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Minnesota debates electronic gaming at card clubs
Minnesota’s highest court is now deciding a tricky gambling case involving electronic card games, sparking a lot of debate.
The debate is between Native American tribes and a suburban card club called Running Aces, located just outside Minneapolis-St. Paul. Running Aces introduced electronic gaming tables that use touchscreen technology to simulate popular card games like blackjack and baccarat. Instead of real dealers, players interact with these digital tables.
But the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which runs a nearby tribal casino, says these machines break state rules. They argue the electronic tables are digital slot machines, which only tribal casinos are allowed to operate.
On the other hand, Running Aces insists there are no breaches. Their lawyer says these electronic tables don’t qualify as gambling devices under Minnesota’s regulations. They also say there’s no solid proof these machines are stealing customers from tribal casinos.
The Minnesota Racing Commission approved Running Aces’ plan to add these tables, but the Sioux tribe challenged this, claiming the club went over its legal limit of 80 card tables. Lower courts have sided with the commission, but the Supreme Court is now questioning how the law defines a “table” and whether electronic versions fit the bill.
The final ruling, expected later this year, could completely change the regulation of electronic gambling across Minnesota.
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