Opponents of Gambling Go to Court 

The opponents of gambling in the State of New York went before the highest court in the state to argue that they don’t want gambling in NY. However, they didn’t know their facts, or they weren’t able to convey them properly for they just couldn’t win their case. Their argument was whether or not the state could enter into compacts with the Indian tribes to open casinos and/or add more slot machines, and whether or not the race tracks could get Video Lottery Terminal revenue. The tracks are having serious financial issues, and without the revenue from the slot machine type terminals will have to close.  

The group had issues with the interpretation of the IGRA (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act). They said, “... there is a conflict in the interpretation of IGRA - whether a state must negotiate with tribes concerning all forms of Class III gaming when it allows any type of Class III gaming, or whether it must only negotiate for the specific games permitted in the state. We do not address this issue as the plaintiffs have challenged the authority to enter into tribal-state compacts in general, rather than the authority to negotiate for particular games."  

However, it was if they just didn’t know their gambling facts. The fact of the matter is the IGRA was passed by Congress and allows for three classifications of gaming. Tribes can have Class III licenses if their state allows them, but only if the state allows them. The group spent their time arguing that the state was breaking the law by entering into compacts with the tribes, and since it is a federal law – they really do have that authority. The Supreme Court simply pointed out to them that if the state permits gambling then the Indians can have gambling as well. It might vary between state to state, and whether it is limited to bingo, or if they can have slot machines and gaming tables.

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