A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Cayuga Nation, rejecting an attempt by the New York State Gaming Commission to dismiss a lawsuit over gaming operations on the Nation’s land.
The July 30 decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York allows the Cayuga Nation to proceed with its claims, which allege that the state is illegally operating Class III gaming activities—such as PowerBall and Mega Millions—on the Nation’s federally recognized 64,015-acre reservation without a valid compact or tribal consent.
The court found it has jurisdiction to hear the case and rejected arguments that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) limited the Nation’s ability to bring its claims in federal court. The ruling stated that IGRA’s provisions are “judicially administrable” and do not restrict a court from exercising equitable jurisdiction.
According to the Nation, lottery vending machines and terminals operated by the state constitute Class III gaming, which under IGRA, requires both tribal consent and a federally approved compact.
“The Cayuga Nation has exercised its sovereign authority to regulate gaming on its Reservation under IGRA,” said Clint Halftown, the Nation’s federally recognized representative. “New York State’s operation of Class III gaming on the Nation’s reservation is illegal and needs to be discontinued. It unfairly competes with the Nation’s casinos and is a clear violation of federal and Nation law.”
Halftown said the lawsuit is about defending tribal sovereignty and enforcing federal law. “This is about standing up for our rights and protecting the integrity of our laws, our businesses, and our community,” he said.
The ruling marks a major step forward in the Nation’s effort to assert control over gaming on its land.
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