Shoalwater Bay Tribe in Washington State Seeks Dismissal of Sports Betting Lawsuit

Throughout the U.S. the sports betting industry has exceeded all expectations in terms of sports betting revenue. That’s true for pretty much every state that has already legalized sports betting in their respective states. With so much money on the line in each state for sports betting operators, a lot of in-fighting is starting to become a reality.

The basis for the in-fighting always seems to focus on which entities art being licensed to offer retail and mobile sports betting activities. Yes, said licensing is being handled a little differently, something the U.S. Supreme Court promoted when they decided the legalization of sports betting is a state’s right issue.

In the state of Washington, legislatures decided to legalize retail sports betting with the state’s 28 Indian Tribes having the right to request licenses. As one would imagine, that legal decision is not sitting well with entities that are not part of the state’s Tribal communities.

One outside entity has filed a lawsuit to challenge the state’s authority to give a “sports betting monopoly” to the state of Washington’s Indian Tribes. That outside entity is Maverick Gaming.

About the Maverick Gaming Lawsuit

Maverick Gaming’s standing in the state of Washinton is related to the fact this entity operates a few poker rooms within the state of Washinton’s legal boundaries. They too would like to secure licensing so they can also offer retail sports betting for their customers.

At issue is the current compacts that exist between the state and the state’s Tribal Community as a whole. Per provision in the compact, the state’s Indian Tribes have been given the exclusive right to offer both in-state casino gambling and now retail sports betting.

According to the lawsuit filed in both federal and state courts, Maverick Gaming believes these compacts are illegal. Furthermore, the lawsuit sites that the Tribes effectively have a commerce monopoly, something that is illegal by state law.

It’s worth noting that Maverick Gaming has lobbied in the past to gain access to sports betting licensing but to no avail. While this lawsuit fails to name even one specific Tribe, it is assumed that all of the Tribes are being collectively targeted.

The Shoalwater Bay Tribe’s Response to the Lawsuit

Clearly, the state of Washington’s Tribes is quite happy having exclusive access to the state’s sports bettors. It’s equally clear they are willing to fight to protect these rights. That is why the Shoalwater Bat Tribe has filed a request in federal court to have this lawsuit dismissed in wholesale. The bases for this request is the contention that the lawsuit is a frivolous attempt to work around a sports betting legal framework that has already been established by the state legislature.

The basis for this dismissal request is centered on the fact the Tribe believes they are one of the targets of the lawsuit. Based on the Sovereign Status awarded as a recognized American Indian Tribe, they are immune from such lawsuits. They further cited the Tribe and others would be severely damaged by an adverse ruling on this lawsuit.

Responses from the courts are pending.