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The owner of a cardroom, Maverick Gaming, has petitioned the US Court of Appeals in an effort to end what it sees as a tribal monopoly on sports betting in Washington. The business has submitted an opening brief in an effort to appeal the federal judge’s decision to dismiss its lawsuit in February 2023.
Theodore B. Olsen, head counsel for Maverick Gaming, expressed their resolve, stated, “We respectfully disagree with the district court’s decision to dismiss the case. We have appealed this ruling to the Ninth Circuit and intend to vigorously litigate the case.”
Maverick Gaming claims that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which grants tribes exclusive sports betting rights on their lands, is being administered incorrectly in Washington. The operator also challenges the state’s tribal sports betting compacts.
Maverick Gaming’s legal action, according to Rebecca George, Executive Director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association, is a direct attack on the tribal agreements. She highlights how important it is for these compacts to generate income for native communities.
George explained, “Maverick’s lawsuit is a direct attack on the carefully negotiated Tribal-State Gaming Compacts authorized by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which over the last three decades has been a pathway for tribes to regain their self-reliance.”
Eric Persson, CEO of Maverick Gaming, is adamant about continuing to provide sports betting at the company’s locations despite the legal dispute. He thinks it can be done either by state legislative amendments or a Supreme Court decision.
Persson stated, “I know that our perspective on sports betting is at odds with those who prefer a monopoly for Tribal casinos, but I respect their right to advocate for their members.” He added, “Maverick Gaming will one day offer sports betting at its properties in our state, either following a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States or an inclusive policy discussion by the state legislature that is founded in facts.”
Maverick Gaming is appealing the court’s decision to dismiss the case in a bid to overturn the tribal sports betting monopoly as the legal dispute between the operator and the tribes of Washington State continues. In March 2020, Washington’s tribes were given permission to provide sports betting, but the state’s commercial cardrooms were not given the same ability.
Governor Jay Inslee and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland are among the defendants. They have until September 1 to reply to Maverick Gaming’s complaint. The result of this court dispute will have significant repercussions for Washington’s sports betting environment.