One of Minnesota’s two horse-racing tracks, Running Aces, has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit alleging Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Hinckley, and Treasure Island in Red Wing have offered card games not authorized by the 1988 Compact between the state and Native American tribes.
The lawsuit comes as the push for sports betting legislation ratchets up at the State Capitol with just over four weeks remaining in the session.
Further complicating the dynamic: The Minnesota Racing Commission recently voted to allow at Running Aces and Canterbury Park what are called “historical horse racing” (HHR) machines — which opponents say are basically slot machines and violate state law.
They have bills moving in both the House and Senate to override the Racing Commission’s decision. Officials at Grand Casino and Treasure Island haven’t commented on Running Aces’ lawsuit.