The Cayuga Nation's case against New York State regarding lottery sales on tribal property has been granted permission by a federal judge.

The Nation contends that it is against federal law and its sovereignty for players to purchase lottery tickets within its reservation, whether via the state-licensed Jackpocket app or New York Lottery vending machines.

According to the lawsuit, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which codifies tribal gaming rights, gives the tribe the sole authority to control how gaming is conducted on its territories.

Chips Adore Tribe

Under the Lakeside Entertainment name, the Nation runs four bingo-style casinos on its reserve.  It contends that New York is unjustly competing with its own business by permitting lottery sales within the reservation.

By claiming the tribe lacked the legal authority to suit under IGRA, the state attempted to have the case dismissed.

Judge Brenda K. Sannes of the US District Court for the Northern District of New York rejected the state's move to dismiss in a ruling dated July 30.

The judge determined that the tribe can still file a lawsuit because it is attempting to halt what it believes to be a persistent violation of federal law on its property, even if IGRA does not expressly grant the Nation the ability to do so.

The decision indicates that the court believes the claims are legally sound and deserving of more investigation, but it does not imply that the Cayuga Nation has won the case.The Nation is asking the judge to declare the state’s lottery operations illegal on its land and to order them to stop.

“The state’s presence on our land, operating Class III gaming, is illegal under federal law,” said Clint Halftown, the federally recognized leader of the Nation, in a statement following the ruling. “We’re standing up for our rights, our businesses, and the integrity of our community.”

App Removed, Officials Stayed

The New York State Gaming Commission, seven of its commissioners, and Jackpocket—a private mobile app that enables users to purchase lottery tickets digitally—were initially mentioned in the case.

Jackpocket was fired after the Nation and the firm came to a separate arrangement, and the Gaming Commission was dropped from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The lawsuits against the specific state gaming authorities are still pending and are currently being pursued.

“We’re not against gaming,” Halftown emphasized. “We’re against illegal gaming on our sovereign land.”