Ho-Chunk Nation loses arbitration decision for electronic poker

Thursday, June 14, 2012  

The Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin is evaluating its options after losing an arbitration ruling on an electronic poker game.

The tribe installed eight poker machines at Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, a Class II facility, last November. A February 2009 opinion from the National Indian Gaming Commission classified the games as Class II.

But the arbitrator determined that the machines fall into the Class III category. The tribe's compact limits Class III games to certain facilities, of which Madison is not included.

"At this time, the Nation plans to continue to offer Class II poker while they work cooperatively with the state to resolve the issue," the tribe said in a statement, WMTV reported.

Get the Story:
Ho-Chunk Madison no longer able to offer electronic poker (The Wisconsin State Journal 6/14)
Ho-Chunk Nation To Continue Class II Poker At Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison Despite Arbitrator's Opinion (WMTV 6/13)

Relevant Documents:
NIGC Game Classification Opinion (February 26, 2009)