Judge tells Ho-Chunk Nation to stop offering electronic poker


A view of the gaming floor at the Ho-Chunk Gaming facility in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo from Facebook

The Ho-Chunk Nation can't offer electronic poker games at one of its gaming facilities in Wisconsin, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

The tribe installed PokerPro at the Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison. A February 2009 opinion from the National Indian Gaming Commission determined that the devices fall into the Class II category, outside of state control.

Judge Barbara Crabb, however, said the machines fall Into the Class III category. Since Class III gaming isn't allowed at Madison, the tribe must remove the games, she concluded.

"Because it is undisputed that the compact between the parties prohibits class III games under the circumstances of this case, I am granting the state’s motion for summary judgment and enjoining Ho-Chunk Nation from offering electronic poker at the Madison gaming facility," Crabb wrote in the decision.

Get the Story:
Judge rules that Ho-Chunk's Madison casino must remove video poker games (The Wisconsin State Journal 6/13)

Related Stories
Ho-Chunk Nation defends legality of electronic poker game (5/16)

Join the Conversation