The Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso, Texas. Photo from Facebook
The Tigua Tribe of Texas is back in federal court to defend its sweepstakes operation. The Speaking Rock Entertainment Center and the Socorro Entertainment Center offer electronic machines that reward players with prizes. The tribe says its sweepstakes games are legal but the state claims they aren't allowed. According to news reports of a hearing that began yesterday, state investigators visited the tribe's facilities between 2007 and 2012. They tried to compare the facilities to casinos by saying the rooms were dark and sounded like casinos but otherwise didn't seem to offer any particular expertise on the sweepstakes machines themselves. The tribe used to operate a casino until it was shut down as a result of litigation filed by the state. The federal courts have ruled that the act of Congress that restored the tribe to federal recognition requires them to abide by state gambling laws. Judge Kathleen Cardone will continue the hearing today. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Texas v. Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Get the Story:
Hearing continues in Tiguas gaming case, state seeks shutdown of Speaking Rock (The El Paso Times 10/7)
Texas Attorney General claims illegal gambling uncovered at Speaking Rock (KVIA 10/6)
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