The state of Idaho sued the Coeur d'Alene Tribe last month for alleged violations of the Class III gaming compact but it turns out the state is the party that hasn't followed the agreement.
The lawsuit claims the tribe can't offer poker games at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel. But the state didn't follow the terms of the compact, Judge Lynn Winmill said in a decision on Monday.
Alleged compact violations require binding arbitration, unless the parties agree to a different method of resolution, Winmill noted. The state, instead, "raced" to the courthouse, he said.
If the parties enter arbitration, the state won't be able to sue the tribe in federal court, Winmill said.
Get the Story:
CdA Tribe poker dispute headed for arbitration
(The Spokane Spokesman-Review 6/24)
Judge: Idaho suit over tribal poker defies compact
(AP 6/23)
$P District Court Decision:
Idaho v.
Coeur d'Alene Tribe (June 23, 2014)
Related Stories:
Judge won't stop Coeur d'Alene Tribe
from offering poker game (6/23)