Thought The Arizona Sports Betting Lawsuits Were Over? Surprise: You Were Wrong

Written By John Holden on September 16, 2021Last Updated on January 30, 2025
Yavapai Prescott Files Amended Complaint Arizona Sports Betting

When Maricopa Superior Court Judge James Smith rejected the request for a primary lawsuit earlier this month, many believed that the dispute over Arizona sports betting certificates was resolved.

Those people were likely taken by surprise when the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe (YPIT) returned.

Just two days following that resolution, the YPIT lodged a shelter recognition notice. A modified complaint from the tribe was received two days later, coinciding with the day Arizona legalized gambling.

The outcome of Arizona sports gambling, which opened on September 9, may be decided. Nonetheless, the YPIT has made another attempt.

What exactly is a sea of shelter?

The term used in legal parlance for submitting something to the court is a notice of lodging. This often occurs when a recorded document filed in court lacks an exhibit that is referred to within it.

In this case, the Notice of Lodging docket entry shows that the tribe was lodging Robert Gazzam Ogo’s deposition.

The rejection of the injunctive relief activity

The filing provides an insight into Smith’s 12-page verdict after the emergency hearing of Yavapai-Prescott on Sept. 5. Smith ruled that it was improbable for YPIT to succeed based on the merits of any claims they brought up.

Smith pointed out that the following stage in deciding if an order is suitable involves examining possible irreparable harm. Yet, the person making the claim must first demonstrate that their case has prospects for success. Despite this, the prosecutor stated:

Due to imaginary decreases in income, The Tribe did not identify a substantial risk of disastrous damage.

Smith found that when evaluating a motion for an interim restraining order or injunction, the balance of hardships would seemingly tip in favor of YPIT. However, it appears improbable that the community will succeed in challenging the legality of the law.

After considering the open policy issues, Smith chose not to proceed with the YPIT.

On a second attempt, Yavapai-Prescott is betting on AZ sports.

Despite the failure of its initial attempt, the YPIT filed an amended problem with the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County on September 9.

The revised issue names the Governor, similar to the initial case. The plaintiffs are Ted Vogt, who is the chairman of the Arizona Department of Gaming, and Doug Ducey.

Similarly, the assertions about the case’s venue and the court’s jurisdiction remain unchanged.

The updated objection includes a sentence that states:

Attorney General Mark Brnovich states that Class III gaming encompasses electronic or electromechanical replicas of any game of chance or slot machines, along with event betting and fantasy sports betting.

a discernible difference

The YPIT’s amended complaint also includes a statement from the 2002 Arizona Proposition 202, which asserts that gaming revenues have been instrumental in providing economic opportunities to the state’s tribal communities.

The updated complaint incorporates additional details regarding the scope of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and refers to the provisions of Proposition 202.

The tribe shall remind neighboring communities of any new or significant modifications to gambling facilities and may develop procedures for discussion with those communities regarding new and substantial modifications( emphasis in original ). These facilities may be located on the Indian lands of the Tribe.

Does Proposition 202 solve the Yavapai-Prescott problem?

Indeed, the YPIT provides extensive discussion about limiting gaming to tribal land in the legislative history of the measure’s passing. This was prominently detailed in the amended complaint.

Despite the amended complaint holding a plethora of new, friendly information, the fundamental question remains whether the law was enacted within the government’s jurisdiction or if Arizona’s gaming expansion requires voter approval.

What should one consider about the amended Yavapai-Prescott issue?

The revised complaint from YPIT alleges that the governor’s office proposed an agreement to the tribe to modify the compacts previously signed by nine other tribes at a 2016 meeting. The new compact was the topic of discussion at this meeting. However, the community claims they were never provided an opportunity to negotiate. Furthermore, YPIT states that the governor’s business is:

“& ldquo demanded that the company enter into a non-disclosure agreement to prevent the data provided to YPIT from being shared with other Tribes who were not present at the meeting and vice versa.

Nonetheless, the YPIT faces significant challenges in its second attempt to restore the Arizona sports betting scene to its status before September 9.

The revised issue appears to address some of the deficiencies Smith highlighted in his previous decision. Crucial unanswered questions remain, including whether the adjustments are substantial enough to create change, and if it’s possible to rein in sports betting once again.

The amended complaint from the Yavapai – Prescott introduces several serious new allegations. However, it is uncertain whether these will be enough to generate a distinct result.

AP / Mat York photo
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