Colorado’s two federally regulated tribes aren’t giving up their fight for what they believe is their right to operate sports betting sites on tribal land. The tribes have filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit after their original lawsuit against the state of Colorado was dismissed last month.
Lawyers for the tribes argue that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) gives them the right to operate gambling on tribal land. They believe that refusal to allow this violates the gaming compact the state government signed with the tribes.
State officials counter that to operate a sports betting facility in Colorado, the tribes must pay the same 10% of all revenue earned, as all other sportsbook operators in the state do.
Six months after the state of Colorado approved legal and regulated retail and online sports betting in 2020, both the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes launched sports betting platforms through their tribal casinos.
Colorado tribes were ordered to shut down their sportsbooks
The Southern Ute Tribe operated the Sky Ute SportsBook through its Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colorado. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe launched a separate platform at its Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc, Colorado.
However, within weeks of opening, both sportsbooks received a letter from the Colorado Division of Gaming (CODOG).
"[W]e believe that your company is participating in sports betting in Colorado on behalf of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe without complying with Colorado gaming law," the letter read.
Tribal leaders countered by shutting down their sportsbooks and then filing suit against the Colorado government in federal court. However, Judge Gordon Gallagher
dismissed the case.
"Colorado explicitly authorized sports betting, a Class III game, throughout the state," read a joint press release from the tribes following the judge's decision. "But the State immediately stymied the ability of the Tribes to engage in that activity despite clear authorization under the Gaming Compacts.”
This argument is forming the basis for the appeal filed by the two tribes.
A favorable ruling for Colorado’s tribes could have far-reaching impact
An issue in this case is whether a tribe can offer online sports betting from servers located on tribal land to customers not situated on tribal land. This is exactly the type of sports betting that is currently operating in Florida. Wisconsin legislators are slated to vote on legalizing a similar style of sports betting in that state early next year.
However, no federally recognized tribe has won the right to provide online sports betting in this manner in a state where there is legal and regulated sports betting offered through state regulators.
If the Colorado tribes were to win this appeal, it would set legal precedent that would certainly encourage tribes in other states to follow suit and launch online sports betting through servers on tribal land.
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
20+ sports available for wagering
Pre-match and in-play betting
Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Promo Code:
BETBONUSMGM
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Over 20 sports
Extensive betting markets
Live betting feature
Bet Now
Find out more on bet365's website
Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
Cashout
yes
Partial Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Bet Now
Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
FanDuel Review
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Related Articles on betting.net™
+9
