Indian Gaming > State, tribe in dispute over 'PlayAway' game

July 27, 2005

State, tribe in dispute over 'PlayAway' game

The state of Connecticut and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation are in disagreement over the legality of a casino game.

The "PlayAway" game allows people to buy tickets at the casino and then go online to determine if they won. The prize must then be collected at the casino.

State attorney general Richard Blumenthal says the game violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. He says the law doesn't allow gaming off Indian lands.

The tribe has pulled the game but disagrees with the interpretation. Tribal officials say PlayAway is not a form of Internet gaming and is fully legal. The tribe hopes to restart the game soon.

The Hartford Courant criticizes the tribe for offering the game. "Instead of proceeding with plans to restart the game next week, Foxwoods should admit its mistake and shut down this back-door attempt to expand gambling off the reservation, onto the Internet and into the lives of children," the paper said in an editorial.

Get the Story:
Connecticut Casino Hopes to Save Online Game (The New York Times 7/27)
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Foxwoods Hopes To Put PlayAway Back Online (The New London Day 7/27)
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Foxwoods faces questions about Internet game (The Norwich Bulletin 7/27)
State, Casino At Odds Over Online Game (The Hartford Courant 7/27)
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Editorial: Cancel This Game (The Hartford Courant 7/27)
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Foxwoods ordered to remove Internet gambing portal (AP 7/25)