Supreme Court considers petition in Pueblo casino jackpot case

Tuesday, August 17, 2010  

The U.S. Supreme Court to will consider a petition in Hoffman v. Sandia Resort and Casino next month.

Gary Hoffman, a non-Indian, claims he won $1.6 million on a slot machine at Sandia Resort and Casino. But Sandia Pueblo said the machine malfunctioned.

Hoffman sued in state court but the lawsuit was dismissed based on the tribe's sovereign immunity. His attorney says gaming should not be used to shield the tribe.

“Tribes spend millions of dollars every year to lure non-Native Americans onto their grounds to gamble in a commercial casino environment,” attorney Sam Bregman told the Associated Press. “Then when someone feels they've been cheated, they say, 'Sorry, you can't sue us.”'

The petition will be considered at a closed-door conference on September 27. Elena Kagan, the newest justice, will take part in the proceeding.

Get the Story:
Casino Lawsuit - NM slot malfunction submitted to Supreme Court (AP 8/17)

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