After years of legal battles, a federal judge has brought closure to the longstanding dispute over the tribal casino in the Jamul Indian Village, located in San Diego County. US District Judge Andrew G. Schopler, appointed by President Joe Biden, not only dismissed the latest case against the casino but also imposed sanctions on the plaintiffs, marking an end to the protracted legal saga.

Kumeyaay Native Americans Reveal Historical Dispute in Battle for Tribal Land

The case dates back to the early 1990s when the Kumeyaay Native Americans, residing in the Jamul Indian Village, held an election regarding the construction of a casino and a hotel on their tribal land. The decision led to a series of legal challenges initiated by a group opposing the construction, which persisted over the years.

In his ruling issued on February 29, Judge Schopler emphasized the frivolous nature of the plaintiffs’ claims, citing over 20 failed lawsuits with shifting and meritless arguments, reported Courthouse News Service. Judge Schopler accused the plaintiffs of pursuing the case in bad faith, solely for harassment purposes, and ordered all attorney fees to be borne by the plaintiffs.

The core of the legal battle revolved around allegations that the construction of the casino infringed upon ancestral burial grounds, owned by the Roman Catholic Church of San Diego. The plaintiffs contended that the transfer of the cemetery plot to the Village was fraudulent, and orchestrated to evade responsibility for desecration.

Federal Judge Ends Lawsuit Against Tribal Village, Urges Plaintiffs to Cease Legal Pursuits

However, Judge Schopler dismantled these arguments, highlighting the plaintiffs’ misunderstanding of state laws and failure to prove fraudulent transfer. Moreover, he pointed out a critical legal flaw: the absence of the Village as a defendant, despite its indispensable status. As a federally recognized tribe, the Village enjoys sovereign immunity, rendering it immune to lawsuits.

Consequently, Judge Schopler dismissed the case and cautioned against further legal pursuits by the plaintiffs and their attorneys, warning of escalating financial penalties. Expressing hope for a definitive resolution, he urged the plaintiffs to accept their losses and cease litigation.

Last year the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC) expanded its Jamul Casino with a luxurious 16-story hotel boasting 200 rooms, including 52 suites, alongside extensive amenities such as a rooftop pool deck, restaurant with scenic views, retail space, meeting areas, spa, and fitness center. 

Linked by a pedestrian sky bridge, the hotel aimed to elevate the gambling experience. The expansion reflected JIVDC’s strategic growth plan following a substantial loan, with Chair Erica Pinto emphasizing the economic benefits for the tribal nation and local community, while casino president Mary Cheeks anticipated enhanced competitiveness in the leisure market.

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For starters, the Menominee Indian Tribe wants to work in partnership with Hard Rock, the brand owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which recently launched sports betting in the Sunshine State despite strong local opposition.

The collaboration between the two was previously known, but the Menominee Indian Tribe is hoping to elicit a stronger response from lawmakers on whose goodwill the proposed project hinges. A vote at the city council authorizing the sale of a crucial piece of land to the tribe was due earlier this year, but the process was eventually postponed, and the issue has hit a hiatus.

Menominee Indian Tribe Resolved about Kenosha Casino

Now, tribal leaders want to associate themselves with the prominent brand and bring about a 70,000-square-foot casino which will house 1,500 slot machines along with 55 live dealer table games and a dedicated sportsbook.

Sports betting is available in Wisconsin through a tribal compact negotiated with the state, allowing the Menominee Indian Tribe to run sports betting operations. Holding onto this opportunity, the tribe now wants to secure a partnership that will see its investment pay off.

Spending $360 million on a casino resort seems intuitive to the tribe, and the right way to ensure the sustainability of tribal operations and the community they serve. Commenting on the new project, Menominee Kenosha Gaming Authority chairman Joey Awonohopay noted that the time to move forward with this project felt right.

“The plan is to build it all out immediately. We intend to secure funding to build it all out,” he added. Interestingly, this is not the first time the tribe has tried to establish a casino resort, nor is it the most grandiose design to begin with.

Earlier attempts to see the Menominee Tribe establish a casino were snubbed by Gov. Scott Walker who took a dim view of allowing gambling to proliferate on his watch. The Menominee Tribe’s eye-watering $800 million investment did not prove enough to sway the governor and change his mind.

Although the exact price tag of the new investment is now established, there are hurdles to clear as well. The tribe would have to convince Kenosha to sell it 60 acres of city-owned land, expanding the tribe’s sovereignty this way, but it’s not that simple, as the purchase itself is not enough to put the land under the tribe’s sovereignty alone, and the federal government would have to step in.

Negotiating a New Tribal Compact

Should this plan clear, the tribe would also need to accomplish what it couldn’t under Walker’s watch – ask for Class III permission to run gambling operations in the state. The current governor, Tony Evers, seems to be a little less gung-ho when it comes to gambling, but whether the Menominee Tribe convinces him is another matter altogether.

Awonohopay is confident that the tribe is indeed going to bring a lot of value to the city and the state, and the Menominee Tribe is moving forward to publicize its plans in the hopes of raising awareness for the project and the argued benefits therein.

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The leading marketing company operating within the iGaming industry, ENV Media, announced it joined forces with the research-based management consulting company operating out of India, Dubai, as well as Indonesia, Ken Research. The new collaboration will see Ken Research conduct surveys, as well as case studies regarding the gambling market in India.

While monthly case studies will be issued, overall, the series of surveys are expected to run for one year. Upon completion of the surveys, Ken Research will prepare reports that reflect different topics regarding player behavior for customers in India. Additionally, the research will probe a wide range of topics, including gambling demand in the country.

The new research is expected to deliver invaluable insights regarding the market in India. At the same time, the studies are expected to grant ENV Media access to strategic information regarding the industry in the country, including product demand and player behavior.

The new collaboration comes at a time when lawmakers in India seek to implement higher taxes for online gambling activities. A proposal recently approved by the country’s Goods and Service Tax Council confirmed the implementation of an increased 28% tax, applicable for online gambling, casinos, as well as horse racing.

Namit Goel, Ken Research’s head of research, explained that the company is delighted to team up with ENV Media. He explained that the new collaboration brings together two companies with extensive experience within the iGaming vertical. At the same time, Goel predicted that the collaboration will deliver “actionable insights for the iGaming industry.”

“Our deep understanding of consumer behavior will support ENV’s data-driven approach and deliver systematic market intelligence, empowering the online gaming vertical.“

Namit Goel, head of research at Ken Research

According to Goel, Ken Research will bring important insights for ENV Media. Finally, he pointed out: “This kind of output will unlock new opportunities, enhance customer experiences and shape the future of a rapidly evolving industry.”

“We believe we need to expand our expertise and authority in the gaming vertical through primary insights into user traits, product demand and market dynamics.“

Svilen Madjov, head of research at ENV Media

Svilen Madjov, ENV Media’s head of research, spoke about the importance of insights into the gambling vertical via research that can have a positive impact on expansion and product delivery. Finally, he predicted that the collaboration with Ken Research will bring benefits to ENV Media.

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