enterprises in Indian Country. OIGA’s purpose is to educate and disseminate information to tribal, federal, and state governments and the general public on issues relating to tribal gaming. SMGHA is a governmental instrumentality of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation created to independently carry out the investment in, and ownership and management of, gaming and hospitality businesses outside of the San Manuel Reservation. The Amici Tribes are 21 federally recognized Indian Tribes within the meaning of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (“IGRA”). See 25 U.S.C. § 2703(5). Each of the Amici Tribes is a separate and distinct tribal government with the sovereign authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities on its Indian lands. The Amici Tribes all have a direct and immediate interest in maintaining their sovereign rights over gaming, including sports betting, on their Indian lands. Together, the Tribal Amici all have a shared, strong interest in this case because of its potential to have a significant impact on their or their member tribes’ rights regarding gaming on Indian lands, as well as Indian gaming and tribal governmental revenue as a whole. Such revenue is vital and provides funding for essential government services, tribal programs, and economic development needed to reach the goals of self-governance and self-sufficiency. ARGUMENT The Local Rules for this Court do not provide the procedure for or address the propriety of amicus briefs. See generally Local Rules of Court, United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee (May 15, 2025). In absence of clear governing standards, this Court has looked to Rule 29 of the Federal Rules of Appellate procedure for guidance. Rule 29 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure instructs that an “amicus curiae may file a brief only by leave of court or if the brief states that all parties have consented to its filing.” Fed. R. App. P. 29(a)(2). A motion for leave to file an amicus brief “must be accompanied by the proposed brief and state: (A)
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NSH 3426322.2
Case 3:26-cv-00034 Document 40 Filed 01/23/26 Page 4 of 9 PageID #: 432
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