Case 2:25-cv-01541-APG-DJA Document 32 Filed 09/30/25 Page 2 of 21
STATEMENT OF INTEREST
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The Indian Gaming Association (“IGA”), California Nations Indian Gaming Association
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(“CNIGA”), Arizona Indian Gaming Association (“AIGA”), Washington Indian Gaming
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Association (“WIGA”), National Congress of American Indians (“NCAI”), Tribal Alliance of
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Sovereign Indian Nations (“TASIN”), San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority
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(“SMGHA”), United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (“USET SPF”), and
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23 federally recognized Indian Tribes (“Amici Tribes”) 1 (collectively, “Tribal Amici”), submit this brief as amici curiae.
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As described more fully in their Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief, the Tribal Amici
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all have a shared, strong interest in this case because of its potential to have a significant impact on
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their or their member tribes’ rights regarding gaming on Indian lands, as well as Indian gaming and
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tribal governmental revenue as a whole. Such revenue is vital and provides funding for essential
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government services, tribal programs, and economic development needed to reach the goals of
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self-governance and self-sufficiency.
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ARGUMENT
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Indian tribes are sovereign nations with primary jurisdiction over their lands and the
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activities occurring on their lands. In accordance with this principle, both the United States
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Supreme Court and Congress have recognized tribes’ inherent and exclusive sovereign right to
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conduct and regulate gaming on their Indian lands. California v. Cabazon Band of Mission
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Indians , 480 U.S. 202 (1987); 25 U.S.C. § 2701(5). The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (“IGRA”)
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was enacted to provide a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for tribal gaming, including
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1 The Amici Tribes include: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; Bay Mills Indian Community; Blue Lake Rancheria; Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California; Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon; Elk Valley Rancheria; Guidiville Rancheria of California; Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin; Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; Lytton Rancheria of California; Mashantucket Pequot Indian Tribe; Morongo Band of Mission Indians; Pechanga Band of Indians; Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians; Pueblo of Sandia; Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians; Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Shingle Springs Rancheria (Verona Tract); Table Mountain Rancheria; Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of California; and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
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