Canadian tribe sues province

Manitoba tribes have sued the provincial government for blocking a casino relocation.

Canada.- The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) issued a statement on Tuesday in which the tribe claimed that the provincial government and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MLL) blocked tribal gaming operators from the Winnipeg market.

The tribes said that the Winnipeg market is the only one in Manitoba where casinos can generate a significant amount of revenue. Last year, Manitoba’s Premier Brian Pallister rejected plans to allow operators of the Aseneskak Casino to shift operations from tribal land to a venue near the Assiniboia Downs racetrack. AMC’s former Grand Chief had then accused the government of favoring partnerships with private operators as they should be the ones with the priority to open new venues in the city.

The lawsuit was filed by the operator of a Carberry tribal casino, Sands Hills Casino Resort Limited Partnership, which is seeking approximately US$700 million in damages. They’re also asking the Court to approve the relocation to the Winnipeg region and an injunction that bans other non-tribal casinos in Winnipeg, among other things.