Minnesota Supreme Court decision allows Running Aces electronic table games despite tribal challenge

January 31, 2026 - 20:16

A deadlocked Minnesota Supreme Court has effectively permitted the Running Aces Casino to continue operating electronic table games, delivering a setback to tribal gaming interests. The court’s 3-3 split decision automatically upholds a lower court’s ruling in favor of the card room and harness track, allowing its expansion of electronic gaming options.

The legal challenge was brought by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which operates the nearby Mystic Lake Casino. The tribe argued that the expansion at Running Aces violated the state’s tribal gaming compacts, which grant tribes exclusive rights to offer casino-style games. They contended that electronic table games, such as digital blackjack and roulette, fall under this exclusivity.

By affirming the prior ruling, the Supreme Court let stand the conclusion that these specific electronic games are permissible under Running Aces’ existing card room license. The decision highlights ongoing tensions in Minnesota’s gaming landscape between tribal exclusivity and the operations of non-tribal card rooms. The outcome is a significant development for Running Aces, located in Columbus, which can now maintain this revenue stream without further legal impediment from this particular challenge. The evenly divided court offers no written opinion, leaving the lower court’s reasoning as the final word on the matter.