A federal judge has ruled the Tigua tribe's sweepstakes game violates a previous injunction that closed down Speaking Rock Casino and prohibits the tribe from hosting gambling activities on its property.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone ordered Tigua officials to cease all gaming operations and submit a proposal for a sweepstakes that operates in accordance to state and federal laws. The tribe will be fined $100,000 per day if they do not stop gaming operations.
The tribe says the sweepstakes games helps pay for tribe members' college tuition, day care and health care. The ruling notes that the tribe received about $30 million in proceeds from the sweepstakes in 2012 and 2013.
An attorney for the tribe says that they are "very happy" with the ruling. He argues the ruling doesn't say the tribe did anything illegal, only that they should have asked for permission before starting the sweepstakes.
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Information from: El Paso Times, http://www.elpasotimes.com
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