Gamblers’ suits test Indians’ sovereignty over tribal casinos

[...] gamblers have limited options to press claims of mistreatment at American Indian-owned properties, which generally are shielded from lawsuits in outside courts by laws recognizing tribes’ sovereignty.

[...] a pair of lawsuits in federal courts are testing the principle of tribal immunity in cases involving allegations of abuse and bias in tribal justice systems.

“You do not have a level playing field,” said Stanford Wong, a Las Vegas gambling expert who advises readers of his newsletters to be aware that tribal properties are governed by their own laws.

In 2013, tribal casinos generated $28.3 billion in revenue while commercial properties had $37.7 billion, according to the Casino City research firm.