Published on: January 27, 2026, 08:08h.
Updated on: January 27, 2026, 08:08h.
- Dealer-assist table games at a Minnesota racino are permitted to continue
- The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed a previous ruling regarding the stadium table games
The Minnesota Supreme Court has confirmed an earlier appellate court ruling that favored the Running Aces Casino Hotel Racetrack, allowing its dealer-assist table games to operate at the Columbus racino.
In 2023, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which oversees the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino located about 15 miles southwest of Minneapolis, initiated legal action against Running Aces and the Minnesota Racing Commission, alleging that dealer-assisted table games infringe upon tribal exclusivity regarding electronic gaming.
In a tied 3-3 decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court’s stalemate maintains the Court of Appeals’ view that dealer-assist pertains to card-based table gaming rather than electronic gaming. Running Aces is one of only two racetracks in Minnesota authorized to host card games.
Associate Justice Theodora Gaitas recused herself from this case as she had previously been involved while serving on the Court of Appeals. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in April 2024 by Governor Tim Walz (D).
Understanding Dealer-Assist
Dealer-assist, often referred to as “stadium gaming,” allows numerous players to partake in a single table game arranged in a stadium-style seating. A live dealer manages the actual cards or dice, while participants place their bets via electronic touch-screen terminals. Outcomes from the physical cards or dice are displayed on video monitors.
These terminals facilitate faster gameplay and manage payouts, accommodating lower bets, thus creating a more comfortable experience for novice players who may be hesitant about making mistakes that could annoy others at the table.
At Running Aces, two dealer-assist games are available: Aces Live and Community Card Blackjack. Aces Live is a variant of five-card draw poker with multiples decks, allowing bets starting at 50 cents per hand. Community Card Blackjack features $1 blackjack with no commission or ante.
“This game enables players to sit at individual terminals and engage without facing pressure,” states the racino’s website.
Reasoning of the Court Not Disclosed
In a summary of the ruling that affirmed the lower court decision, Associate Justice Sarah Hennesy indicated that since the court was evenly divided 3-3, no opinion would be released.
“As we are evenly split on the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s request to annul the Racing Commission’s decision, we uphold the Court of Appeals’ ruling on the other issues without expressing any judgement on the merits,” Hennesy stated.
Evan Nelson, the attorney for Running Aces, expressed satisfaction with the ruling.
“This is a crucial aspect of the card room for Running Aces. This innovative technology allows perhaps a new generation of players to enjoy card games in an interactive way,” Nelson remarked.
Conversely, the tribe maintains a different stance.
“We believe that these games clearly violate Minnesota law,” the tribe stated in a release.