Associated Press – A divided Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Michigan can’t block the opening of an off-reservation American Indian casino because the state’s legal challenge is barred by tribal sovereign immunity. In a 5-4 decision, the high court said the state could not shutter the Bay Mills Indian Community’s casino about 90 miles south of its Upper Peninsula reservation. The ruling was a win for Indian tribes, which have increasingly looked to casinos as a source of revenue and have relied on immunity to shield them from government interference. But it’s a disappointment for Michigan and more than a…

NJ.com – So many people I know are excited about “March Madness” and this weekend’s NCAA “Final Four” in college basketball. The tournament lends itself to wagering that results in big bucks for a place like Las Vegas. I read somewhere that their hotel occupancy rates are above 90 percent when this tournament is taking place. Recently, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, along with Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian, spoke of the benefits of having legal sports betting in New Jersey. Atlantic City could see results similar to Las Vegas, with college basketball fans from up and down the East…

North Jersey – As Fort Lauderdale sports law attorney Daniel L. Wallach has spotted, the U.S. Supreme Court last week filed an order extending the time to file responses in the potential landmark sports betting case from March 17 until April 21. Wallach notes that the extension could mean no resolution before the end of the June term, so backers – and opponents – may need to be patient. The extension happens to come the day after Easter, so the last workweek day before the deadline is Good Friday. I wonder if that will mean a quicker filing so that…

Las Vegas Review Journal – The Supreme Court will not disturb the criminal conviction of a New York man whose underground poker game ran afoul of a federal anti-gambling law. The justices on Monday rejected an appeal from Lawrence DiCristina, who said his twice-a-week games of Texas Hold ‘em should not be covered by the federal Illegal Gambling Businesses Act. DiCristina said the law targets games of chance, like lotteries, slot machines and dice, but not poker, which is a game of skill. Bridge and Scrabble players weighed in on DiCristina’s behalf, worrying they could be targeted under a federal…

In a unanimous opinion, the Kentucky Supreme Court made a decision on so called Instant Racing. They ruled that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has the legal authority to regulate wagers on previously run horse races presented on electronic gambling machines — but that the legality of the wagers themselves has yet to be established. The court said the case must go back to Franklin Circuit Court, where it originated, to determine whether “the licensed operation of wagering on historical horse racing as contemplated by (the racetracks and the state) constitutes a parimutuel form of wagering.” The court also reversed…

Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Fifty-five million Americans play poker, but now the Supreme Court could weigh in on whether your basement poker game is a federal crime. Under Georgia law, betting on hands of poker, even around your kitchen table with friends, is illegal. Robert Costner regularly hosts poker parties for as many as 100 people in Virginia, a state where it’s legal to play for cash at home. “Why does the federal government care?” said Costner. “It’s not organized crime. It’s not the mob, it’s just some guys getting together having fun.” But the Supreme Court could soon step in….

Governor Christie and the state Attorney General’s office have filed the New Jersey sports betting appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the court to overturn a 22-year-old federal law that is preventing New Jersey racetracks and Atlantic City’s casinos from offering sports betting. The state’s thoroughbred horsemen, who also have standing in the case on the side of New Jersey, also have filed. The response from the Dept of Justice, NFL, et al is due March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day). NOTE: SCOTUS not expected to make a decision on whether to take the case (they take relatively few) until…