Idaho Supreme Court backs lower court decision dismissing challenge to tribal gaming machines

Idaho court upholds decision to toss gaming suit

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld a lower court decision to toss out a lawsuit aimed at removing tribal video gaming machines from the Fort Hall Casino.

The lawsuit was filed against the state in 2008 by Wendy Knox and Richard Dotson, who argued the gaming machines at the tribal casino violate the Idaho Constitution’s prohibition on gambling. Knox and Dotson say they became compulsive gamblers who lost tens of thousands of dollars, their jobs and home by playing at the casino.

Fort Hall Casino is located on tribal land and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Tribal gaming was approved by voters as a ballot initiative in 2001.

Seventh District Judge Darren Simpson dismissed the lawsuit, ruling the eastern Idaho couple lacked standing. The justices unanimously agreed in a ruling issued Friday.