Indian tribes have sued Manitoba’s provincial government for blocking their efforts to move tribal casino operations to the Winnipeg area.

On Tuesday, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) filed a statement of claim with the Court of Queen’s Bench, accusing the provincial government and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MLL) of blocking tribal gaming operators from the Winnipeg market, “the only market in Manitoba where casinos can generate significant revenue.”

One year ago, Manitoba’s newly elected Premier Brian Pallister unequivocally rejected plans by the operators of the Aseneskak Casino to shift their operations from tribal land near The Pas to a spot near the Assiniboia Downs racetrack just outside Winnipeg.

In response, Derek Nepinak, AMC’s then-Grand Chief, accused the government of illegally favoring partnerships with private operators such as True North Sports & Entertainment, which was allowed to open the Shark Club Gaming Centre in downtown Winnipeg in 2013, despite the AMC’s understanding that tribes had first dibs on any new gaming venues in the city.