Judge Says Tribe Provision In New Casino Law Is Constitutional

The preference for a Native American tribe to win at least one casino license under the state's new gambling law is constitutional, according to a ruling by a federal judge in Boston Friday.

The decision comes in a lawsuit filed by a developer just hours after Gov. Deval Patrick signed the casino legislation into law.

The firm KG Urban Enterprises wants to win approval for a casino in New Bedford. But in its lawsuit, the company claimed it's at an unfair disadvantage due to race.

But Judge Nathaniel Gorton has ruled that's not the case.

His ruling says the law simply establishes a procedure for tribes covered by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to bid on a Massachusetts license.

The ruling says the law makes sure tribes are treated the same way by both the federal and state laws.