Today, a federal appeals court has ruled against Donald Trump’s Keystone Redevelopment Partners LLC. They rejected a lawsuit brought by Keystone against the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, claiming that the board is immune from suit.

Back in 2006, Keystone was competing with other interests for a casino license in Philadelphia. According to Keystone, the Gaming Control Board discriminated against them in order to favor local businesses. The lawsuit claims that the board was worried that allowing Trump’s company to build a casino in Philadelphia would benefit his casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Worried about competition from the neighboring casino market, the board instead granted the license to a local business, according to the lawsuit.

Today, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the lawsuit against the board, saying that the Gaming Control Board is entitled to immunity. The court said that in order for the board to make their decisions without fear of intimidation or repercussions, they have to be granted immunity from any liability. Therefore, any decision made by the board is final and they are basically above the law.

The ruling by the federal appeals court can be appealed to the Supreme Court. It is not known at this time if that is a course of action Keystone Redevelopment Partners plans to take. At this point, they may decide to cut their losses. If they do, and this case never reaches the Supreme Court, that means the Control Board will enjoy complete immunity and the ability to make whatever decision they want, with no recourse for the affected companies who have millions (or billions) of dollars invested in the decision.

Tags: casino license, gambling licenses, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board