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Claims of sovereign immunity have taken center stage in a legal dispute between an American Indian tribe and a New Mexico man who claims Sandia Resort and Casino failed to pay him a jackpot of nearly $1.6 million last year.

Gary Hoffman is suing for the winnings plus punitive damages, but lawyers for Sandia Pueblo have filed a motion in state District Court asking that the case be dismissed because the pueblo is a sovereign nation and the court lacks jurisdiction.

In addition, they say the slot machine Hoffman played had malfunctioned. Its maximum payout is supposed to be $2,500, they say.

Hoffman's attorney, Sam Bregman of Albuquerque, said he believes the case will end up before the U.S. Supreme Court and could have implications for American Indian gambling across the nation.

"If they get away with this, it will turn Indian gaming on its head," he said.