Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians claim approval is needed by state and federal government
The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California and Station Casinos are aiming to open a new $725m casino on October 28 in Madera County, but a federal judge could yet rule that a nearby tribe can keep the casino from offering gambling.
Upon completion, the North Fork Project will feature a 100,000-square-foot casino with over 2,000 slot and video poker machines and 40 table games, including blackjack, Pai Gow, and Three-card Poker. In addition, the property will feature dining and beverage options, parking, and easy and convenient access from Highway 99.
US District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff has been presented though with complaints from the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, with a ruling expected any day. Picayune, which owns Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino, claims that the National Indian Gaming Commission acted unlawfully when it greenlit North Fork’s 2024 management contract with Station Casinos and wants the contract anulled.
The case, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians against The Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, was filed on June 5. Along with the National Indian Gaming Commission, the defendants include North Fork, Red Rock Resorts, Station Casinos and SC Madera Management.
The Picayune tribe claims off-reservation gaming on land a tribe bought after 1988 needs a ‘two-part determination’ with approval from both the federal government and the state.
“North Fork is bound by a final judgment, and North Fork cannot run away from it,” Picayune stated.
The 264,000-square-foot casino would bring more than 1,500 jobs. It has been planned since 2003, but construction only started in 2024 after years of court delays.