The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians in California has announced it will persist with the development of its anticipated casino near Madera, even after a state court ruled that the venture lacked authorization under California statutes.
This ruling came after the California Supreme Court declined to review a decision from a lower court that opposed the casino’s construction and operation, thereby sustaining the earlier judgment.
The ongoing dispute reflects the friction between state jurisdiction and federal regulation of tribal gaming, which is dictated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that oversees gaming activities on tribal territories.
In an official statement, the tribe asserted that its project is supported by federal law and should not be restricted by state governance.
“The right of North Fork Rancheria to conduct gaming on its federal trust land near Madera, CA, is solely governed by federal law. The federal government approved the North Fork project in 2012 and 2016, with subsequent federal court rulings affirming every approval in final and unappealable judgments,” the tribe emphasized.
As of 2024, construction has initiated on the sprawling 100,000-square-foot casino complex strategically located off Highway 99, with intentions expressed by the tribe to open the facility within the year.
“North Fork is dedicated to adhering to all relevant laws as it advances construction on its project, aiming to enrich the regional economy and improve the lives of its more than 3000 tribal members,” the tribe reiterated.
This project has long faced resistance from the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians and local anti-gambling organizations, who argue that the casino lacks proper state approval based on a 2014 statewide vote that rejected the development.
Though situated over 30 miles from the tribe’s 80-acre rancheria in the Madera County mountains, the federal authorities have recognized the tribe’s ancestral connections to the proposed casino site near Highway 99. Accusations of “reservation shopping” have surfaced from skeptics.
Regardless of state rulings, the project has obtained numerous federal endorsements, including one from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which green-lighted the location for development in 2011 and placed the land under federal trust in 2012. This federal endorsement has been consistently upheld by courts.
A federal court ruled in 2016 in favor of the casino, rejecting challenges from its adversaries concerning its authorization from the Department of the Interior. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell remarked at the time: “The law does not support their position.”
The proposed resort is set to feature over 2,400 slot machines, 40 table games, and a selection of eight dining establishments, potentially creating around 1,000 jobs, as reported by the tribe and local supporters who advocate for its potential as an economic stimulant.
Continued legal challenges are anticipated, which may create uncertainty regarding the timeline for the project’s opening, despite ongoing construction.