North Fork Rancheria off-reservation casino deal wins vote

Friday, June 28, 2013  

The California Senate voted 22-11 on Thursday to ratify a Class III gaming compact for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians.

The deal authorizes an off-reservation casino, a first in California. Tribes with existing gaming facilities opposed the compact, which was approved with the minimum number of votes.

Once the bill is signed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D), the compact can be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for final review. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act gives the agency 45 days to take action.

The BIA approved a two-part determination application and a land-into-trust application for the casino. Rival tribes have already filed lawsuits in hopes of stopping the project.

Get the Story:
Senate approves Madera Co. casino (AP 6/27)
North Fork Rancheria casino clears another hurdle (KSFN-TV 6/27)
California Senate approves casino deal for North Fork tribe (The Los Angeles Times 6/27)
Senate approves casino compact (The Sierra Star 6/27)
Senate approves tribal casino in Madera (The Sacramento Bee 6/28)
Madera casino a step closer with state Senate support (The Fresno Bee 6/28)
Casino project with Station Casinos ties approved by California Senate (The Casino City Times 6/28)

North Fork Rancheria off-reservation casino deal set for vote (6/25)