The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, California. Photo © Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians
No need to wait for the National Indian Gaming Commission to take action -- the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California was shut down on Thursday as part of an ongoing leadership dispute. According to news reports, someone pulled a fire alarm at the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino around 6pm, prompting the evacuation of all patrons. Around the same time, a group of people -- presumably aligned with one faction of the tribe -- entered the lobby and pointed weapons at security guards and ordered them to leave. The Madera County Sheriff's Department arrived at the casino to keep the peace. Hotels guests were eventually allowed to return to their rooms but ABC News said there was no hot water and the elevators were shut off. “It’s just crazy out here,” one patron told The Fresno Bee. The tribe has failed to submit audits of the casino's finances and compliance reports to the NIGC so the agency issued a notice of violation to close the facility on October 27. The facility remains closed as of today. Get the Story:
Sheriff: Tribal infighting leads to abrupt Chukchansi casino closure (The Fresno Bee 10/10)
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino confirms gunmen stormed the casino (ABC News 10/9)
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino confirms gunmen stormed the casino (ABC News 10/9) Related Stories:
Chukchansi Tribe faces closure of casino due to missing audits (10/8)
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