Business Deals | California | NIGC | Openings & Closings

Chukchansi Tribe planning to reopen casino by end of year

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, California. Photo from Facebook

The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California hopes to reopen its casino by the end of the year.

Chairman Reggie Lewis, the leader of one faction on the reservation, said the Chukchansi Economic Development Authority has secured up to $35 million from creditors. The money will be used for a "grand re-opening" of the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino.

"These are just the first steps on our journey to provide our tribal members with opportunity and economic stability that will pave the way to self sufficiency for generations," Lewis said in a press release. "We are very excited to have secured world-class partners to assist us in achieving our goals."

The casino closed on October 10, 2014, following a scuffle between rival factions of the tribe the day before. It remains shuttered under a notice of violation and a temporary closure order issued by the National Indian Gaming Commission and an injunction issued in federal court at the request of the state of California.

The tribe will need to secure approval from the NIGC and the court to reopen the facility. If that happens, the casino will be managed by a new chief operating officer.

"I look forward to working on behalf of the tribe and its members to restore this facility as the destination of choice in the Central Valley," Christian Goode, an executive from the Ivory Gaming company, said in the press release, "We expect to re-open and operate this world class facility in a manner that the tribe can be proud of and one that provides a first rate experience to every guest."

The closure of the casino cut off an important revenue stream for the tribe. It also put about 1,000 people out of work.

Chairman Lewis leads a council that consists of two formerly disputing factions. However, at least two other factions claim to represent the tribe.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs considers the Lewis group to be the last recognized council of the tribe. A new election is supposed to be held on October 3, The Fresno Bee reported. Plans for an earlier election apparently fell through.

Get the Story:
Chukchansi casino could reopen by year’s end (The Fresno Bee 7/21)
Tribe optimistic about Chukchansi casino reopening Labor Day weekend (KFSN 7/20)