California | NIGC | Openings & Closings

Chukchansi Tribe seats new leadership as casino remains closed

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

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

New leaders of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California were seated on Monday night but the tribe appears no closer to reopening its shuttered casino.

The election of seven council members was aimed at ensuring the stability of the tribe following the closure of the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino on October 9, 2014. But rival factions continue to dispute the results, with some not recognizing the new leaders at all.

"It was illegal, and we don’t believe in the results," Luke Davis, the leader of one faction, told The Fresno Bee.

Two separate challenges to the election were rejected last week, the Bee reported. That led to the inauguration ceremony at the Oakhurst Community Center last night.

The tribe needs approval from the state and the National Indian Gaming Commission to reopen the casino. It remains closed under a preliminary injunction requested by the state and a notice of violation and a temporary closure order issued by the NIGC.

Get the Story:
Chukchansi tribe seats new council (The Fresno Bee 10/27)
Election oversight committee upholds Chukchansi election (The Fresno Bee 10/23)