California | NIGC | Openings & Closings

Chukchansi Tribe still working to reopen casino after a year

Thursday, November 5, 2015

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

The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California was forced to close its casino more than a year ago due to a leadership dispute.

The tribe held an election on October 3 in hopes of moving forward but some members haven't accepted the results. One group is planning to call its own vote next month, The Fresno Bee reported, and the instability could hinder efforts to reopen the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino.

“Our priority is to ensure the facility reopens under circumstances that protect the safety of patrons, employees, and tribal members and so that the issues which led to the closure in the first place are not repeated," National Indian Gaming Commission spokesperson Michael Odle told the paper. "From our standpoint there is no timeframe as to when this will occur.”

The NIGC issued a notice of violation and a temporary closure order to the tribe after rival factions clashed at the casino on October 9, 2014. A federal judge also issued a preliminary injunction at the request of the state.

Both hurdles will need to be resolved before the casino reopens. The tribe has already reached a memorandum of understanding with Madera County to resolve some issues.

“Please be patient,” Morris Reid, who is part of the newly elected tribal council and previously served as chair of one faction on the reservation, told the Bee. “It took four years to put us here but we are working hard already to get us moving forward again.”

Get the Story:
Chukchansi council sworn in, conflicts may remain (The Sierra Star 11/3)
New tribal council working to get Chukchansi open (Your Central Valley 10/27)