The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, California. Photo from Facebook
The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians reached a settlement with the National Indian Gaming Commission that could lead to the reopening of the tribe's casino in northern California. The NIGC issued a notice of violation and a temporary closure order to the tribe after rival factions clashed at the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino on October 9, 2014. The agreement allows the reopening of the facility under certain conditions. "This is an important and very good day for our tribe," Chairwoman Claudia Gonzales said in a press release. "Our new tribal council promised our members we would act swiftly to reopen the casino, get our employees back to work and start to rebuild our tribe's financial and cultural strength, and this agreement is an important step towards those goals." According to the NIGC, the tribe agreed to a fine of $19.845 million for violating the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act but only $500,000 will be paid as long as the settlement conditions are met. The tribe admitted that it didn't submit timely audits for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The tribe reached an agreement with Madera County in hopes of reopening the casino but the state of California hasn't said whether it will accept the reopening. A federal judge issued an injunction against the tribe at the request of the state. Get the Story:
Chukchansi Casino to reopen soon (CBS Fresno 12/21)
Reopening of Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino nears (The Central Valley Business Times 12/21)
Chukchansi Tribal Council Says Shuttered Casino Will Open Soon, Agreement Reached (KVPR 12/21)
Chukchansi: Gaming commission approval paves way for reopening (The Fresno Business Journal 12/21)
Tribal agreement paves way for Chukchansi casino reopening (KFSN 12/21)
Chukchansi casino reaches next step to reopening (The Sierra Star 12/22)
Chukchansi tribe gets federal OK to reopen Coarsegold casino (The Fresno Bee 12/22) Relevant Documents:
Settlement Agreement SA-15-01 | NOV-14-03 / TCO-14-02 | TCO-14-01 | TCO-14-01
Related Stories
Former
leader of Chukchansi Tribe resolves casino closure case (12/07) Chukchansi Tribe reaches new agreement for shuttered casino (11/25)
Chukchansi Tribe still working to reopen casino after a year (11/05)
Chukchansi Tribe seats new leadership as casino remains closed (10/27)
Chukchansi Tribe accused of illegal vote and casino preparations (10/07)
Chukchansi Tribe picks leaders and hires gaming commissioners (10/5)
Chukchansi Tribe heads to vote as casino closure hits one year (10/2)
Chukchansi Tribe brings on former NIGC chairman Phil Hogen (9/25)
Chukchansi Tribe sees departure of last gaming commissioner (9/22)
Chukchansi Tribe sees three departures at gaming commission (9/18)
Chukchansi Tribe won't be able to reopen casino in September (9/16)
Chukchansi Tribe revamping casino in anticipation of reopening (09/04)
Chukchansi Tribe still aiming for reopening of casino this month (9/1)
Chukchansi Tribe aims to reopen shuttered casino next month (8/17)
Chukchansi Tribe hosts job fair amid hopes of reopening casino (07/29)
Join the Conversation
