California | NIGC | Openings & Closings

Chukchansi Tribe finally reopens casino after 14-month closure

Monday, January 4, 2016

Patrons enter the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino on December 31, 2015. Photo by Marc Benjamin / Twitter

The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians reopened its casino on New Year's Eve, 14 months after the tribe was forced to close the facility amid an internal leadership dispute.

The Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino saw capacity crowds as thousands flooded the venue for the first time since October 9, 2014. A formal grand reopening is set for January 15.

"Since our election, the tribal council has worked every day with our government partners, casino management team and local business partners to get Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino ready to open for our customers," Chairwoman Claudia Gonzales said in a press release. "We are thankful for the support of our members and believe this is an important first step in bringing prosperity back to our people."

"Our team at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino have been busy preparing for our reopening. We are looking forward to providing the very best casino and resort experience for our returning and new customers," added Christian Goode, the casino's chief operating officer.

The reopening came after the tribe entered into an agreement with the National Indian Gaming Commission to resolve numerous violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The tribe agreed to a fine of $19.845 million but only $500,000 will be paid as long as the settlement conditions are met.

The settlement clears a notice of violation and a temporary closure order that was imposed on the casino.

Separately, a federal judge affirmed that the tribe violated the Class III gaming compact by threatening the health and safety of the public. But Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill said the tribe could reopen the casino once the NIGC lifted the closure order.