California’s North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians has, after 20 years of effort, been granted the right to build a casino north of Fresno by the state’s Supreme Court.
The Golden State’s high court made the ruling on August 31, upholding the right of former Governor Jerry Brown when he approved two off-reservation casinos, including that of the North Fork tribe.
Federal gaming law gives a state’s governor the right to approve or veto an off-reservation casino. Those who challenged Brown asserted that the legislature must also be involved.
With that court ruling in hand the tribe is going ahead with design and obtaining financing—although not as quickly as it would like due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tribal Chairwoman Elaine Bethel-Fink hailed the ruling, “We are thrilled that the court has finally decided this case in our favor.” She added, “Our Tribal citizens and local community have been denied the advantages of Tribal gaming – billions of dollars in economic benefits and thousands of jobs – for far too long.”
Madera County Supervisor Robert Pythress added, “Retail businesses have actually been excited about it because they believe it will bring more traffic to their gas station, play on the golf course, perhaps people flying in.”
The tribe has a 17-year old agreement with Station Casinos, through its subsidiary Red Rock Resorts to build and manage the casino.
