A new 25-year gaming compact signed between the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians and California Governor Gavin Newsom will enable the tribe to expand the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold.
The compact will authorize the casino to almost double its allowed number of slots to 3,500. The casino currently operates 2,000 slots. In return the tribe will share some of its profits with non-gaming tribes and tribes that have smaller casinos.
Besides the governor’s signature the compact must also be approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the California legislature.
The compact also address labor relations. About 1,150 casino employees have a collective bargaining contract with the tribe.
Last month the tribe signed a government-to-government agreement with Madera County to add to emergency services on tribal land. In addition the tribe will incorporate cannabis into its economic development.
In May 2020 the Chukchansi Economic Development Authority, which operates the casino, was able to settle a lawsuit and restructure its debt; something that was agreed to by 94 percent of the tribe’s lienholders.
