Fight is on Over Bay Area Tribal Casino
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Nov. 27 filed a lawsuit saying that a new tribal casino in Sonoma County would “irreparably harm” its sovereign rights, according to SF Gate. The tribe also claims that a casino proposed by the Koi Nation could disturb “sacred objects” from Graton Rancheria’s past on the construction site.
At issue is a proposed off-reservation casino that would encroach on Graton Rancheria’s current customer base. The Graton Resort and Casino is located south of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. The Koi Nation is proposing the Shiloh Casino and Resort in Windsor, north of Santa Rosa. The two locations are about 15 miles apart. In its lawsuit Graton Rancheria argues that the Koi Nation has no ancestral claim to the land. Graton Rancheria is suing the U.S. Department of the Interior, which it claims did not do its due diligence before approving the Koi Nation’s request.
The Koi Nation paid $12 million for a 68-acre parcel. But Graton Rancheria alleges that the tribe has no claim to the land as an “aboriginal homeland,” as the Koi Nation’s reservation is 50 miles north. Both tribes have millennia of history in the region.
Though the Koi Nation is currently a small, non-gaming tribe, it made an agreement in 2022 with Oklahoma’s Chickasaw Nation. That tribe would build and operate the casino resort.
Grand Traverse Band to Open New Michigan Casino
The Grand Traverse Band has announced plans to open a new casino near Benzonia, Mich. In a release, the tribe said it has “complied with the requirements of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), including requirements set forth by the National Indian Gaming Commission.”
At a Nov. 26 Benzie County Board of Commissioners meeting, the tribe said it submitted notice to the NIGC last summer and has not heard anything in the 120-day objection window. As a result, the tribe’s gaming commission issued a license Nov. 21. The facility is expected to open in about two months.
‘Redskins’ Logo to be Revived?
A Washington, D.C-area newspaper Nov. 30 reported that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved legislation that would fund a renovation of RFK Stadium – the NFL team’s former home – and would also allow for discussions around reviving the old Redskins logo. The team, now the Washington Commanders, abandoned the Redskins name and logo in 2020.
According to the story, Commanders owner Josh Harris said the team doesn’t want the name back, but lawmakers say they are interested in bringing the logo back for other purposes.
“We’ve had good discussions with the NFL and with the Commanders,” Montana Senator Steve Daines said. “There’s good faith negotiations going forward that’s going to allow this logo to be used again; perhaps revenues going to a foundation that could help Native Americans in sport and so forth. We’re making good progress, and based on the good-faith negotiations, I made the decision to support this bill.”
Arizona’s Tohono O’odham New Casino to Open Dec. 18
Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks, owned and operated by Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, is set to open Dec. 18, AZBigMedia reported Dec. 4. The tribe’s fifth casino, White Tanks will have a 184,000 square-foot casino floor with 900 slots, a poker room, a sportsbook and table games. Arizona’s first Morton’s Steakhouse will be among the restaurants at the casino.
The facility expects to employ 1,000 people. The tribe broke ground on the $450 million project in April 2023.
In Other News …
Kambi Group signed a deal to provide back-end services for Illinois’ Wind Creek Chicago Southland, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians commercial arm, reported CDC Gaming Dec. 1.
Washington’s Tulalip Resort Casino reopened its high-limit slots room, Indian Gaming reported Dec. 3. The room was closed due to an expansion and upgrades. The 4,000-square-foot space has 73 machines, including five bartop slots on its new bar.
