The North Fork Mono Casino and Resort has been promoting an October 28 opening in Madera County, but a federal judge had not said whether the Chukchansi tribe's pending lawsuit would block that opening. The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians filed its third federal case in 14 years against the North Fork project in June, arguing that a 2014 statewide vote removed required state authorization. North Fork says federal approval should allow the casino to open. A court decision could affect whether the new venue begins full gaming operations, The Fresno Bee reported.
Judge Sherriff's pending order
Judge Kirk E. Sherriff heard hours of arguments on October 9 and is weighing whether to issue a preliminary injunction against the North Fork Mono Casino and Resort or to dismiss the case seeking to block it. Court records indicated the opening would not happen before October 15, while the casino has been advertising October 28 as its scheduled opening date. The Fresno Bee said the judge's order was expected any day, but it was not clear how an adverse ruling would affect the scheduled opening.
Why Picayune says the project lacks authorization
Picayune argues that the National Indian Gaming Commission illegally approved a management contract between North Fork and Station Casinos in 2024. The tribe says federal law requires state concurrence through a two-part determination, and that concurrence never existed because California voters rejected the state gaming compact by 22 percentage points in 2014. A December appellate decision found the project was not authorized by California, and the California Supreme Court declined to review that decision earlier this year, as a Fresno Bee report noted. Picayune told the court that granting the requested relief would prevent irreparable harm and serve the public interest. It also said its Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino could lose up to 50% of gaming revenue if the new casino operates, potentially reducing education, healthcare and other tribal benefits.
North Fork's response
North Fork attorney Christopher Babbit told the judge that federal officials established the two-part determination for the Highway 99 site at least two years before the 2014 voter referendum, adding "Enough is enough" on repeat challenges. The tribe maintains that earlier federal approval overrides the state objections and that multiple federal courts have already rejected similar arguments. North Fork calls Picayune's latest case a collateral attack on 2016 procedures issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Station Casinos described Picayune's complaint as an eleventh-hour lawsuit that recycles previously rejected arguments in a last-ditch effort.
Tribal chair describes economic need
North Fork Tribal Chairperson Judy Fink said in a court filing that the tribe has no economic development option other than the casino project. She said its two small businesses operate at a loss while members face widespread poverty and unemployment. According to Fink, the casino would create jobs, help repay debt and support new housing and social programs for members.
Economic stakes for both tribes
The 264,000-square-foot casino promises more than 1,500 jobs and represents a $725 million project that North Fork has planned since 2003, with construction beginning only in 2024 after court delays. Picayune has indicated in court documents that its existing casino could lose up to half of its gaming revenues if the new operation proceeds, and it says those losses would reduce benefits for tribal members. North Fork says the revenue study Picayune uses relies on 2019 market data, while Picayune argues market conditions have not changed significantly since then.
What may happen next
Picayune has asked the judge to halt operations at the new casino, while North Fork has asked for the case to be thrown out. The Fresno Bee reported that it was unclear exactly how an unfavorable ruling would affect the scheduled opening. As of the most recent reporting, no decision had been announced on whether the October 28 opening would proceed as scheduled while the suit remains active.
