The US Interior Department is now facing a lawsuit from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe in Northern California, for placing land owned by the Koi Nation into federal trust. The lawsuit asserts that the land was bought to build a larger casino for more guests and is not ancestral.
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria currently owns the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, approximately 10 miles south of the newly approved Koi Nation property. Both properties are located in Wine Country, a part of Northern California known worldwide as a premier wine-growing region.
The Koi Nation, federally recognized since 2000, has partnered with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma to develop the $600 million casino project in Wine Country. The tribe plans to name the new facility the Shiloh Casino & Resort. The proposed plans include a 400-room hotel, 2,500 slot machines, and 100 live dealer table games.
Graton Rancheria Chairman Greg Sarris claims the Interior Department rushed the land’s approval and questions whether Bureau of Indian Education Director Tony Dearman had the authority to sign the land into trust. The Graton Rancheria Indians have long contested the Koi Nations’ claim of their ancestorial ties to the land in Sonoma Valley and accuse the tribe of reservation shopping.
Are Tribal Casinos In California Legit?
Numerous state casinos are considered legitimate under current federal gambling laws. California does not authorize casino gambling, but federally recognized tribes can operate under their own laws, considering the land they occupy is technically not under the state’s jurisdiction.
The first tribal casinos in California emerged from bingo halls in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1987, the Federal government ruled that California tribes could offer casino gambling on tribal land. The result of the “California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians” lawsuit led to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988.
Are Online Casinos Legal In California?
The state of California does not authorize casino gambling in any form, online or in-person. However, no state or federal laws forbid legitimate online casinos from accepting CA players.
Online gambling sites have been operating in the Golden State since the early 2000s and have become the most trusted source for real-money casino games for many CA players. Offering convenience and hours of entertainment, CA players can take advantage of numerous real-money online casino games, including slots, blackjack, video poker, live dealer games, keno, bingo, and more, without fearing prosecution from state authorities.