Local Business · Madera, CA
Federal Judge Upholds North Fork Mono Casino Opening; Picayune Rancheria Plans Appeal
U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff in Fresno denied the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians' motion for a preliminary injunction against the newly opened North Fork Mono Casino, located just north of Madera on Highway 99. The $725 million, 264,000-square-foot casino opened Oct. 27 after more than 20 years of development and has created over 1,500 local jobs. In his 38-page ruling issued Thursday, the judge found the Picayune Rancheria failed to prove irreparable harm and faulted the timing of its filing. The Picayune Rancheria alleges the new casino would cost it 30% to 50% of gaming revenue, but the judge noted no supporting analysis beyond a study he called years out of date. The tribe plans to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.