In the Golden State, a new tribal casino development is gaining traction but is also running into some issues from different levels of state leadership and levels of government. According to a recent report, the Koi Nation, a small Native American tribe with fewer than 100 members, is moving closer to building a $600 million Las Vegas-style casino resort in California’s Sonoma County, just an hour north of San Francisco. Additionally, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has released its final environmental impact statement for the proposed Shiloah Resort and Casino, marking a key step in the tribe’s application for 27 hectares of land into federal trust. Moreover, the environmental report analyzed the project’s potential impacts on air and water quality, wildfire, traffic, and other factors. While most effects were deemed “less than significant,” some were classified as “potentially significant.”
In this article, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news coming from the world of California gaming updates and also some more notes coming from SBS.
Also covered in the article, the public now has 30 days to review the findings and submit comments before the bureau makes a final decision. Moreover, the Shiloh project faces stiff opposition from California lawmakers, Governor Gavin Newsom, and neighboring tribes. Newsom argued in an August letter to the Department of the Interior that the land in question lies outside the Koi Nation’s historical homeland – a key requirement under federal law for gaming approval.
Competing tribes, most notably the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the article points out, also oppose the project. They launched a high-profile media campaign earlier this fall with full-page ads in major newspapers accusing the Interior Department of undermining tribal sovereignty. At the heart of the controversy though, is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which sets the rules for tribal gaming and includes guidelines about a tribe’s historical connection to the land. More specifically, the casino must be located on land the federal government holds in trust for the tribe. The act also prohibited gaming on lands acquired after October 17, 1988, unless certain conditions are met.
One such exception applies to tribes with restored federal recognition. In December 2023, the Biden administration announced an updated final rule that made it easier for tribes to acquire land in trust. Additionally, the rule now permits gaming on lands placed into trust as part of restoring territory to a landless tribe that has regained federal recognition. To qualify for this exception, a tribe must demonstrate both a historical and contemporary connection to the land.
Also covered in the report, for the Koi Nation, the fight is deeply personal. In 1916, the federal government recognized the tribe under its former name, the Lower Lake Rancheria, and allocated 56 hectares of land in neighboring Lake County which was largely unfarmable. By 1918, most tribal members had relocated to Sonoma County. In 1956, the federal government sold off 40 hectares of the Lake County land and transferred the remaining 16 hectares to the sole tribal members still residing there. The Interior Department did not officially terminate the tribe; through clerical errors, it simply forgot about them, the article reports. Decades later, the government reaffirmed that relationship.
“The Lower Lake Rancheria have been officially overlooked for many years by the Bureau of Indian Affairs even though their government-to-government relationship with the United States was never terminated,” then-assistant Indian affairs secretary Kevin Gover stated in his December 29, 2000 finding. “I am pleased to correct this egregious oversight.”
The Koi purchased the Shiloh land for $12.3 million in 2021 and applied to the government to place the land into trust. The tribe says that trails their ancestors used in trade pass directly through the site. “The Koi Nation has been in this region for thousands of years and is fully within its rights to pursue this project,” Sam Singer, a spokesperson for the tribe said.
Noted in the article, Singer attributes much of the opposition to fear of competition. Currently, more than 60 tribes operate 66 casinos across California. The Graton Rancheria operates a resort and casino approximately 17 kilometers south of the Shiloh property and is currently undergoing a $1 billion expansion. Indeed, with these important battles going on in the Golden State, it is easy to see why this is such a hotly-contested gaming state in the U.S.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest news and notes coming from the Golden State, make sure to also peruse the excellent array of information for you only at SBS. For even more information on the area covered here, make sure to check out the California sports betting guide which goes over all of the latest updates coming from the state and more. Additionally, for those on the go, make sure to peruse the best betting apps rundown which goes over how you can stay eligible and on top of the mobile betting action. Make sure to double-check this information to ensure you qualify. Finally, for those interested in maximizing their wagers, look no further than the VIP sports betting sites breakdown which goes over a variety of tips and tricks regarding VIP wagering and more.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
Read Chris's ProfileAsk Chris about this guide:
