$750M North Fork Mono Casino Opens Despite Ongoing Federal Lawsuit

MADERA, Calif. – The $750 million North Fork Mono Casino opened October 27 despite a federal lawsuit seeking to halt gambling at the property. The legal dispute leaves the newly operating casino facing potential restrictions as the project brings more than 1,500 jobs to California’s Central Valley.

The casino welcomed its first customers at 3 p.m., one day ahead of schedule, following years of development delays and legal challenges. Located off Highway 99 near Madera, the property is owned by the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and managed by Station Casinos, a subsidiary of Red Rock Resorts.

North Fork Mono Casino Opens with 2,400 Slot Machines

The 264,000-square-foot casino features more than 2,400 slot machines, 40 table games and a dedicated high-limit gaming room. The property also includes eight dining venues and four bars.

The high-limit room contains 138 slot machines and 10 table games, alongside a private bar and cashier. Dining options include Manzanita Steakhouse and Clubhouse 99, a sports bar featuring large television screens.

The development cost approximately $725 million, with total project expenses estimated at $750 million. The casino is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs across gaming, hospitality and food services, providing a significant source of employment for the surrounding area.

Future development phases are planned to add a hotel tower, entertainment venue, conference facilities and structured parking. Those additions remain separate from the casino’s initial opening.

Rival Tribe Challenges Federal Casino Approval

The opening comes despite an ongoing federal legal challenge brought by the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, which operates the nearby Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino.

Picayune is challenging the National Indian Gaming Commission’s 2024 approval of North Fork’s management agreement with Station Casinos. The tribe argues that the casino lacks valid state concurrence required for gambling on land acquired into federal trust after 1988.

The dispute dates to a 2014 statewide referendum in which California voters rejected legislation ratifying North Fork’s tribal-state gaming compact. In December 2025, a California appellate court ruled that the vote also invalidated former Governor Jerry Brown’s 2012 concurrence with the federal government’s decision permitting gaming on the site.

The governor’s concurrence was void from its inception under state law. The California Supreme Court declined to review that decision in April 2026, leaving the appellate judgment in place.

North Fork disputes the implications for its federal gaming authorization. The tribe maintains that earlier federal approvals and gaming procedures issued by the US Department of the Interior in 2016 support its right to operate the casino.

Federal Judge Weighs Request to Halt Gambling

US District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff heard arguments on October 9 concerning Picayune’s request for a preliminary injunction and motions seeking dismissal of the case. As of October 29, no ruling had been issued requiring North Fork to suspend gambling operations.

Picayune argues that the new casino could substantially reduce revenue supporting its tribal programs and services. North Fork maintains that the project is essential to economic development, employment and funding programs for its members.

The competing tribes have spent years disputing the legality of the off-reservation casino. Although earlier federal challenges were unsuccessful, Picayune argues that the December 2025 state appellate ruling strengthens its latest case.

The casino is continuing operations while the federal court considers the pending motions. A preliminary injunction could restrict or suspend gaming before the underlying lawsuit is resolved, making the judge’s next decision critical to the future of the newly opened property.

RELATED TOPICS: Business