- A California tribe continued their casino construction even though a state court ruling deemed it unauthorized.
- The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California claim their casino project is legal and authorized under federal law.
- The casino is set to open in 2026 and offer blackjack, slots, table games, and more.
MADERA, Calif. – Even without California law authorization, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California are continuing to build their casino near Madera. By the end of 2026, the casino will open with slots, blackjack, and other table games.
A recent California state court ruling put the casino project in jeopardy when it found that the casino is unauthorized under state law. However, the tribe responded by stating that their California blackjack casino falls exclusively under federal law and they possess the right to game on federal trust land.
Their exact statement reads: “The North Fork Rancheria’s right to game on its federal trust land near Madera, CA, is governed exclusively by federal law. Federal approvals of the North Fork project occurred in 2012 and 2016, and the federal courts have since upheld each approval in final, non-appealable decisions.”
Madera Casino Construction Underway, 2026 Opening Expected
Construction kicked off in 2024 and will finish in 2026, with a grand opening date expected in the coming months. According to the North Fork Mono Casino website, the casino will feature more than 2,400 slot machines and 40+ table games, including blackjack and other variations.
The 100,000 square foot casino complex expects to employ more than 1,000 California citizens. The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California have stressed the economic importance of the casino, claiming that it will greatly benefit the regional economy of more than 3,000 members of the tribe.