$750M North Fork Mono Casino Opens Despite Unresolved Legal Challenge

California’s $750 million North Fork Mono Casino has opened its doors despite an unresolved federal lawsuit that seeks to stop gambling at the property.

The casino, off Highway 99 near Madera in California’s Central Valley, welcomed customers at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, a day earlier than scheduled. The property is owned by the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and managed by Las Vegas-based Station Casinos, a subsidiary of Red Rock Resorts.

Hundreds attended Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting, including tribal members who were among the first to enter. Tribal leader Elaine Bethel Fink thanked supporters for their patience during the lengthy campaign.

The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, which operates Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino nearby, filed a federal lawsuit in June challenging the National Indian Gaming Commission’s 2024 approval of North Fork’s management agreement with Station.

Picayune argues that the casino lacks the state concurrence required for gambling on the site under federal law, and that approving the management contract was therefore unlawful.

Voter Rejection

The dispute dates back to a 2014 referendum in which California voters rejected legislation ratifying a tribal-state gaming compact for the North Fork project.

In December 2025, a state appeals court ruled that the referendum also invalidated former Gov. Jerry Brown’s concurrence with a federal determination permitting gambling on the off-reservation land. The California Supreme Court declined to review that ruling in April.

North Fork disputes the implications of the state ruling. It maintains that federal approvals remain effective, pointing to gaming procedures issued by the Interior Department in 2016 after compact negotiations with California failed.

The tribe has also argued that Picayune is attempting to revive issues already considered in previous federal litigation.

Judge Weighs Injunction

U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff heard arguments Oct. 9 on Picayune’s request for a preliminary injunction and defendants’ motions to dismiss the case. No decision halting operations had been announced as of Thursday.

Picayune has warned that competition from the new casino could substantially reduce revenue available for its tribal services. North Fork, meanwhile, says the development is vital to funding jobs, housing, and other programs for its members.

Construction began in 2024 after years of delays. The 264,000-square-foot venue features more than 2,400 slot machines, 40 table games, a high-limit gaming room, eight dining venues, and four bars. The project is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs.

The tribe also envisions a hotel, entertainment center, conference center, and parking garage in later phases.