California tribes lock horns over North Fork casino project

A proposed casino has sparked a legal war between two tribes in California.

The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians has brought North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to court over the latter’s plan to develop a casino on trust land in the City of Madera, according to news website Sierra Star.

In its petition, Chukchansi tribe asked the court to enjoin the Stations Casinos-backed Mono tribe from developing the trust land, which they claim to not constitute Indian lands for gaming as per the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).

They fear that the proposed casino will cause financial harm to Chukchansi’s gaming facility, taking away many of their guests.