Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
Address 711 Lucky Lane
Coarsegold, California 93614
Opening dateJune 25, 2003
No. of rooms400+
Total gaming space56,000 sq ft (5,200 m2)
Notable restaurantsCalifornia Market Buffet
Vintage Steakhouse
Nativos
Noodle Bar Asian Bistro
Goldfields Cafe
The Bakery
Firehouse Lounge
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerPicayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians
Renovated in2005
Websitehttp://www.chukchansigold.com/

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino is a Native American casino located just off of State Route 41 in Coarsegold, California, between Fresno and Yosemite National Park. It is owned and operated by the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians.[1]

The 56,000-square-foot (5,200 m2) casino has 1,800 slot machines, and 43 table games. Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino features a 370-seat buffet, Vintage Steakhouse, over 400 hotel rooms and suites, a full service spa and various other amenities.[2]

History

In June 2000, the Picayune Rancheria Tribe of Chukchansi Indians announced plans of constructing a resort casino close to Yosemite National Park. Construction was slated to begin in August 2000, but problems delayed groundbreaking.[3] In March 2002, the resort casino was approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission.[4] On October 29, 2002, groundbreaking for the Chuckchansi Gold Resort and Casino began. The forecast cost of the project was $150 million.[5]

The casino opened on June 25, 2003, while the resort opened on August 22, 2003.[6] In 2006, the casino bought the naming rights to Chukchansi Park in Fresno.

Armed Takeover and Reopening

On October 9, 2014, a confrontation occurred when a group of armed police officers and rival factions entered the casino in an attempt to take over control, handcuffing and detaining officers and employees reporting to the existing leadership. The casino was closed on the following day.[7] Ultimately 15 people were charged in the takeover, including active-duty police officers.[8]

The tribe brought in investments and new casino leadership to revamp operations and reopen the casino. Bradley Tusk and Christian Goode provided financing through Ivory Gaming Group, and Goode became the Chief Operations officer Christian Goode.[9][10][11][12][13] Goode negotiated with the NIGC and local officials in California, and reached a new deal with Unite Here! Local 19 on an agreement to guarantee good paying jobs and benefits for about 700 casino employees with annual wage increases.[14] The Tribe has also named Phil Hogen, former Chairman of the NIGC as Chairman of Chukchansi Tribal Gaming Commission and Joe Smith, former Director of Audits and Finance for NIGC as Commissioner of the Tribe’s Gaming Commission.[15]

The Casino reopened on December 31, 2015, and a formal Grand Reopening Ceremony took place on January 15, 2016.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino." 500 Nations. (retrieved 29 June 2010)
  2. ^ "Chukchansi has reached a deal paving the way toward reopening". Aug 17, 2015.
  3. ^ Tribe plans the Chukchansi
  4. ^ Chukchansi approval
  5. ^ Groundbreaking announcement
  6. ^ Opening date announcements
  7. ^ "MADERA: Sheriff recommends charges against some in Chukchansi casino clash | Local News | FresnoBee.com". Archived from the original on 2014-10-31. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  8. ^ "15 people charged in Chukchansi Casino takeover".
  9. ^ "Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians ("Tribe") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned tribal enterprise, Chukchansi Economic Development Authority ("CEDA"), is making substantial progress in re-opening their world-class gaming facility, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino". PR Newswire. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  10. ^ "Gaming group who helped get Chukchansi back up and running suing tribal group claiming they are owed millions". ABC30 Fresno. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  11. ^ Marc Benjamin (21 March 2017). "Resort management firm says Chukchansi tribe owes it $21 million for helping reopen casino". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  12. ^ Marc Benjamin (21 March 2015). "Chukchansi casino could reopen by year's end". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Making substantial progress in re-opening". July 17, 2015. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  14. ^ "Chukchansi Reaches Deal with Union". Aug 15, 2015.
  15. ^ "Chukchansi Tribe names New Gaming Commissioners". Oct 2, 2015.
  16. ^ Sheehan, Tim (April 22, 2022). "With debts paid, Chukchansi tribe to reap financial jackpot. But storm clouds are brewing".

37°12′41″N 119°41′56″W / 37.211254°N 119.698903°W / 37.211254; -119.698903