- The Koi Nation Tribe acquired a new piece of land for $12.3 million, where they plan to build a North Bay casino.
- The land will have to be approved for sovereignty by the federal government before the project can make any progress.
- The new casino faces some opposition from those worried about gambling issues in California.
LAS VEGAS – A massive new casino resort is currently in the works by the Koi Nation, a federally recognized Sonoma County-based Tribe on the Northside of California.
A New Casino In The Works
Following the tribe’s acquisition of 222 East Shiloh Road (the property where they plan to build) for $12.3 million, the casino gaming project is expected to take upwards of four years before it’s officially open to the public.
“The Koi Nation has had to struggle harder than almost any other Tribe in California to re-establish our sovereignty. Despite this treatment, however, we have endured. It is time to exercise our rights as a federally recognized Tribe to have our own land and to control our own destiny,” said Darin Beltran, Tribal Chairman, according to their website.
The full development of the casino is ultimately still contingent on the federal government granting sovereignty status to the newly purchased property.
The casino blueprints feature plenty of gaming options, such as 2,500 slots and other machines, and plenty of hospitality services such as a 200 room hotel, half a dozen food vendors, and even a spa.
Opposition To The New Project
“This day is a long time coming. Our main objective is to become economically independent,” said Beltran.
While it seems like everything is falling into place for the Koi Nation tribe to soon begin construction, there is still a healthy amount of opposition towards the project.
“Sonoma County doesn’t need another casino and I oppose any new gaming outlets,” said Mike McGuire, a state Senator.
If the Koi Nation tribe is given the green light by the federal government, California gaming fans will have a brand-new location to visit in the North Bay area in a few years.