Court Victory Pushes Koi Nation’s Sonoma County Casino Project Towards Finish Line

Written By Matthew Lomon on January 15, 2025
the us department of interior

The Koi Nation‘s hotly contested Shiloh Resort and Casino project scored a significant win Monday when the U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs green-lit the Northern California tribe’s land trust application for a casino in Sonoma County.

The news follows Judge Rita Lin‘s Jan. 10 ruling to vacate the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria’s temporary restraining order that recently halted the approval process. Lin’s temporary order was initially expected to run through Jan. 20.

As a result, the 68 acres of land near Windsor, CA that Koi Nation first purchased in 2021 have been placed into federal trust, opening the door for the development of the $600 million Northern California casino.

Koi Nation’s win returns both optimism and backlash

For the Koi Nation, the outcome of Monday’s proceedings offered a chance to exhale after a lengthy period of uncertainty. It also provided a renewed sense of optimism and vindication for the tribe.

These feelings were clear in a statement from Darin Beltran, chairman of the Koi Nation Tribal Council, following the ruling:

“The government’s approval fills our hearts with promise and hope. The Koi Nation has been afforded for the first time in over a century a real opportunity to build a sovereign land base that will provide economic development, self-governance, and a bright future for current and future generations of our tribal citizens.”

However, the decision to remove the Shiloh Resort and Casino’s final hurdle toward approval also received heavy backlash from opponents, especially the FIGR.

FIGR didn’t mince words over BIA’s decision to approve Shiloh project

Those following the Shiloh saga from the beginning are well aware of its contentious nature. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the BIA’s momentous verdict added another layer to an already pugnacious process.

The FIGR, the most vocal critic of the Koi Nation’s casino construction project, has long challenged the Koi Nation’s historical ties to the area. The former attempted to validate its stance by filing a lawsuit against the BIA at the end of November.

In the suit, the FIGR alleged that the BIA didn’t do enough due diligence in awarding Koi Nation the Shiloh project. Interestingly, when Judge Lin granted the temporary order one month later, it appeared that the FIGR’s case was gaining momentum.

However, after Lin’s ruling to pull the order and the BIA siding in favor of the Koi Nation, all progress has since vanished.

The weight of an arduous clash was apparent in FIGR chairman Greg Sarris‘ statement to The Press Democrat.

“[It’s] a political move that was very carefully timed by the Koi and the Department of Interior, to do this during an election year and to railroad this through at the 11th hour. This is shamefully handed down just before the current team at Interior turns out the lights.”

Other noted project opponents include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, residents of Shiloh, and elected officials from the Windsor Town Council.

Photo by Peter Silverman Photo/Shutterstock
Matthew Lomon Avatar
Written by
Matthew Lomon

Matthew Lomon has been a contributor at Catena's network of Play sites since July 2022, when he joined PlayCanada after graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson) with a degree in Professional Communication. Since then, Matthew has gone on to contribute articles to PlayIllinois, PlayMaryland, and PlayCalifornia. Outside of his work with Catena, Matthew writes weekly columns for Woodbine Racetrack's MyRailbirds, a horse racing handicapping website. Based out of Toronto, he is an avid sports fan, who counts the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors, and Denver Broncos amongst his favorite teams.

View all posts by Matthew Lomon
Privacy Policy