A recently recognized Native American tribe in California has submitted about 70 acres of recently acquired land to the federal agency to be granted the federal trust status. If that happens, then the Koi Nation will have the privilege to operate Class II gaming.
The Koi Nation was recognized in 2019. This month, the tribe has acquired 68 acres of land on East Shiloh Road, Sonoma County. The land was previously a vineyard and a private residential estate.
The Koi Nation hopes that the US Department of the Interior will take the land into federal trust and thus be deemed as the tribe’s sovereign territory.
However, for Koi Nation to operate Class III gaming that includes slot machines, house-banked table games, and roulette, it must sign a revenue-sharing agreement with the state.
If DOI and Bureau of Indian Affairs declare Shiloh land sovereign Koi Nation land will move on with a $600 million development called Shiloh Resort & Casino.
The initial proposal calls for 2, 5000 slots machines and table games, plus a 200 room hotel, restaurants, spa, and meeting venue. The facility will also be smoke-free.
Officials in Sonoma County have a history of opposing the tribal casino. However, with federal and state law, such opposition can’t stand.
Sonoma is home to two tribal casinos, both equipped with table games and slot machines. The Graton Resort & Casino and the River Rock Casino.
