California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of the Interior’s approval of a major tribal casino project in Sonoma County. The lawsuit argues that federal officials unlawfully bypassed legal safeguards and infringed on state authority by allowing the Koi Nation to build a sprawling gaming resort on 68.6 acres near Windsor.
The proposed development includes: 2,750 slot machines, 105 table games, a 400-room hotel, and facilities for over 10,000 guests.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the federal government’s use of the “restored lands” exception under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which allows gaming on land acquired after 1988 if it’s part of a tribe’s restoration. California contends this exception was misapplied and that the Koi Nation lacks a sufficient historical connection to the site in Northern California.
Newsom and the state argue the decision undermines promises made to voters under Proposition 1A, which legalized tribal gaming with geographic limitations. They also claim the ruling forces California into unwanted negotiations with the Koi Nation for a gaming compact, potentially stripping the state of regulatory control if talks fail.
California Tribal Casinos
Tribal casinos in California operate under the framework of the IGRA; federally recognized tribes manage these casinos and are typically located on tribal lands.
Tribal casinos offer a range of gaming options, including slot machines and table games, while generating billions in annual revenue. However, tribal gaming in California is tightly regulated through compacts negotiated between tribes and the state, which aim to balance tribal sovereignty with public interest and local concerns.
Online California Casinos
Online casinos have been available to CA players since the early 2000s from international brands operating offshore. Since there are no federal or state laws that make online gambling illegal, CA players can sign up and wager as much as they want.
Online California casinos offer the same games you would expect to find at one of the many tribal casinos in CA. However, they also offer more variations, lower buy-ins, bigger bonuses, and reward programs that far exceed their domestic counterparts. Since tribal casinos in CA are located on tribal land, most are not easily accessible without including travel expenses.
Some of the most popular casino games you will encounter online include video poker, blackjack, roulette, slots, keno, and more. You can also find live dealer games, sportsbook odds, and dedicated online poker apps from many of the online CA casinos we review.