California Governor Asks DOI to Oppose Two Casinos

California Governor Gavin Newsom has formally requested that Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland oppose two proposed tribal casino projects. In his letter, Newsom argues that the casino initiatives from the Koi Nation in Northern California and the Pomo Indian Tribe in Scotts Valley are not legitimately tied to their respective tribes. He contends that approving these projects would enable the DOI to bypass the Gaming Enforcement Act and overlook the concerns of other tribes and communities.

Support for Newsom's stance comes from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which manages the Cache Creek Casino, along with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation and various local officials. They have also urged the DOI to reject the Scotts Valley casino project during a press conference held in West Sacramento.

The Scotts Valley casino resort, estimated at $700 million, has been pending approval from the DOI since 2016. Should it receive the green light, the land would be placed in trust for the casino, effectively removing it from state oversight—a prerequisite for such projects. Similarly, the Koi Nation's casino resort, valued at $600 million, has been awaiting a decision since 2021. While the Pomo and Koi tribes assert their historical connections to the land, other tribes in the vicinity dispute these claims.