Shiloh Resort & Casino | Sonoma County | 2025 Updates

Federally-Approved Jan. 13, 2025

Nation | Tribe: Koi Nation of Northern California

SHILOH RESORT & CASINO

222 East Shiloh Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Shiloh Resort & Casino will be a $600 million casino resort built in Sonoma County by the Koi Nation. The location will be on a 68-acre vineyard northeast of Santa Rosa, California. The Shiloh complex will encompass 1.2 million square feet and include a casino with 2,500 slot machines, multiple table games, six restaurants, a 400-room hotel with spa, and a conference center. All buildings will be smoke-free. See Design Video and Artist Renderings.

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Shiloh Resort & Casino rendering courtesy of Koi Nation Sonoma

Shiloh Resort & Casino

The Koi Nation has partnered with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma to develop the Shiloh Resort & Casino. The Chickasaw Nation operates 23 casinos including the largest in the world, Winstar World Casino & Resort. The Chickasaw will help with development and also manage the daily operations.

U.S. Approval

The Koi Nation is a federally-recognized tribe with the federal approval to build the Shiloh Resort & Casino in Sonoma County, California. Federal approval was granted on Jan. 13, 2025 by the U.S. Department of Interior under authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. (See U.S. Letter of Apoproval)

The Department of Interior determined the Koi Nation qualified for an obscure federal law provision termed the "restored lands exception". This exception helps tribes that were "dispossessed and marginalized by the government" by returning ancestral land back to these tribes.

Shiloh Resort & Casino would be the third Indian gaming casino in Sonoma County joining Graton Reort & Casino in Rohnert Park and River Rock Casino in Geyserville.

Who is the Koi Nation?

The Koi Nation of Northern California is a federally-recognized tribe headquartered in Santa Rosa.

The tribe has a 17,000-year history in the Sonoma and Lake Counties area. Koi Nation was formally recognized by the federal government in 2019 and purchased the 68-acre site for the casino in 2021.

The land, which is considered "off-reservation" land for a casino, will be transferred into federal trust as reservation land for the tribe and giving it federal sovereignty over state and local gaming regulations.

News Headlines

Koi Nation Casino Update | Three More Tribes Sue Fed's Decision February 27, 2025 - A new lawsuit has been filed by three California tribes against the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) for its decision to approve the Shiloh Resort Casino ... Read more Graton Sues Feds to Stop New Shiloh Casino in Sonoma County February 24, 2025 - Graton Rancheria has extended its legal fight against the development of the Koi Nation casino outside Windsor by suing the U.S. Department of ... Read more Shiloh Resort Casino | Chickasaw Nation Partnership January 25, 2025 - The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma is the Koi Nation partner for the development and operational management of the future Shiloh Resort Casino in Sonoma ... Read more Koi Nation | Feds approve Shiloh Resort Casino in Sonoma County January 14, 2025 - On Monday the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) approved the Koi Nation plan to build a $600 million casino, named Shiloh Resort & Casino, near the ... Read more Graton Rancheria files 11th-hour lawsuit to stop Shiloh Casino project December 4, 2024 - Graton Rancheria filed a lawsuit last week against the U.S. Department of the Interior to stop the Koi Nation from building a $600M casino within 15 miles of ... Read more More Headlines ...

Location

The planned site of the Shiloh Resort & Casino is currently a vineyard between Highway 101 and the Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. The location is near Windsor at East Shiloh Road and Old Redwood Highway.

Courtesy of The Press Democrat

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Shiloh Resort & Casino Features

The following information regarding the casino and hotel features has been released to the public. Some of the information includes the maximum capacity values reported in the U.S. Environmenta Impact Study. Much of the remaining information is still pending.

The Shiloh Resort & Casino will total 1.2 million square feet.

Gaming

Restaurants

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Event Center

Hotel

Parking

News Articles

Koi Nation Casino Update | Three More Tribes Sue Fed's Decision

February 27, 2025

A new lawsuit has been filed by three California tribes against the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) for its decision to approve the Shiloh Resort Casino proposed by the Koi Nation in Sonoma County. The lawsuit follows a similar one filed last week by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

This lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia this week by the Lytton Rancheria, owners of the San Pablo Lytton Casino in San Pablo, the Dry Creek Rancheria, owners of the River Rock Casino in Geyserville, and the Cloverdale Rancheria owners of the future Cloverdale Rancheria Resort Casino in Cloverdale. The tribes claim the DOI did not adequately consult with the tribes about their ancestral history to the Koi casino land, and the DOI failed tp produce a proper environmental impact report before the final decision was made.

The lawsuit is seeking to nullify the decision made by the former Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland of the Biden Administration and hopes for a favorable reconsideration by the new Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum of the Trump administration.

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Graton Sues Feds to Stop New Shiloh Casino in Sonoma County

February 24, 2025

Graton Rancheria has extended its legal fight against the development of the Koi Nation casino outside Windsor by suing the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) last week in an effort to reverse the federal approval of the project.

On Jan. 13, 2025 the DOI approved the Koi Nation plan to build a $600 million casino resort, named Shiloh Resort and Casino, on a 68-acre site located within 15 miles of Graton Resort and Casino. The new casino will total 1.2 million square feet with a casino featuring 2,600 slot machines, six restaurants, a hotel with 400 rooms and a luxury spa, and a conference center.

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria filed its lawsuit on Feb. 14 in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. The suit targets the new DOI secretary, Doug Burgum, who recently replaced Deb Haaland, and other new DOJ officials, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria continues to fight to reverse the previous Interior Department's rushed, illegal approval of the Koi Nations' proposed casino on our tribe's sacred ancestral lands."

- Greg Sarris, Chairman Graton Rancheria

Graton claims the DOI violated their tribal rights and federal laws while conducting a flawed review of ancestral history, and writing a weak environmental impact statement (EIS) with adequate evaluation of wildfire risks, air quality, water, traffic, and other important factors.

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Shiloh Resort Casino | Chickasaw Nation Partnership

January 25, 2025

The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma is the Koi Nation partner for the development and operational management of the future Shiloh Resort Casino in Sonoma County, California.

The Chickasaw Nation owns and operates more than 20 casinos in Oklahoma. The largest is WinStar World Casino and Resort, which is the largest in the world. Winstar is a 400,000-square-foot casino complex with 10,500 slot machines, 100 table games, 55 poker tables, an 800-seat bingo hall, 17 restaurants, the Lucas Oil Live entertainment center and a championship golf course.

In 2008. the Chickasaw Nation created a new enterprise named Global Gaming Solutions (GGS), to invest in gaming, racing, and entertainment. In 2022, the Koi Nation selected GGD as its development partner for the Shiloh Resort Casino.

The Koi Nation cited the Chickasaw Nation's "broad range of commercial expertise" for its decision for the partnership.

"Not only does the Chickasaw Nation have great expertise in gaming and resorts, but they also share the same values as the Koi Nation.

"Chickasaw leaders understand the importance of this project to the restoration of our economic self-reliance because they have walked the same path many times in support of their own people's future."

- Dino Beltran, Koi Nation Vice Chair and Director of Development

.

In a joint press release at that time, a spokesperson for Global Gaming Solutions added the following statement:

"It will be a great honor for GGS to assist the Koi in construction and management of the Shiloh Resort & Casino to be located just outside the city limits of Windsor, California. The design for the low-rise facility integrates with the natural beauty of the site and will be energy-efficient and respectful of the environment, in keeping with the Tribe's historic relationship with the land."

- Kym Koch Thompson, GGS Spokesperson

What are the next steps in the development of the Shiloh Resort Casino? We need more details about the project and details about the construction timeline.

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Koi Nation | Feds approve Shiloh Resort Casino in Sonoma County

January 14, 2025

On Monday the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) approved the Koi Nation plan to build a $600 million casino, named Shiloh Resort & Casino, near the small town of Windsor in Sonoma County. The Department then issued a Record of Decision to transfer 68 acres of vineyard owned by the tribe into federal trust as the site for the future Shiloh casino.

The approval was a controversial decision for the federal government. Several Northern California tribes opposed the Koi Nation casino project. Graton Rancheria, which owns the nearby Graton Resort Casino. filed an 11th-hour lawsuit in late Dec. 2024 against the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in an effort to stop the federal approval process. A federal judge agreed to issue a temporary restraining order against the DOI on Dec 20th. Last Friday, a U.S. District Court judge vacated the temporary restraining order, and the DOJ moved forward with its approval.

"Today represents a historic moment of opportunity and justice for the Koi Nation. 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."

- Darin Beltran, Koi Nation Tribal Council Chairman

Shiloh Resort & Casino will total 1.2 million square feet and be managed by the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Nation owns and operates 10 casinos in Oklahoma including the world's largest casino, WinStar World Casino and Resort.

Next News Article >

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Timeline

2019
The Koi Nation received federal recognition, which is a prerequsite to qualify for an Indian gaming casino.

Sep 2021
The Koi Nation unveiled plans to build the Shiloh Resort & Casino on a newly purchased, 68-acre site in Sonoma County. The tribe also announced it has filed a casino application with U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

An Environmental Assessment Study will be prepared by the U.S. Department of Interior and followed by public hearings in late 2023 to address local issues and concerns.

Jan 2022
Koi Nation announced a partnership with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma for the development and operation of the Shiloh Resort & Casino. News story

Feb 2022
The Koi Nation gained a powerful political ally, the Northern California Carpenters Union, by comitting to to only hire union labor for construction of the Shiloh Resort & Casino. News story

2023
An Environmental Assessment report was published by the U.S. Bureau of Indian affairs on Sept. 12, 2023 and followed by a 45-day period for public comments.If the report is approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Koi Nation must negotiate with Sonoma County and city jurisdictions to mitigate government costs for supporting services, such as fire, police and emergency aid. The Koi Nation will also negotiate with the State of California for a gaming compact to support Class III slot machines and table games.

2024
The Bureau of Indian Affairs completed work on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in July 2024. See the draft report. The draft report was followed by a 45-day window for public comments. A Final Environmental Impact Statement was published in November 2024. See the final report. The final report was followed by a 30-day comment period.

2025
Final approval is granted by the federal government on Jan. 13, 2025. It is estimated the construction of Shiloh Resort & Casino will take two years to complete. Legal challenges are expected and the construction start date will likely be delayed.

Shiloh Resort & Casino Renderings

The following images are artist renderings of the Shiloh Resort & Casino that were released by the Koi Nation on September 15, 2021.

Aerial View - Front

Exterior View - Day

Exterior View - Evening

News Articles - Continued

Shiloh Resort & Casino | Graton Suit Delays Fed Approval

December 23, 2024

In an 11th-hour lawsuit filed by Graton Rancheria against the U.S. Department of the Interior, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday to stop the federal government from approving a Koi Nation casino project proposed for Sonoma County. The restraining order was issued Friday, December 21, 2021 by Judge Rita F. Lin in the Northern District of California.

The Koi Nation is seeking federal approval to build a 600 million casino resort, named Shiloh Resort & Casino, near Winsor, California. The location is 15 miles from Graton Resort Casino. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which owns the casino, filed the lawsuit on Nov. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The tribe claims the federal government did not thoroughly investigate the ancestral rights to the Winsor casino site. The Graton Rancheria is claiming "tribal sovereignty, its rights over Southern Pomo ancestors and sacred objects" on the land.

Today was the deadline for public comments to be submitted to the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regarding the Koi Nation casino project. The public inputs were expected to be the final step in the casino approval process before making a final decision. The federal decision was expected before the end of the Biden administration, which ends on January 20th.

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Shiloh Casino | One Step from Fed Approval

November 24, 2024

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has one more step to complete before deciding whether to approve an application from the Koi Nation to build a $600 million casino resort, named Shiloh Resort & Casino, in Sonoma County, California.

Last Friday the agency published its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the casino. The report is available online and can be viewed by clicking here. The final step in the decision process is a 30-day public comment period, which is now underway with a deadline for inputs by December 23, 2024.

There are two ways to submit your comments about the Shiloh Casino FEIS report:

MAIL
Amy Dutschke, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825.
* Include your name, return address, and "FEIS Comments, Shiloh Resort and Casino Project" on the first page.

EMAIL
Chad Broussard, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, at chad.broussard@bia.gov
* Use subject: "FEIS Comments, Shiloh Resort and Casino Project"

If the Shiloh casinoproject is approved, the Department of Interior will begin to process to transfer the casino land into federal trust for the Koi Nation, which will give it sovereignty over state and local jurisdictions.

There will also be lawsuits filed by opponents to the casino. These will include citizen groups and tribes with competing casinos. The legal challenges are expected to take several years to resolve.

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Shiloh Resort & Casino complies with Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Sonoma County, CA)

September 29, 2024

Koi Nation plans to build the $600 million Shiloh Resort & Casino in Sonoma County, California. The tribe's casino application for federal approval under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is currently under review by the U.S. Department of Interior.

The Shiloh Casino project is opposed by California Gov. Newsom and other regional tribes, which dispute the Koi Nation's ancestral land claims to a 68-acre casino site near Winsor, California.

This week the Koi Nation published the following press release addressing their ancestral land claims.

Koi Nation of Northern California Casino Plan Meets Requirements of Indian Gaming Laws

News provided by
Koi Nation
Sep 27, 2024, 18:15 ET

Local paper of record and largest Native American publication in the U.S. published opinion pieces that support Tribe's pursuit of the Shiloh Resort & Casino through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's "Restored Lands Provision"

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Koi Nation of Northern California is in full compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's "Restored Lands Provision" in the tribe's pursuit of the Shiloh Resort & Casino project in unincorporated Sonoma County, California.

"The promise of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's 'restored lands provision' was to remedy the tragic history of forced removal and relocation by allowing restored lands to be utilized for tribal gaming," said Darin Beltran, Chair of the Koi Nation of Northern California's Tribal Council. "Like it or not, a rigid set of rules exists to qualify for this provision of federal law - and we've dutifully met them all."

The Koi Nation's ancestors relocated to Sonoma County after rejecting the Bureau of Indian Affairs' offer of a Rancheria in neighboring Lake County in 1916 that the agency itself deemed uninhabitable. This tragic series of events rendered the Koi Nation landless and led to the improper termination of its federal recognition status, ending its ability to pursue gaming through the same rights afforded to all other federally recognized tribes.

The Koi Nation's federal recognition status was finally restored in 2000, and a 2019 ruling in a case overseen by the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, Beryl A. Howell, recognized the tribe's ability to pursue gaming through the "restored lands provision".

"This unique provision of federal law allows tribes restored to federal recognition status, such as the Koi Nation, to pursue gaming according to strict statutory and regulatory requirements," Beltran said.

These requirements include the demonstration of a "significant historical connection" to the site of proposed gaming projects

In its filing for a restored lands opinion, the Koi Nation methodically details the tribe's deep ties to Sonoma County. These include their ancestors' well-regarded roles as Sonoma County Native American political leaders who advocated for 1928 federal native claims legislation, Native American social rights and community organization with other Pomo tribes, and voters for the tribe's organization under President Franklin Roosevelt's Indian Reorganization Act of 1935.

"Since that time, the center of Koi Pomo life - and death - has been in Sonoma County," said Dino Beltran, Vice Chair of the Koi Nation of Northern California's Tribal Council. "Our application is in full compliance with Indian Gaming Regulation Act's restored lands provision."

The Koi Nation's strong historical connection to Sonoma County was recently supported by an opinion piece published by the project site's local paper of record, the Press Democrat.

Additionally, the largest native American news publication in the United States, Indian Country Today, published an opinion piece supporting the Koi Nation's utilization of the restored land provision in the face of recent opposition

The publication of these two pieces demonstrates that the opinions contained therein are significant not just in the region surrounding the proposed Shiloh Resort & Casino project, but for all of Indian country throughout the United States

About the Koi Nation
The Koi Nation's mission is to empower our people to achieve a better way of life and to maintain tribal integrity and honor through responsive government. We are committed to protecting and exercising our inherent sovereign rights as a federally recognized tribe to their fullest extent, including obtaining land to re-establish a permanent land base for our people who have lived in this region for thousands of years, and creating self-sustaining economic activity to support the tribal government and its people, and to benefit the entire community of Sonoma County. For more information visit www.KoiNationSonoma.com.

---

Contact: Sam Singer or Noah Starr
Singer Associates Public Relations
singer@singersf.com
Cell: 415.336.4949

Source: Koi Nation

The final decision on whether the Koi Nation can build the Shiloh Resort & Casino will be made by U.S. Secretary of Interior. There is no time schedule for the decision.

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Koi Nation repudiates Gov. Newsom's opposition to Sonoma casino project

August 26, 2024

The Koi Nation of Northern California released an immediate statement in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's letter of opposition to the U.S. Department of Interior regarding the tribe's plan to build a $600 million casino resort near Windsor in Sonoma County.

The governor argued the Shiloh Resort & Casino project should be rejected by the federal government because the proposed casino location is outside the aboriginal territory of the tribe. The Koi Nation immediately responded to Gov. Newsom with this statement on Friday:

"It is evident that the governor's opposition reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of federal law."

- - Koi Nation of Northern California

The Koi Nation is a federally-recognized tribe, but the tribe has no reservation land. Under federal law, the Koi Nation can qualify to build a casino on the historical lands of its ancestors, a legal exception called "restored lands."

The Koi Nation claims to have a 17,000-year history in the Sonoma and Lake Counties. In 2019 a federal court affirmed the tribe's right "to correct historic wrongs that rendered landless tribes like the Koi, depriving them of opportunities to develop and achieve economic self-sufficiency."

The final decision on whether the Koi Nation can proceed with building the Shiloh Resort & Casino will be made by U.S. Secretary Deb Haaland and the Department of the Interior. There is no time schedule as to where to expect the answer.

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Shiloh Resort Casino Project opposed by California Gov. Newsom

August 22, 2024

California Governor Gavin Newsom has sent a letter to the US Department of the Interior (DOI) expressing his opposition to the Shiloh Resort and Casino Project planned for Sonoma County by the Koi Nation of Northern California.

The Koi Nation, which is a federally-recognized tribe headquartered in Santa Rosa, submitted an application to the DOI in 2021 requesting approval to build a $600 million casino resort on 68-acres of vineyards owned by the tribe near Winsor, California.

The Shiloh Casino application is currently under review by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), an agency within the Department of the Interior. In July an environmental impact statement (EIS) was published and followed by a 45-day period for public comments.

The governor's letter to the DOI expresses his concerns about the environmental impacts of the casino project. Gov. Newsom said:

"(I am) concerned that these specific projects are proceeding in a manner that would sidestep the state, ignore the concerns of tribal governments and other local communities and stretch the 'restored lands' exception beyond its legal limits - while failing to adequately consider whether there might be a better way."

- Gov. Gavin Newsom

In response to the Governor's opposition, the Koi Nation issued a statement from Vice Chair and Director of Development, Dino Beltran, in defense of the charges. Beltran said the Koi Nation has complied in full accordance with the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and its provisions regarding 'restored lands'. Under this law the tribe is seeking federal gaming approval to "address historical injustices and supporttribal economic self-sufficiency".

The California Governor's letter joins the opposition already expressed by major regional tribes, including the Lytton Rancheria of California, which owns the San Pablo Lytton Casino in San Pablo, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which owns the Graton Resort Casino in Rohnert Park, and the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, which owns the River Rock Casino in Geyserville.

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Shiloh Casino Project Advances in Sonoma County | July 2024 Update

July 24, 2024

The Shiloh Resort & Casino project proposed for Sonoma County, California, is advancing through the federal approval process. The $600 million project is planned for a 68-acre site owned by the Koi Nation located northeast of Santa Rosa.

This month the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) published an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Shiloh Resort and Casino. The new report followed a BIA review of public comments received last April regarding an environmental assessment (EA). (See news story).

Once again, the BIA has announce a 45-day period for submitting public comments about concerns, issues, and other feedback regarding the EIS report. The deadline for comments is August 26th. The draft-version of the report can be read online here.

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Shiloh Resort and Casino Project | March 2024 Update

March 19, 2024

Sonoma County residents are invited to comment on the upcoming federal Environmental Impact Statement covering the Koi Nation casino project near Santa Rosa, California. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) published a Notice of Intent (NOI) this month seeking public inputs for consideration in the report. A 30-day comment period will end April 8, 2024.

The Koi Nation of Northern California wants to build a new casino resort in Sonoma County. The project, named Shiloh Resort and Casino, includes a non-smoking casino with 2,500 slot machines, six restaurants, a 400-room hotel, ballroom, conference space, and an event center. The location is 222 E. Shiloh Road near Windsor, California.

Last September the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) published an Environmental Assessment of the project. After receiving and reviewing public comments, the BIA decided to move forward with an Environment Impact Statement.

To submit your comments on the environmental impact of the Shiloh Resort and Casino Project, visit shilohresortenvironmental.com for instructions and current documentation.

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Shiloh Resort & Casino Project Gains Support - Update Jan. 2024

January 13, 2024

The Koi Nation's plan to build a $600 million casino resort in Sonoma County is waiting for a decision from the U.S. Department of Interior. The Koi tribe applied for federal approval in Sep. 2021 to build the Shiloh Resort & Casino on a tribe-owned vineyard northeast of Santa Rosa, California. The casino will provide a self-sustaining economic future for the Koi Nation.

The Shiloh Casino project has gained widespread support from elected officials, tribal governments, and community leaders. Examples include:

18 Other Tribal Governments
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Environmentalist, Actor Peter Coyote
Lake County Sheriff Bryan Martin
Northern California Carpenters Union
Santa Rosa City Councilmember (Former) Tom Schwedhelm
Santa Rosa City Councilmember (Former) John Sawyer.
Sonoma County Fire District

After a two-year environment review the Interior Department issued the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project. The period for public review of the report concluded in November 2023. The final approval of the report by the Interior Department is pending. That approval is crucial for the project to proceed.

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Shiloh Casino Project in Sonoma County - Update Oct. 2023

October 27, 2023

The public comment period for the Shiloh Resort & Casino's environmental assessment report has ended. The deadline set by the Bureau of Indian Affairs was October 27th. The report analyzed the potential environmental impact of building the Shiloh Resort & Casino next to the Town of Windsor, California.

During the 45-day comment period the Bureau of Indian Affairs held a virtual public meeting on Sep 27, 2023 and also accepted written comments mailed to its Sacrament office or submitted online.

Both supporting positions and opposition to the casino proposal have been received.

Bureau of Indian affairs will now consider the public comments and decide whether to approve the Environmental Assessment. A decision may come early next year.

If approved, the Koi Nation must negotiate with Sonoma County and local communities to mitigate government costs for fire, police and emergency services. The tribe must also negotiate a gaming compact with the State of California to determine the number of slot machines and table games allowed, and the taxes to be paid on gaming revenues.

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Shiloh Casino Project in Sonoma County - Update Sept. 2023

September 26, 2023

A major milestone has been reached in the approval process for the Koi Nation's proposed plan to build a $600 million casino resort in Sonoma County. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the potential environmental consequences of developing the casino, named Shiloh Resort & Casino, on a 68.6-acre site adjacent to the Town of Windsor.

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Public meeting to be held for proposed Santa Rosa casino - Courtesy of KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco, Sep 24, 2023. Available from YouTube

Public Report
The Environmental Assessment of the Koi Nation of Northern California Shiloh Resort and Casino Project can be read here.

Public Comments
All public comments about the Shiloh casino project can be submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs from now until a deadline of October 27, 2023.

MAIL TO:
Amy Dutschke, Regional Director
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Regional Office
2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2820, Sacramento, CA 95825

Instructions: Please include your name, return address, and the caption: "EA Comments, Koi Nation Shiloh Resort and Casino," on the first page of your written comments.

EMAIL TO:
Chad Broussard
Environmental Protection Specialist
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region
chad.broussard@bia.gov

Instructions: Please use "EA Comments, Koi Nation Shiloh Resort and Casino" as the subject of your email.

Public Hearing
A virtual public hearing is scheduled on Zoom tomorrow September 27, 2023. The hearing starts at 6 pm. To attend, register here.

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Shiloh Casino & Resort Design - Animation Video

July 26, 2022

Koi Nation released a new animated video this week touring the proposed Shiloh Casino & Resort. The purpose of the video is to show the environmental-friendliness and energy-efficiency in the Shiloh project design.

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Koi Nation Shiloh Resort & Casino in Sonoma narrated by Peter Coyote with background music - Courtesy of Koi Nation of Sonoma, Nov 29, 2022. Available from YouTube

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Shiloh Casino Project Update - Sonoma County, June 2022

June 16, 2022

Sonoma County is preparing a formal response to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regarding the Koi Nation plans to build an Indian gaming casino near Windsor, California. The County has been soliciting public comments on the issue and will issue a report to the BIA on June 20. Comments can be sent to tribalaffairs@sonoma-county.org.

Last year Koi Nation filed an application with the Bureau of Indian Affairs requesting the U.S. Department of Interior transfer a 68-acre parcel of land northeast of Santa Rosa into federal trust for the purpose of building a casino named Shiloh Resort & Casino. Currently the tribe is preparing a preliminary environmental impact report as an attachment to the application.

The proposed Shiloh Resort & Casino project is publicly opposed by the other five tribes living in Sonoma County.

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Sonoma casino project is opposed by County

April 8, 2022

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a resolution opposing the Koi Nation's plan to build a casino at 222 East Shiloh Road near Windsor.

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Lawmakers, Residents Oppose Plan For Indian Casino In Windsor - Courtesy of KPIX CBS SF Bay Area, Apr 5, 2022. Available from YouTube

The resolution along with letters of opposition from five Sonoma County tribes have been filed with the U.S. Department of the Interior in an attempt to stop the casino project. The Department is considering whether to approve the transfer of the casino site into federal trust for the Koi Nation, thereby giving the land sovereignty over state and local governments.

Koi Nation was federally recognized in 2019 and purchased the 68-acrea casino site in Sep 2021. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the five opposing tribes claim the Koi Nation does not have the ancestral ties to the land needed for casino approval.

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Shiloh Casino project in Sonoma County secures powerful, political support from labor union

February 18, 2022

The Koi Nation gained the support of labor last week in a deal with the Northern California Carpenters Union. The tribe signed a binding letter of intent to guarantee that only union labor will be employed for construction of the Shiloh Resort & Casino. This partnership secures a powerful political ally for the casino project.

"This represents not only a commitment to union labor on the project, but also a tremendous opportunity for Sonoma County residents, as well as Native Americans, to be trained in a skilled trade that will help secure their futures."

- Dino Beltran, Koi Nation Director of Development

The Koi Nation needs public support for federal approval to build the Shiloh Resort & Casino. Labor support will be an important factor in that decision.

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Koi Nation partners with Chickasaw Nation for Sonoma County casino project

February 3, 2022

The Koi Nation of Northern California plans to build a $600 million casino resort north of San Francisco. Last week the small tribe announced it is partnering with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma to develop and operate the Sonoma County casino, which will be named Shiloh Resort & Casino.

The Chickasaw Nation, through its wholly-owned Global Gaming Solutions LLC, operates 23 casinos including Winstar World Casino and Resort, the largest casino in the world.

"We are honored to build this important business relationship with our brothers and sisters of the Chickasaw Nation, one of the most experienced Native American tribes in the gaming industry,"

- Darin Beltran, Koi Nation Tribal Chair

Shiloh Resort & Casino will be a non-smoking casino with 2,500 slot machines, six restaurants, a 400-room hotel and a conference center.

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Shiloh Resort & Casino begins long approval process and legal battles

September 24, 2021

The Koi Nation began a long and difficult journey last week after announcing plans to build the $600 million Shiloh Resort & Casino in Sonoma County. The tribe must now fight its way through the federal approval process, fight legal challenges from opposition groups, negotiate financial support, and win state approval for a gaming compact.

Two other Sonoma tribes have gone through this same experience to build a casino and each plan ended with opposite results. In 2002 the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians announced plans to build a $320 million casino resort on tribal land on the southeast border of Cloverdale. The casino project has languished for nearly two decades without financial support and with local opposition.

The other Sonoma tribe is the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which announced plans to build a casino in 2003. It took the tribe ten years to win government approvals and defeat lawsuits before opening the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park in 2013.

The Koi Nation is now starting down a similar path taken by these two tribes.

"We're aware of how the battle will be. It's important we don't get excited. We'd be fools not to know the situation. We're prepared."

-Darin Beltran, Koi Nation Chairman

The Koi Nation has already started the government approval process by submitting an application to the U.S. Department of Interior to take the tribe's 68-acre vineyard site near Shiloh Ranch Regional Park into federal trust for the purpose of building the Shiloh Resort & Casino. The federal process is expected to take 2-4 years.

Opposition to the casino is already forming. Local residents have met to discuss legal options to stop the project. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have also expressed strong opposition with this statement:

"My tribe, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, strongly opposes the Koi Nation's attempt to acquire 68 acres of land in trust for a casino and hotel in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. This is an egregious attempt at reservation shopping outside the Koi Nation's traditional territory and within the territory of other federally recognized tribes."

- Greg Sarris, Chairman Graton Rancheria

Shiloh Resort & Casino plans include a casino with 2,500 slot machines, six restaurants, a hotel with 400 guest rooms and a conference center.

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Shiloh Resort & Casino plans announced for Sonoma County

September 17, 2021

The Koi Nation announced plans Wednesday to build a $600 million resort casino on 68 acres of vineyards it recently purchased in Sonoma County. The tribe has submitted a casino application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs within the U.S. Department of Interior. If approved, the land would transfer into federal trust for the tribe giving the land sovereign rights over state juridiction, and allowing the tribe to build the casino.

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Koi Nation Plans Casino on Sonoma County Farmland - Courtesy of KPIX CBS SF Bay Area, Sep 16, 2021. Available from YouTube

If approved by the federal govenment, the Shiloh Resort & Casino can operate Class II gaming without state approval. The tribe intends to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the state which will allow Vegas-style slot machines and table games. In return the tribe will pay the state a percentage of net revenues.

The federal approval process will begin within a few months with the an environmental impact study following by a report and public hearings. That is expected to take about a year.

It is likely there will be lawsuits filed by casino opponents that may delay the approval process. The Shiloh Resort & Casino project should be approved within 2-4 years; however, the lawsuits could extend that time indefinitely.

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News Headlines Continued

2024

Shiloh Resort & Casino | Graton Suit Delays Fed Approval December 23, 2024 - In an 11th-hour lawsuit filed by Graton Rancheria against the U.S. Department of the Interior, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday to stop ... Read more Shiloh Casino | One Step from Fed Approval November 24, 2024 - SONOMA COUNTY - The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has one more step to complete before deciding whether to approve an application from the Koi Nation to build ... Read more Shiloh Resort & Casino complies with Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Sonoma County, CA) September 29, 2024 - The Shiloh Casino project is opposed by Gov. Newsom and regional tribes in a dispute over ancestral land claimed by the ... Read more Koi Nation repudiates Gov. Newsom's opposition to Sonoma casino project August 25, 2024 - The Koi Nation of Northern California released an immediate statement in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's letter of opposition to the U.S. Dept ... Read more Shiloh Resort Casino Project opposed by California Gov. Newsom August 22, 2024 - California Governor Gavin Newsom has sent a letter to the US Department of the Interior (DOI) expressing his opposition to the Shiloh Casino Project ... Read more Shiloh Casino Project Advances in Sonoma County | July 2024 Update July 24, 2024 - The Shiloh Resort & Casino project proposed for Sonoma County, California, is advancing through the federal approval process ... Read more Shiloh Resort and Casino Project | March 2024 Update March 19, 2024 - Sonoma County residents are invited to comment on the upcoming federal Environmental Impact Statement covering the Koi Nation casino project near Santa Rosa, California ... Read more Shiloh Resort & Casino Project Gains Support - Update Jan. 2024 January 13, 2024 - The Koi Nation's plan to build a $600 million casino resort in Sonoma County is waiting for a decision from the U.S. Department of Interior. The Koi tribe applied for ... Read more

2023

Shiloh Casino Project in Sonoma County - Update Oct. 2023 October 27, 2023 - The public comment period for the Shiloh Resort & Casino's environmental assessment report has ended. The deadline set by the Bureau of Indian Affairs was October 27th ... Read more Shiloh Casino Project in Sonoma County - Update Sept. 2023 September 26, 2023 - A major milestone has been reached in the approval process for the Koi Nation's proposed plan to build a $600 million casino resort in Sonoma County ... Read more

2022

Shiloh Casino & Resort Design - Animation Video July 26, 2022 - Koi Nation released a new animated video this week touring the proposed Shiloh Casino & Resort. The purpose of the video is to show the environmental-friendliness and energy-efficiency in the ... Read more Shiloh Casino Project Update - Sonoma County, June 2022 June 16, 2022 - Sonoma County is preparing a formal response to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regarding the Koi Nation plans to build an Indian gaming casino near Windsor, California. The County is soliciting ... Read more Sonoma casino project is opposed by County April 8, 2022 - The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a resolution opposing the Koi Nation's plan to build a casino at 222 East Shiloh Road near Windsor. The resolution along with letters ... Read more Shiloh Casino project in Sonoma County secures powerful, political support from labor union February 18, 2022 - The Koi Nation gained the support of labor last week in a deal with the Northern California Carpenters Union. The tribe signed a binding letter of intent to ... Read more Koi Nation partners with Chickasaw Nation for Sonoma County casino project February 3, 2022 - The Koi Nation of Northern California plans to build a $600 million casino resort north of San Francisco. Last week the small tribe announced it is partnering with the Chickasaw Nation ... Read more

2021

Shiloh Resort & Casino begins long approval process and legal battles September 24, 2021 - The Koi Nation began a long and difficult journey last week after announcing plans to build the $600 million Shiloh Resort & Casino in Sonoma County. The tribe must now fight ... Read more Shiloh Resort & Casino plans announced for Sonoma County September 17, 2021 - The Koi Nation announced plans Wednesday to build a $600 million resort casino on 68 acres of vineyards it recently purchased in Sonoma County. ... Read more