Win-River Casino Resort - 2020 News Archive

Tribe sues city for blocking relocation of Win-River Casino

Redding Rancheria is suing the City of Redding for a questionable real estate transaction that effectively blocks public access to the Sacramento River-front property where the tribe plans to relocate the Win-River casino.

The tribe claims the city improperly sold property containing the only entryway into the tribe's relocation site. In a closed-door meeting earlier this year the city council designated this access property as exempt surplus land and authorized its sell to a private company, Shasta Land Holdings LLC, which is also named in the lawsuit.

In a statement, the Redding Rancheria explained:

"We believe the City of Redding has tried to kill the tribe's Casino Relocation project. By selling this public property to a private entity with deep pockets, the City of Redding is trying to prevent commercial access to the Tribe's I-5 property, which could prove detrimental to the viability of the Casino Relocation Project."

The lawsuit was filed in the Shasta County Superior Court on July 31.

Win-River Casino to reopen May 15

In a press release last week the Redding Rancheria authorized Win-River Resort & Casino to reopen its gaming operation in a limited capacity effective May 15.

The announcement was published on the Facebook page of Win-River Casino.

Redding Rancheria
May 8, 2020 at 12:09 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MAY 8, 2020

To make this important decision, we tracked local health data, consulted with our medical directors, and, ultimately, approved a robust and detailed reopening plan. The reopening plan prioritizes the well-being of our employees and guests and meets or exceeds federal, state, and county guidelines for operating businesses.

As part of the reopening plan, we will require temperature screenings of our employees and guests before they enter the casino. Employees and guests will also be required to wear appropriate facemasks inside the casino. Win-River Resort and Casino will provide facemasks as necessary.

Guests will also experience a variety of changes inside the casino, including a number of hand sanitizing stations, measures to maintain social distancing and ensure adequate spacing, limited food service, no alcohol sales, and plexiglass barriers where appropriate. We will continue to monitor the situation actively with a focus on public health and safety. As we all adjust to the new normal, please know that Redding Rancheria is here to support the entire community, not just our members, employees, patients, and guests.

Win-River Casino relocation placed 'On Hold'

In a statement released this week by the Redding Rancheria, the Win-River Casino plan to relocate has been placed on hold due to opposition by the Redding City Council and the Shasta County Board of Supervisors.

The statement from Redding Rancheria officials reads:

"Redding Rancheria has requested that the Bureau of Indian Affairs pause the environmental review process for the I-5 casino relocation project. We believe that the City and County's opposition to the project has caused concern among federal decision-makers within the Trump administration and may prove insurmountable. Redding Rancheria regrets that this opposition will postpone many job opportunities and other economic benefits that the project would have otherwise provided our local community. We will continue to try to work with our local leaders as we monitor the long-term plan for the I-5 casino relocation project."

The proposed project would build a new casino with a 69,541-square-feet gaming floor, 1,200 slot machines and 36 game tables. The plan includes a 9-story hotel with 250 rooms, a conference center, restaurants, event center with1,800 seats and an outdoor amphitheater with 1,500 seats.

Win-River Casino relocation project suffers setback

Four years after filing a land-to-trust application with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal approval to relocate and expand the size of the Win-River Casino at a new site south of Redding, the Redding Rancheria received a letter from the U.S. Department of the Interior stating the tribe's Casino Relocation Project requires state rather than federal approval.

When the tribe's application was filed in 2016, the federal government had the ultimate authority to approve the project. Now the process for this project has been changed according to the Interior Department's letter in light of a new decision by the California Supreme Court.

After receiving a significant number of concerns and opposition from the public and other parties including U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, which own the Rolling Hills Casino, the Interior Department wants the final decision made by the state.

The tribe's attorney, Mike Hollowell, downplayed the significance of the letter stating it is "just a procedural step" in the process. "While this is a disappointing development, it does not foreclose on the tribe's Casino Relocation Project. It's not an end of the project."