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Shoshone-Paiute Tribes' Casino Project Awaits Key Federal Approval

A year after filing, the tribe's fee-to-trust application remains under review by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with a decision expected to take 12 to 18 months.

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Shoshone-Paiute Tribes casino project awaits key federal approval - Courtesy of Idaho News 6, Sep 15, 2026. Available from YouTube

DUCK VALLEY, Idaho, Sept. 21, 2026 - One year after the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes formally applied to the federal government to build the tribe's first casino, the project remains in limbo as it awaits a decision from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

The Shoshone-Paiute Business Council filed its fee-to-trust application with the U.S. Department of the Interior, asking the federal government to take land into trust on behalf of the tribe for gaming purposes. The proposed site sits along Interstate 84 between Boise and Mountain Home, straddling Ada and Elmore counties - land the tribe acquired specifically for the project, though it is not contiguous with the tribe's existing Duck Valley Reservation.

Fee-to-trust applications for gaming typically take 12 to 18 months to review, according to tribal officials, putting a decision within reach in the coming months. The timeline ultimately depends on approval from the Secretary of the Interior and concurrence from the state of Idaho.

"It will be a fundamental change to the people for the better if you have revenue to put into education, healthcare and public safety." - Shoshone-Paiute Chairman Brian Mason
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The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes are the only federally recognized tribe in Idaho without a casino, and tribal leaders have described the project as a generational opportunity to address chronic shortfalls on the Duck Valley Reservation, including a housing deficit, teacher shortages, and limited access to healthcare. The tribe is partnering with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, which is providing upfront investment and will help manage the resort once it opens.

Tribal officials have said the project would create thousands of jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars annually for Idaho's economy, with 5% of casino revenue dedicated to local schools and education programs.

By the Numbers

Application filed: ~1 year ago

Expected review window: 12-18 months

Reviewing agency: Bureau of Indian Affairs / Dept. of the Interior

Location: Ada/Elmore County line, between Boise and Mountain Home

Project partner: Coeur d'Alene Tribe


Until the BIA issues its determination, construction cannot move forward. The tribe has said it will continue to update members and the public as the application progresses through the federal review process.

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