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North Fork Mono Casino opens in Madera after decades of effort

The $750 million resort, managed by Station Casinos, offers over 2,400 slot machines and 40 table games.

Cole Harrington · Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2026 · More from this writer

MADERA · The North Fork Mono Casino opened in Madera, California, on Tuesday, one day earlier than expected. The $750 million resort is managed by Station Casinos LLC, a subsidiary of Red Rock Resorts, in partnership with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians. The property offers more than 2,400 slot machines and 40 table games, including an exclusive high-limit room with 138 slots and 10 tables. Hundreds of people attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with tribe members among the first to enter.

"This is yours. This is ours. This is our gambling house," tribe leader Elaine Bethel Fink said during the celebration. Fink thanked supporters for their patience and said the casino represents a major step toward economic self-sufficiency for the tribe, which has more than 3,000 members. "It means so much to me because we've existed on programs and grants to have a property like this to bring more revenue in for our people," she said.

The casino's flagship restaurant is Manzanita Steakhouse, which features more than 250 local and international wine labels curated by a master sommelier. It serves farm-to-table cuisine alongside live piano music and cocktails prepared by an in-house mixologist. "Our focus is to also make those luxury options affordable because we want anyone and everyone to feel welcome here," said the restaurant's general manager, Connor Jessop. Other dining and entertainment options include Clubhouse 99, a sports bar with 56 television screens and more than 20 beers on tap. The mall-style food court offers coffee, pizza, burgers, Asian food and a Mexican kitchen. Several bars throughout the property are named after natural landmarks in the North Fork region, such as Whiskey Falls and Rock Creek.

The opening follows decades of efforts by the tribe and faces ongoing legal challenges. The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, which operates a nearby casino, has a pending federal lawsuit seeking to stop the North Fork casino. Both tribes are awaiting a federal judge's decision on whether to suspend operations or dismiss the lawsuit. Tribal treasurer Maryann McGovran said she did not want to hold grudges over the legal disputes, describing the opening as "a beautiful time."

General manager Mark Ward said the years of delays allowed the casino to incorporate community feedback, resulting in more slot machines than originally planned. Former Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler, a North Fork resident, called the casino a culmination of a long fight. "We finally got it after all these years. It's just the gold mine for our people and our tribal members," Wheeler said. He said the project is expected to create 1,500 jobs and generate millions for local roads and schools. The California Highway Patrol is warning drivers to expect increased traffic and possible delays along Highway 99 due to the grand opening. The agency recommends alternate routes and advises allowing extra travel time. Future development plans for the 300-acre site include a hotel, parking garage, entertainment centre, conference centre and a gas station.