Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino facts for kids

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
Address	711 Lucky Lane Coarsegold, California 93614
Opening date	June 25, 2003
No. of rooms	400+
Total gaming space	56,000 sq ft (5,200 m2)
Notable restaurants	California Market Buffet Vintage Steakhouse Nativos Noodle Bar Asian Bistro Goldfields Cafe The Bakery Firehouse Lounge
Casino type	Land-based
Owner	Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians
Renovated in	2005
Website	http://www.chukchansigold.com/

The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino is a fun place located in Coarsegold, California. It's found just off State Route 41, between the city of Fresno and the famous Yosemite National Park.

This resort and casino is owned and run by the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians. It is a "Native American casino," which means it is built on land belonging to a Native American tribe. The casino has a large gaming area, with many slot machines and table games. It also has over 400 hotel rooms, a spa, and several restaurants like a buffet and a steakhouse.

History of Chukchansi Gold

Building the Resort

In June 2000, the Picayune Rancheria Tribe of Chukchansi Indians shared their plans. They wanted to build a resort and casino close to Yosemite National Park. Construction was supposed to start in August 2000.

However, there were some delays before building could begin. In March 2002, the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the resort casino project. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino finally happened on October 29, 2002. The project was expected to cost around $150 million.

Opening and Beyond

The casino part of the resort first opened its doors on June 25, 2003. A little later, the hotel resort opened on August 22, 2003. In 2006, the casino bought the naming rights for Chukchansi Park in Fresno. This is a sports stadium in the city.

A Temporary Closure and Reopening

On October 9, 2014, the casino faced a difficult situation and had to close the next day. This happened because of a disagreement within the tribe about who should lead the casino.

After the closure, new leaders were brought in to help run the casino again. They worked with different groups to make sure the casino could reopen safely. They also made an agreement to protect jobs and benefits for about 700 casino employees.

The casino officially reopened on December 31, 2015. A special Grand Reopening Ceremony was held on January 15, 2016, to celebrate.