Judge Rules Coquille Tribe of Oregon Can Continue Gaming Operations in Medford

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ruled that the Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon may continue operating its gaming facility in South Medford, upholding the US Department of the Interior’s decision to place approximately 2.4 acres of land into trust for the Tribe and permit gaming at the site. Judge Rules in Favor of Coquille Tribe The decision comes after more than a decade of back-and-forth between the Coquille Indian Tribe and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Karuk Tribe, and the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation. Last week, US District Judge Amit P. Mehta denied an appeal previously filed by the three former tribes and granted summary judgment to the federal government and to the Coquille Tribe. Interestingly, the Coquille tribe began gaming operations in South Mefrord last year, when the legal battle was still in full swing. In a statement, tribal officials said the gaming facility would continue operating, with revenues used to “fund critical services, programs, and support for current and future generations of tribal citizens.” Coquille Indian Tribal Council chairwoman Brenda Meade said the federal judge’s ruling confirmed that the Coquille Restoration Act allows the Tribe to provide for its citizens and rebuild its economy in the five counties identified by Congress. Meade explained that the ruling also affirmed the Tribe’s sovereignty and strengthened the Restoration Act. She described the decision as significant and honored the Tribe’s past chiefs and elders who supported the project when it was still an idea and trusted future generations to bring it to fruition. How Did the Judge Land on the Decision The lawsuit challenged the US Department of the Interior’s January 2025 approval on several grounds, but the court rejected all of the claims. At the center of the case was the Coquille Tribe’s Restoration Act of 1989. It restored the Tribe’s federal recognition and authorized the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust within its five-county service area: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Lane. Because the Medford property falls within that designated service area, the court determined that it qualifies as “restored lands” under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, allowing the Tribe to conduct gaming at the site. The Medford City Council, which initially opposed the casino, later softened its position. However, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., criticized the Interior Department’s decision. he called it a “casino arms race” and a “reckless choice by D.C. bureaucrats” that, he said, could push Oregon into an uncontrolled expansion of gambling with no end in sight. In other news from Oregon, the state indicted the founder of a non-profit organization as allegations arose that he was using its money to fuel his gambling habits.