After years of legal battles and setbacks, the Coquille Indian Tribe’s plan to build a casino in Medford is finally moving forward once again. The tribe has received approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to put land into trust for the proposed casino site, a crucial step in the lengthy process of establishing the gaming facility.
The proposed casino, to be called the Coquille Medford Casino, would be located on a 2.42-acre parcel of land near South Pacific Highway and Oregon 62. The tribe has stated that the casino will be a Class II facility, meaning it will offer bingo-style electronic gaming machines rather than traditional slot machines.
The Coquille Indian Tribe first announced their intention to build a casino in Medford back in 2012, but their plans were met with fierce opposition from local government officials and competing tribes. The city of Medford filed a lawsuit in 2013 to block the casino, arguing that it would violate the city’s land use laws. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge in 2016.
Since then, the tribe has faced numerous delays and legal challenges in their efforts to move forward with the casino project. In 2018, the Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected the tribe’s application to put the land into trust, citing concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed development. The tribe then re-submitted their application with additional information addressing the BIA’s concerns, and it was finally approved in 2021.
The Coquille Medford Casino is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the tribe and the surrounding community. The tribe estimates that the casino will create 350 jobs and generate $3.5 million in annual revenue. In addition to gaming, the facility will also feature a restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue.
Despite the long and difficult road to approval, the Coquille Indian Tribe is optimistic about the future of the casino project. Tribal Chairman Brenda Meade released a statement expressing gratitude for the support of the community and local officials, and reaffirming the tribe’s commitment to responsible gaming practices.
Construction on the Coquille Medford Casino is expected to begin in the coming months, with an opening date tentatively set for late 2023. The tribe is hopeful that the casino will provide a much-needed economic boost to both the tribe and the city of Medford, and help to strengthen their ties with the local community.
