Fort Mojave Tribe Secures New California Gaming Compact - But No Casino Plans Yet

The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe has finalized a new Class III gaming compact with the State of California, gaining full authorization to operate casino gaming within its California reservation lands. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the agreement on July 21, 2026, marking the tribe's first updated California gaming compact in more than a decade.

No Casino Sites or Development Plans Identified

The compact contains no casino site, no project description, no environmental filings, and no development timeline. California has granted the tribe gaming rights, but the tribe has not announced any intention to build a casino in the state.

Spirit Mountain Casino Remains the Tribe's Active Project

The timing of the compact comes as the tribe is actively developing its new Spirit Mountain Casino in Mohave Valley, Arizona - a modernization project replacing its older facility. The Arizona project remains the tribe's only confirmed construction effort, with no California counterpart currently planned.

Avi Resort & Casino Expansion Under Review

Across the river in Nevada, the tribe continues to evaluate a major expansion or full rebuild of the Avi Resort & Casino, its largest gaming property. Tribal officials have previously described the Avi site as the centerpiece of future development, suggesting that Nevada remains the tribe's primary focus for large-scale resort investment.

Compact May Serve as Future Authorization

The new California compact appears to function as a future-authorization measure, securing gaming rights in the state without committing to a project. This approach is common among tribes with multi-state reservation lands, allowing them to avoid regulatory delays if they choose to pursue development later.

What Comes Next

For now, the Fort Mojave Tribe's gaming expansion remains centered in Arizona and Nevada. California has granted the legal pathway - but the tribe has not yet taken the next step.