This story was updated at 5:24 p.m. EST.
A trio of tribal nations on the West Coast won approval from the Biden administration for new lands — effectively clearing the way for proposed casino facilities — despite a contentious debate that drew Native American tribes, congressional lawmakers and state officials into the fray.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs on Friday approved requests from both the Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians in California to take land into trust, and making those parcels eligible for use as future gaming facilities.
The agency announced late Monday it would also approve a third application that would allow the Koi Nation to gain land for a casino in the heart of California’s wine country.
