The 2011 court verdict, which drew considerable attention in the Indian casino industry, almost put it over the edge. Red Hawk opened off Highway 50 near Shingle Springs in late 2008, during the depths of the recession, and struggled mightily in its early years to win customers. The 3rd District Court of Appeal ruled that the ex-partner’s claims weren’t valid because his contract with the tribe was never approved by the federal agency that oversees Indian casinos. Nearly six years after a jury said Red Hawk’s tribal owners owed millions to its former business partner, a state appeals court wiped the verdict off the books. Red Hawk Casino hit a jackpot of its own Friday, fending off a $30 million court judgment that once threatened its existence.
The tribe that owns Red Hawk won a major court ruling that erased a $30 million jury verdict against the tribe. Casey Mayville, far left, Mark Kroon and his fiance Chloe Lee play the slots opening night at Red Hawk Casino in 2008.
