MEDFORD, OR – A significant milestone was reached this weekend in the push for a casino in Medford, as the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a record of decision approving the Coquille Tribe’s request to move forward with plans to build a casino in the city.
The Coquille Tribe, based in Coos County, has owned the land on South Pacific Highway in South Medford for more than a decade. In addition to the land, the tribe also owns the nearby Bear Creek golf center and the Compass by Margaritaville hotel. The tribe’s existing operation, the Mill Casino in North Bend, is a Class 3 facility, which offers a wide range of gaming options. The Medford casino, however, is envisioned as a Class 2 facility, featuring over 600 slot machines but no table games.
The Coquille Tribe’s efforts to establish a casino in Medford have been part of a broader strategy to diversify its business interests and ensure the tribe’s long-term economic security. Tribe leaders have long stated that, in addition to creating more opportunities for economic development, the inland casino would help the tribe mitigate risks from natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis along the coast.
With the approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Coquille Tribe is now poised to proceed with the next steps in the project. However, local law enforcement officials are already preparing for the impacts a facility of this size could have on the community.
Medford Police Chief Justin Ivens and Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler have both emphasized the importance of cooperation between local agencies and the casino’s security team to ensure public safety. Ivens noted that discussions with the tribe’s security personnel have been ongoing, with the goal of ensuring that the casino operates safely within the city.
“If things get to a point where we feel there are more calls for service than expected, we’ll definitely have those conversations,” Ivens said.
While Medford’s city government has maintained a neutral stance on the casino proposal, local officials have expressed positive views on its potential economic impact. Medford City Councilor Kevin Stine described the casino as an “economic engine” that could provide significant investment and job opportunities in the region.
“The tribe has already made a big investment in an area that needed it,” Stine said. “I see a lot of good for the community in terms of what they’re able to do. I see economic development opportunities and more job opportunities.”
Despite local support, the project faces opposition from other tribes in the region. The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, based in neighboring Douglas County, has pledged to continue fighting the Medford casino effort. However, with federal approval in place, the Coquille Tribe appears to have cleared a significant hurdle in bringing the casino to fruition.
The project remains in its early stages, but as the tribe moves forward with its plans, all eyes will be on Medford to see how the development unfolds and whether it lives up to the anticipated economic promises.