After a closed session discussion Monday, the Petaluma City Council decided not to join a lawsuit against the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park.
The city was approached by a citizen-led, anti-casino group called Stop the Graton Casino Coalition earlier this month. The group asked the city to join its lawsuit opposing the Graton Rancheria tribe's gaming compact with the state, arguing that a win against that tribe could set a precedent that would help prevent the Dry Creek tribe from building a second casino south of town on 277 acres of land at Kastania Road. The coalition argued that if the Graton Resort & Casino doesn't open, revenue won't be pulled away from Dry Creek's Geyserville casino, and there will be no need for Dry Creek to try and build a casino south of town.
Recently, a Sonoma County judge ruled against the Stop the Graton Casino Coalition. The group is appealing the decision. The City Council did not explain why it chose not to join the lawsuit.
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