Enterprise Rancheria sees progress on 'Hard Rock' development

Thursday, November 29, 2018  

The Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians is on track with its long-awaited casino in California.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain is under construction in Yuba County. The facility is expected to open within 15 months, The Marysville Appeal-Democrat reported.

When it does, the casino will be headed by Mark Birtha, a veteran of the gaming industry. He currently serves as president of a Hard Rock property in Ohio.

"As an industry leader, Mark is the perfect candidate to bridge the exciting collaboration between the two tribes," Chairperson Glenda Nelson said in a press release. "We are pleased to unite with one of the most exciting and authentic gaming, hospitality and entertainment leaders in the world and can't wait to see what the future holds."

The casino is being built on a 40 acre site near Sacramento, the state capital, that was placed in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2012. The decision came after the tribe secured federal, as well as state, approval to open the casino.

The Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, which operates an existing casino in the Sacramento area, challenged the acquisition but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the BIA's decision this past May. The tribe did not mount an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, thus putting an end to the litigation.

The United Auburn Indian Community, another tribe with a Sacramento-area casino, also had challenged the new development. The tribe did not participate in the appeal to the 9th Circuit, however.

The Enterprise Rancheria is also known as the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe. The tribe's 40-acre site is about 35 miles north of Sacramento.

A subsidiary of Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc., which is owned by the Seminole Tribe, is developing and managing the facility.

"We feel so fortunate to be able to partner with them. Two tribes working together is just fabulous,” Chairperson Nelson told The Appeal-Democrat.

Hard Rock names president for Yuba County resort, casino (The Marysville Appeal-Democrat November 28, 2018)

Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community v. Zinke (May 2, 2018)

Land Acquisitions; Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California (December 3, 2012)

Enterprise Rancheria eyes 'Hard Rock Sacramento' after tribal homelands victory (July 2, 2018)
Yet another federal appeals court backs restoration of tribal homelands (May 2, 2018)
Enterprise Rancheria casino work in limbo due to legal challenge (October 31, 2016)
United Auburn Indian Community loses suit against new casino (10/14)
Enterprise Rancheria wins federal approval to offer Class III games (08/15)
Enterprise Rancheria puts a pause on casino work amid uncertainty (8/11)
Enterprise Rancheria waits on Bureau of Indian Affairs for Class III gaming (07/08)
Enterprise Rancheria awaits action on Class III gaming compact (7/4)
Enterprise Rancheria on track to debut gaming facility next year (06/03)
Bryan Newland: Bill grants states a veto over tribal gaming rights (05/16)
Steve Stallings: Compact process respects tribal and state rights (5/16)
Maryann McGovran: Don't be fooled by efforts of 'wealthy' tribes (5/13)
Claudia Gonzales: Off-reservation gaming fuels attacks on tribes (5/13)
Bill blocks Class III gaming at two specific off-reservation casinos (5/6)
New bill takes aim at casinos opposed by rival tribes in California (5/2)
Enterprise Rancheria shares $811K as casino work finally begins (04/11)
Enterprise Rancheria looking to expand gaming facility in phases (4/8)
Enterprise Rancheria set to start work on $170M Class II facility (4/7)
Bureau of Indian Affairs still moves slowly on casino applications (04/01)
Enterprise Rancheria plans to move forward with compact talks (02/24)
Enterprise Rancheria wins decision in gaming compact lawsuit (2/19)