Enterprise Rancheria celebrates major milestone at long-awaited casino

Thursday, February 14, 2019  

It's only taken 17 years but the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria is finally going to open a casino in northern California.

The tribe held a topping-off ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain on Wednesday. The facility is expected to debut later this year.

"This is truly a great day for our tribe and community and for the workers, customers and business partners of our region," Chairperson Glenda Nelson said in a press release.

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, a process that took about a decade.

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 in May 2018. 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 but the litigation delayed the project several more years.

Fire Mountain 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.

"Partnering with Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe is a real game changer with their world-recognized brand, commitment to premium quality experiences across a full spectrum of hospitality and entertainment options, and unique corporate values make them a dream partner for us," Chairperson Nelson said.

Yuba County casino landmark noted (The Marysville / Yuba City Appeal-Democrat February 3, 2019)
Oroville Tribe Celebrates New Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at Topping-Off Ceremony (FOX40 February 13, 2019)
Hard Rock Wheatland casino places final beam, hopeful for late 2019 opening (The Sacramento Bee February 14, 2019)

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 sees progress on 'Hard Rock' development (November 29, 2018)
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)