Tribal casino market in California regains footing after downturn

Monday, April 13, 2015

The Graton Resort and Casino in California. Photo from Facebook

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Tribal casinos in California took in $6.994 billion in 2013, according to the new edition of Casino City's Indian Gaming Industry Report, a sign that the market is recovering after the nationwide economic recession.

The report shows that tribes are not yet at the record $7.8 billion they saw in 2007, a year before the recession. But the state still represents the largest Indian gaming market in the U.S.

“The state can spur growth for the whole Indian gaming industry,” economist Alan Meister, the author of the report, told Howard Stutz for The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Only one new casino opened in the state in the last two years. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in northern California debuted the $800 million Graton Resort and Casino in November 2013 so its impact won't be fully seen until Meister's next report.

Artist's rendering of the Hollywood Casino Jamul in California. Image from JIV

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Only one other casino is under active development. The Jamul Indian Village in southern California expects to open a $360 million facility sometime in 2016.

Other new casinos remain mired in political and legal controversy. But Meister said tribes with existing facilities have nearly 30 expansion and remodeling projects in the works.

Get the Story:
Howard Stutz: California tribal gaming market regains momentum (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 4/12) Related Stories:
Off-reservation gaming dead in tracks after California election (04/06)
Report puts tribal gaming industry revenues at $28.3B in 2013 (03/31)
Graton Rancheria to make decision about adding casino hotel (01/13)
Jamul Band finishes excavation work for $360M gaming facility (12/17)