It's taken more than a decade but the Karuk Tribe has finally opened the doors to its long-awaited casino in northern California.
Tribal citizens were the first to experience the Rain Rock Casino this past Saturday. The facility is now open to the public and a grand opening takes place on Thursday. The 36,000 square-foot facility features 349 slot machines, eight card tables, a stage and a restaurant, bar and cafe, Action News Now reported. It's located in Yreka. The casino has been in the works for more than a decade. The project finally moved forward after the National Indian Gaming Commission issued a favorable Indian land determination for the site in 2012 and the state approved a Class III gaming compact in 2014. Agreements with the local community were finalized in 2014 and 2015. Groundbreaking took place July 2016 but rain and weather delayed progress, according to the tribe's update page. An opening had been anticipated last May. The tribe plans on expanding the facility sometime in the future. Plans call for a hotel and a larger gaming floor. Read More on the Story: