“It’s a very competitive market … that’s why you change up what you have, like with Pechanga’s expansion and with Sycuan,” said Howard Stutz, executive editor of Las Vegas-based CDC Gaming Reports and an SDSU grad. In that time, San Diego emerged as a viable alternative to Las Vegas for locals, as well as visitors from Orange and Riverside counties, Northern Baja and Arizona.īut with San Manuel Casino, in Highland, developing a $550 million hotel resort, as well multiple Riverside County casinos currently expanding, the pressure is on for San Diego-area casinos, particularly those in North County. Southern California has been a hotbed of casino competition for at least the last 10 years.

Gaming revenue has grown at a higher rate in California over the past few years during 2016-2017, it increased 7.3 percent, versus 3.9 percent nationally. While individual tribes do not release information on their annual revenue, the most recent figures compiled by the National Indian Gaming Commission show that gambling in California is booming, bringing in $9 billion during fiscal year 2016-2017, or more than a quarter of the $32.4 billion total revenue nationwide.

“That is a hallmark of Sycuan - giving back,” the mayor said. “This economic self-sufficiency brings benefits to the entire region,” Faulconer said, adding that the tribe should be recognized for its prolific philanthropy. “And today, we delivered on that promise.”įaulconer noted that 1,200 construction jobs were created during the two-year build-out of the 12-story, 302-room hotel, new restaurants, a full-service spa, pool complex with a lazy river, event space, a 1,200-set entertainment venue and 60,000 square feet of additional casino floor space. “Just two years ago, we broke ground and we committed to becoming the premiere gaming destination in San Diego County,” said Sycuan tribal chairman Cody Martinez.

“The casino market condition in Southern California is severely predatory and promotionally over-heated,” said Fred Buro, Pala’s newly appointed CEO.īut at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday attended by San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, Sycuan tribal leaders and executives were bullish on the new resort’s potential as an economic engine. And Pala Casino Resort & Spa has shelved its plan to build a new hotel tower and has undergone several rounds of layoffs, including the ouster of the CEO.

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