At least four tribal-run casinos opened in the western state in November, and another is scheduled to open in December.
The most historic casino opening is Navajo Nation's first challenge to casino gambling, along with Fire Rock Casino in Churchrock, NM, which opened on November 19. The Navajo tribe suffered a lot during the opening process, but weathered the storm and officials had bright smiles on their faces at the huge turnout for the grand opening.
The casino houses 472 slot machines, a bingo hall, blackjack and five poker tables with native dealers, and the casino has 272 employees, 92% of whom are native to Navajo. Fire Rock Casino Expected To Bring Up To $35M In Revenue To Navajo Nation.
Snoqualmie Casino opened earlier this month near North Bend, Washington, offering more than 1,000 new jobs. The project costs $375 million and the 170,000-square-foot facility includes 1,700 slot machines and a smoke-free poker room with eight tables and 50 game tables. The complex also has high-end facilities, including a cigar lounge complete with a large humidifier, famous shows like Jessica Simpson at the Grand Ballroom, and five restaurants.
The Lone Burt Casino in the gila river Indian community opened on Nov. 20 with a ceremonial dance. This is the third casino in the tribe and brings more than 700 new jobs to the region. The 120,000 sq ft game hall has 850 slot machines, 24 blackjack tables, a bingo hall and a separate high limited game room. Other amenities include six restaurants, along with an outdoor yard, an entertainment area and a full service bar.
On the night of Nov. 10, the opening day of the Cherokee Casino Resort in West Siloam Springs, OK awarded a whopping $40,000 to a local visitor. Let's talk about starting things off nicely! The new complex offers over 200,000 square feet of gaming space, with 12,000 games in total. The game facility was just the first step in the complex, and a large food court and multi-story hotel with various kinds of food were later added. When completed, the complex will employ more than 1,000 people.
Sky Ute Casino Resort and Conference Center quietly opened on Nov. 18 with a grand opening weekend that ran from Nov. 28-30. Located at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, the casino has 540 slot machines, 12 table games and a bingo hall. Other amenities designed to appeal to the entire family include a spa/salon, 18-hole mini golf course, 24-site RV Park and 24-lane bowling center. For family-friendly themes, any part of the resort can be reached through the outside entrance without the need for parents to bring their children through the gaming floor.
On December 17, the Red Hawk Casino will open 30 minutes east of Sacramento, California. The casino will provide about 2,000 jobs in the area. Features include 2,000 slot machines, 75 table games, six restaurants, four bars, and a gift shop. The casino has one level of games and meals that are completely non-smoking.