Business is down almost 8 percent at Sonoma County’s River Rock Casino, as worried consumers cut back on gambling trips, casino officials said Monday.
“Everyone knows the current environment is very challenging,” said Shawn Smyth, River Rock’s CEO.
The tribal casino in Alexander Valley posted $32.3 million in revenue for the third quarter ending Sept. 30, compared to $35 million for the same period last year.
River Rock, owned by the Dry Creek Pomo tribe, has 35,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,600 slot and video poker machines. The casino also has table games and a restaurant.
Two Eureka residents have been arrested on charges connected to the burglary and embezzlement of approximately $37,000 from the Blue Lake Casino, according to the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Gaming Commission.
Casino employee Eva Pedro, 21, was arrested Thursday night, after months of investigation by the California Department of Justice. Later that evening, after a brief chase by DOJ officers, Christopher L. Wilkins, 29, was also arrested.
Blue Lake Casino Manager Mandi Lewis said, “We are very concerned when these situations happen and have improved our procedures accordingly.” Lewis went on to say, “Thanks to our expert gaming commission, these kinds of events are rare.”
It's a $530 million bet in a dicey economy.
The Sacramento area's newest Indian casino, the Red Hawk Casino off Highway 50 in Shingle Springs, is ready to open just as consumers are snapping shut their wallets. The casino industry is slumping, revenues are falling and some operators are running into financial stress.
Analysts say Red Hawk probably won't do as well at the start as originally forecast by its owners, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. The casino opens in late December.
"You're going to see less traffic than you would in a good economy," said Ken Adams, a gambling consultant in Reno.
Southern California gamblers and visitors had more voting to do recently other than for national, state, and local political elections. They had a chance to vote on the best of the local casinos and the Inland Empire didn't fare well.
Votes in 23 categories on casino services resulted in 14 positions for Inland Empire casinos, including two first places, in a poll conducted by The Gaming Guide, a monthly publication published by a San Diego company and distributed throughout Southern California.
The United Auburn Indian Community was recognized last week as the “Outstanding Grantmaker” for its philanthropic role in Placer County.
The recognition by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, California Capital Chapter, on Nov. 3 was in honor of National Philanthropy Day.
The Morongo Resort Casino & Spa has laid off 95 people, making it the latest Indian casino in the region to scale back in the face of the growing economic downturn, the tribe announced Tuesday.
All of the employees are dealers or table-game operators and represent 5 percent of the casino's work force.
Representatives gathered last Friday in front of Banning City Hall to publicize an agreement between the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the City of Banning and Riverside County, an historic agreement to build a road linking Banning and Cabazon.
The road, which would cross Indian land, would serve as an alternate route in case of a closure of Interstate 10 in the Banning-Cabazon area, officials said. The route could cost upwards of $20 million.
11/19/2008
Casino slowdown hits River Rock
11/19/2008
Two casino workers arrested on suspicion of burglary, embezzlement
11/17/2008
Red Hawk Casino betting against the downturn
11/14/2008
Inland casinos do just OK in visitor's poll
11/13/2008
Blue Goose project beneficiary of UAIC