California is about to get a massive new casino that rivals Vegas' best

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | October 3, 2025 | By Andrew Pridgen

[artichokegrower]

The Hard Rock Casino Tejon, a partnership between the Tejon Indian Tribe and Florida-based Hard Rock international, is set to swing its doors open for the first time on Nov. 13, more than a month ahead of its original expected opening date.

[artichokegrower]

So much for the Native Americans protecting the Sacred Land from the evil colonizers

[artichokegrower]

Things have changed since 1970

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0sxwGlTLWw

[decal]

Meanwhile, I can place bets from my phone.

Bigbox casinos will go the way of bigbox colleges.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

--- "So much for the Native Americans protecting the Sacred Land from the evil colonizers"

Sacred Money. It's worldwide!

"Nestled at the base of the historic Grapevine Mountain Pass at the southernmost tip of the San Joaquin Valley, the new property is poised to serve both Southern California and Central Valley markets."

I's SHAKING with excitement. What's funny is Brightline West, now. Their business model was a high-speed rail to Vegas. Siphon off gamblers for Tejon, and the Brightline investment looks shakier.

California shakin'!.....

[Bob434]

Criminals everywhere lining up to steal just under $1000 from the casino- they all anxious and excited now

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"So much for the Native Americans protecting the Sacred Land from the evil colonizers"

Touché!! Best comment of the week.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“Nestled at the base of the historic Grapevine Mountain Pass...”

So much for the beauty of the north end of Grapevine grade.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

If the land is tribal land California state law does not apply. Federal does but not state or local.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

But at least it will make Mettler famous. Sort of.

Good though, because the tribe says it will be "nestled."

[Wuli]

The location is south of Bakersfield, California near the northern base of a stretch of Interstate 5 known as the Grapevine - a route that goes across the Tejon Pass in the mountains south of Bakersfield, north of Los Angeles. The Grapevine gets about 70,000 vehicles each day. That’s 70,000 sets of persons who will see the casino from the highway every day with or without plans to go there. I believe the location alone is going to be part of its success.

[ronnie raygun]

more money for gavin and bass’s utopia

[Orosius]

They’ll do great business when the pass is closed by winter snowfall.

[Getready]

I don’t know why the reservations aren’t being used for better industries like farming, midsize manufacturing, unwoke education, Is it forbidden by treaty?

[PalominoGuy]

...well, that happens maybe once a decade!?? Snow on the ground seldom lasts more than a day... the Valley grows crops in all 4 seasons! ymmv

[BBB333]

“Criminals everywhere lining up to steal just under $1000 from the casino- they all anxious and excited now”

---

Think again (no disrespect intended).

I used to be in the gaming industry (our company invented the 1st multi-game touchscreen ‘slot machine’) — I was technical service manager and travelled the world extensively.
The security at the Native American (NA) casinos is unparalleled. I was in Mohegan Sun Resort at 3:00 AM doing a training session for the ‘slot crew’ when it was time to ‘dump’ (remove the bills) the machines in the section of the casino we were at...The slot crew led me away to a safe spot then 50 LARGE NA’s circled the section - one man was reluctant to leave his machine, he was asked twice politely to leave (being assured his machine and balance was safe)..but he had to say something impolite and he was escorted outside, face down I’m told) and his balance was given to him rather quickly...

Just down the road at Foxwoods Casino every shift change 4,000 employees depart and 4,000 employees arrive. You should see the local cops direct traffic.

You just don’t screw with NA casinos...I’ve been to 50+ of them and it’s the same at each of them.

[artichokegrower]

Meanwhile north of Sacramento another casino developed by the Hard Rock Tribe

The tribe that owns the Wheatland, California casino is the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria. The casino is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, and it is located on land owned by the Enterprise Rancheria Tribe.
Here are some key details about the tribe and the casino:
Tribal Name: Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria.
Casino Name: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain.
Location: Wheatland, California, north of Sacramento.
Partnership: The casino is a partnership between the Enterprise Rancheria Tribe and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, who own Hard Rock International.
Expansion: The Enterprise Rancheria Tribe is expanding its holdings by acquiring nearby land to create a larger sports and entertainment district.

https://casino.hardrock.com/sacramento

[beethovenfan]

How about something useful, like a new refinery?

[Dr. Sivana]

Bigbox casinos will go the way of bigbox colleges.

Maybe among those who want unfiltered gambling, but many like the environment. The serious poker players likely want real people to look at and interact with.

They will change. But we still have movie theatres, and video arcades, and sit down restaurants that serve heated frozen dinners. They don't go away, they just adjust.

[Wuli]

It won’t be Vegas - now.

But over time the area - an unincorporated town of Mettler - has so much land open for development - it could overtake Vegas.

[Vaduz]

Massive new casino that rivals Vegas

Follow home robbers see new income spot.