“The tribe really wanted to concentrate on its core business,” he said, which is local gamblers. He said the tribe is eschewing extra features such as a theater for now. Equipment will be moved to the new facility in phases and there should only be about two hours between closing the current casino and opening the new one. Sirois said the two casinos will not operate at the same time.

There still will be 2,000 slot machines and 24 table games, the maximum the tribe is allowed under its gaming compact with the state. It’s not so much a new casino, but the relocation of the current gaming house with the same number of machines and tables. Some of those amenities may come in future phases, Sirois said. When the project was announced in May 2015, plans included a 729,000-square-foot resort with a mix of shops, restaurants, a convention center, arena, spa and fitness center as well as a tribal fire station and a gas station with a convenience store. The facility is expected to employ 700 to 800 people.Ĭasino General Manager Scott Sirois said he can’t reveal the cost of the project, but acknowledged it was several million dollars.

Soboba casino layout