After two years of stop and start development, 2022 is the year California casinos go all-in.
Celebrity chef restaurants, hotels and a new casino in Elk Grove highlight what looks to be an expansive year for the California gambling industry.
A casino entertainment renaissance will follow as state health officials relax COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Elk Grove’s transformation to a destination
On March 9, 2021, the Wilton Rancheria Tribe and the Boyd Gaming Gaming Corporation broke ground on a casino site along Highway 99.
This new Sky River Casino, expected to open its doors in late 2022. It boasts a 110,260 square-foot gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines. Construction also includes a 12-story hotel with over 300 guest rooms.
Based on data from Boyd Gaming’s 28 casino properties, Sky River Casino will also bring an estimated 485 jobs to the area.
Harrah’s and Hell’s Kitchen
The past two years saw casino properties in California transform dining offerings. The closure of casino buffets and other dining concepts left casinos scrambling for replacements.
Last July, Harrah’s Resort Southern California announced a partnership with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to replace its closed Italian restaurant concept, Che Bello.
Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen will open in spring 2022, and it will be one of only four locations across the globe. The SoCal location seats 332 with a lounge and an elevated bar.
Yaamava’ luxury and style
Last year, Yaamava’ Resort and Casino finished construction on a 17-floor, 432 room hotel tower complete with a spa and a VIP lounge. The hotel’s pool deck opens in 2022.
Yaamava’ has even bigger plans for this year.
Plans exist for a second-floor entertainment complex in the open space created by the fine-dining restaurant’s move to the first floor.
A new 2,800-seat events center is also scheduled for a 2022 opening.
Live entertainment’s return
Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced a COVID-19 mitigation exit strategy where the state will lift indoor gathering and masking restrictions.
A lack of restrictions means one thing: the return of live entertainment. Casinos across California are now ready to pack their event centers and theaters.
These upcoming events represent the beginning of the casino entertainment renaissance coming to California in 2022.
Harrah’s Southern California
- May 7: Brian Regan, stand-up comedy
- Aug. 22: Chris Rock, stand-up comedy
- Sep. 25: Foreigner, music
Pechanga Resort Casino
- Apr. 30: The Temptations and Four Tops, music
- Jul. 8: Ron White, stand-up comedy
- Sep. 16: “Weird” Al Yankovic, music
Morongo Casino Resort
- Apr. 23: Brian McKnight, music
- May 7: Patti Labelle, music
- May 27: War, music
What’s next for California casinos?
All signs point to continued online gambling expansion for California casinos. As the state emerges from the pandemic, California casino operators are now on a spending spree to attract players.
Look for more hotels, contemporary dining, and live entertainment at casinos across the state.
