Today, it’s a small casino. Tomorrow? A sprawling entertainment destination. California’s Rain Rock Casino has broken ground on a major expansion.
Rain Rock joins a long list of California casinos currently expanding operations. With online casinos still illegal in the state, brick-and-mortar casino resorts are thriving.
The Karuk Tribe hopes its good fortunes continue with the Northern California casino expansion project, slated to finish in 2024. It is the second phase of a compact the tribe negotiated with the state in 2013. Karuk Chairman Buster Attebery told local media the expansion also paves the way for economic stability in the area and tribal self-sufficiency.
“The ultimate goal is to make Siskiyou County and city of Yreka a better place and be able to make contributions to those efforts, and most of all a way for self-sufficiency for the Karuk Tribe.”
Resort a result of nearly a decade of planning
The new resort will transform the current property into a sprawling resort that both the tribe and the city of Yreka hope will turn the area into a destination. Attebery is optimistic.
“Building this hotel is going to be an opportunity for people to come and stay, bring their families. The idea of having 12 cottages is a new idea and will make Rain Rock Casino more of a destination resort.”
The current casino has 349 slots and eight table games. Its gaming space is around 32,000 square feet. It opened in May 2018. The new resort will also include:
- 80-room hotel
- 12 cottages
- Pool
- Events center
- 300 more slots
- More restaurants
Development expected to boost area economy
Yreka Mayor Duane Kegg told local media the impact on the local economy will be significant.
“For every dollar spent in Yreka, 75% will get recirculated back into this community, so it’s huge. For them to expand on this just means more value for the city of Yreka.”
Rain Rock Casino General Manager Mike Rose was also part of the groundbreaking ceremonies.
“The team members here at Rain Rock Casino would especially like to thank you, the tribal council and its membership, for giving us these long-term careers and a fun place to work. Plus, thank you for trusting us with this expansion. We’ll do everything we can to make you proud. … We truly appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Location a big plus for resort
Rain Rock Casino has the advantage of being off Interstate 5 near the Oregon border. The new property can capture traffic driving up and down I-5. Weary travelers from Southern California and Oregon can also stay the night.
Kegg is excited by what the expansion will bring to her community.
“Bringing people that would not normally stop in Yreka are now stopping in Yreka, so it’s huge all the way around.”
