Club One Casino marked its grand reopening on May 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by The Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Club One Casino is now fully open after several setbacks.
Following months of speed bumps during relocation, Club One opened in its new central Fresno spot last September after moving from its downtown home. With online casinos still illegal in the Golden State, Club One’s grand reopening should excite Northern California casino patrons.
Pandemic forced club to shutter for 16 months
Amid the closures and restrictions brought on by COVID-19, Club One President Kyle Kirkland told local media last year that a lack of outdoor space inhibited the cardroom’s ability to pivot.
“Unlike other businesses that could continue to operate, we went to zero. Where we’re located, downtown, we couldn’t move outside. We couldn’t capture and do some of the things other folks had done to mitigate the issue.”
The business was forced to close for 16 months. Kirkland said the closure presented an opportunity. Club One began the process of buying a 30,000-square-foot property in Granite Park last summer.
Bumpy road to opening
It wasn’t until December 2021 that Kirkland got the OK to use all 51 card tables for Club One. Approval was expected in July last year, but the Fresno City Council delayed the vote, asking Kirkland to hold a neighborhood meeting to address concerns from residents.
Kirkland and the city manager’s office hosted the requested meeting on Aug. 5, 2021. Two weeks later, the council again denied permission for Club One to open all 51 tables.
So after being shuttered for 16 months, Club One finally reopened at its new location with 31 tables in operation. The casino had to undergo a 90-day waiting period to fully open. That ended in December.
‘A safe, fun escape’
Club One’s new home has been transformed several times in recent years. At one time, the building housed a Sammy Hagar-themed club called Cabo Wabo. It lasted two months in 2008. The most recent venture, Club Imperio, closed in 2019.
Kirkland talked about his vision for Club One Casino at a ribbon-cutting in May 2021 after city council approved the relocation.
“We wanted to have a nice entertainment destination for people in Fresno, we got a nice location off the 168. We do want people to have a safe, fun escape that they can have that’s accessible to people in our community, so that’s what we’re going to build.”
Renovations continue, including on the website
A visit to the cardroom’s webpage reads, “under construction,” but two links are offered. One leads to an employment application. The other is about getting help for problem gambling.
Some of the games offered at Club One’s 51 tables:
- Fortune Pai Gow
- EZ Baccarat
- Three Card Poker
- Spanish 21
- Poker
- Blackjack
Renovations are ongoing at 3950 Cedar Ave., but Club One is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Masks are no longer required, but it is a non-smoking property. Club One has a full bar and restaurant that serves food from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Visit Club One’s Facebook page for up-to-date information or call (559) 497-3000.
