A massive casino is counting down the days to officially open its doors in California — a location that the San Francisco Gate says could “rival” some of Las Vegas’ most famous gaming destinations.
Hard Rock Casino Tejon, a partnership between the Tejon Indian Tribe and Florida-based Hard Rock International, announced it will officially open on Nov. 13, more than a month ahead of schedule.
“The fact that Hard Rock Casino Tejon is ahead of schedule speaks to the commitment of our team, the Tejon Indian Tribe, and the community supporting us every step of the way,” said Chris Kelley, the casino’s president.
When it opens, Hard Rock Casino Tejon will be among California’s largest gaming destinations, featuring 150,000 square feet of gaming space — roughly the same size as the MGM Grand, Bellagio, Aria and Mandalay Bay, and about 20,000 square feet larger than Caesars Palace.
The $600 million development is located on the Tejon Indian Tribe’s land in Mettler, less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield at the base of the Grapevine along I-5. It will be the first full-scale casino in Kern County, owned by the Tejon Indian Tribe and managed by Hard Rock International.
When the doors open, guests will find more than 2,000 slot machines, over 50 live table games including blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em and Three Card Poker, plus exclusive VIP rooms for blackjack and baccarat. The property will also feature Hard Rock’s extensive collection of authentic music memorabilia.
According to Hard Rock officials, the privately funded project has already generated thousands of construction jobs and will create around 1,000 permanent positions once open. The casino has also pledged to fund nearby infrastructure improvements and community programs “at no cost to taxpayers.”
Kern County Supervisor Jeff Flores called it the “biggest private economic development project in the history of the county,” adding, “We feed the world, fuel the world and defend the world … we can now add a fourth pillar — we entertain the world.”
For the Tejon Indian Tribe, the casino’s opening represents the culmination of a decades-long effort to reclaim its place in California’s history. The tribe, first established on the state’s inaugural reservation in 1853, lost its land to private ownership and was left off the federal list of recognized tribes until President Barack Obama reinstated its status in 2011.
“The opening of Hard Rock Casino Tejon is not only a celebration of our Tribe’s heritage and resilience but also a bold step forward in creating opportunity and prosperity for future generations,” said Tribal Chairman Octavio Escobedo III.
The post Massive new casino coming to California could size up Vegas’ best: report appeared first on KTLA.
