Boyd Gaming’s and Wilton Rancheria’s $500 million Sky River Casino in northern California opened last August, six weeks earlier than expected. Now Boyd officials said the casino is doing so well, they’re drawing up expansion plans including a hotel and convention center.
In a February 2 investor call, Boyd spokesman David Strow said, “That’s always been part of the long-term plan for the site. Since we opened, Sky River has been a tremendous success for both Boyd and Wilton Rancheria. We’re excited about how well it’s performing.”
Las Vegas-based Boyd purchased the Sky River property in December 2021. At the time, Boyd President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Smith said Wilton Rancheria and Boyd “will have the most dynamic casino and hospitality development site in all of Northern California,” with one of the region’s largest convention centers.
According to Strow, in the fourth quarter of 2022, Boyd collected $21 million in management fees from Wilton Rancheria for operating the casino. He said Sky River’s gross gaming revenue from the casino “far exceeds” that amount, adding Boyd expects to receive $50 million in fees in 2023. “We have an excellent location in Elk Grove that is convenient to the Sacramento market and we’ve built a high-quality experience,” Strow said.
Strow stated, “The money coming in to Sky River will make it easier to secure financing for a project. There are a lot of things that we can do to broaden appeal. We’ll follow Wilton Rancheria’s lead. When they’re ready, we’ll be ready. It’s been a tremendous partnership on both sides.”
In a statement, Wilton Rancheria Tribal Chairman Jesus Tarango said, “We have never wavered in our vision to create a complete entertainment resort. In the short time we’ve been open we are already moving on with our plans and that speaks volumes about our partner but also tribal leadership past and present. We will continue to invest to enhance the Sky River experience and that means evaluating all expansion opportunities.”
Wilton Rancheria fought for years first for federal tribal recognition, then for the gambling pact with the state that was approved in 2019 by the federal Department of Interior.
Sky River, the closest casino to Sacramento, features a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor, several restaurants and other amenities.
Boyd Gaming owns and operates 11 casinos in Nevada plus properties in nine other states.
