Construction of some form or another is underway at five San Diego County Indian casinos and one just over the line in Riverside County. A total of billion is being spent by the following casinos: Valley View Casino, in Valley Center; Viejas Casino and Resort, near El Cajon; Pala Casino Hotel & Resort, near Riverside County; Harrah’s Southern Cal Resort, also in Valley Center; Sycuan Casino; and Pechanga, technically in Riverside, but in reality, the big dog of San Diego casinos.
These casinos account for more than half of the county’s gaming facilities. As much as they are competing against each other, there are also competing fiercely to keep their patrons at home and not going to Las Vegas. They are creating about 5,000 construction jobs.
Valley View Casino, considered a boutique casino, is making a major play for San Diego city, including buying the naming rights to the sports arena near the international airport. The resort also is adding 42,000 square feet to its gaming floor, plus a burger restaurant. It has a relatively modest 120 room hotel, and one of the most beloved buffets in the area, serving lobster flown in from the East Coast.
Two weeks ago, Pala broke ground on an $170 million expansion that will include a 349-room hotel tower, pool attraction, larger spa and more gaming space.
Pala CEO Bill Bernbenek’s statement could almost apply to any of the expansions going on. “The consumer has changed to some degree, and the demands … necessitate an all-encompassing recreational experience. We’ve come out on the other side of the great recession, the economy has healed, and people are looking for ways to spend their recreational dollars,” he said.
Sycuan is building its first hotel, a 300-room tower, 60,000 SF of additional gaming space, and several new restaurants, with a price tag of $226 million. Like most, it is adding an eight-acre pool complex.
Since Pechanga remains the largest by far of all Golden State casinos, it’s not surprise that it is doing the largest expansion. It will spend $285 million on a four-acre pool complex, more space devoted to spas and a 568-room tower due to open in a few weeks.
Next year Viejas Casino and Resort will begin work on an all-suites tower, more gaming floor, pool and outdoor bar, full-service spa, fitness center and more dining. Details have not yet been announced.
Harrah’s got the jump on the other four and finished the final phase of its $160 million expansion earlier this summer.
