Two Southern California Indian casinos have gone smokeless, at least until the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.
Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto went smoke-free on July 16. Originally the casino had limited smoking to designated indoor locations. The latest change eliminates all indoor smoking. It is also temporarily closing its Maze Stone Restaurant and Bar and the Soboba Springs Golf Course.
Casino Morongo Resort & Spa near Cabazon also announced a smoke-free policy on July 17. It also converted its former bingo room to accommodate 100 slots and eight blackjack tables.
According to Marketing Director Simon Farmer, the bingo hall had been intended to be a non-smoking room, but the tribe decided to extend non-smoking to the entire property.
Whether or not bingo will return, Farmer said, “As discussed before, Morongo continues to explore options for safely reopening bingo, possibly in a new space, but no date has been set for its return.”
