First slot machines arrive for $168 million Harrah’s Northern California casino

March 14, 2019 11:12 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports
March 14, 2019 11:12 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports

The arrival of the initial slot machines for Caesars Entertainment’s first casino in Northern California keeps the property near Sacramento on track for a Spring opening.

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The $168 million Harrah’s Northern California, a joint venture between Caesars and the Buena Vista Rancheria Band of Me-Wuk Indians, will be the first of three new resorts coming to the area surrounding California’s capital city. It is the state’s largest single gaming expansion in a decade.

Slot macnines loaded into Harrah’s Northern California

Gaming equipment provider Aristocrat Technologies loaded 246 new slot machines into the casino development early Wednesday. In total, Harrah’s Northern California will have 950 slot machines, 20 tables games, a full-service restaurant and three fast-casual dining concepts inside its 71,000 square foot facility.

“The installation of the first round of slot machines is a major milestone in the development of Harrah’s Northern California as we prepare to open later this spring,” said JC Rieger, the casino’s general manager.

Caesars Entertainment is providing brand licensing and consulting services to the casino, which is owned, developed, and operated by the Buena Vista Gaming Authority, an entity of the tribe.

The property is located on Buena Vista Rancheria land in Amador County, approximately one mile south of Buena Vista, 28 miles northeast of Stockton, and 32 miles southeast of Sacramento.

California is the nation’s largest Indian casino market, accounting for more than 26 percent of the nation’s tribal gaming revenues. According to economist Alan Meister, who authors the annual Indian Gaming Industry Report for Casino City, California’s Indian casinos produced $8.4 billion in revenue in 2016, roughly $2 billion more than the Las Vegas Strip.

Two other Northern California casinos are in various stages of planning and development.

Hard Rock, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is partnering with the Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians on a $440 million resort in Yuba City, 30 miles north of Sacramento.

Boyd Gaming Corp. and Wilton Rancheria of Miwok Indians are building a $500 million complex in the Sacramento suburb of Elk Grove.

Caesars also operates Harrah’s Southern California in northern San Diego County with the Rincon Band of the Luiseno Indians.

Harrah’s Northern California will be part of the Caesars (formerly Total) Rewards network, a nationwide player tracking and loyalty program.

“Harrah’s has long been a favored brand of Caesars Rewards customers in Northern California who frequent Harrah’s properties in Reno, Tahoe and Las Vegas,” Rieger said. “The opening of Harrah’s Northern California will allow these guests to engage with their favorite gaming brand closer to home.”

The casino will fill more than 400 full-time positions and has scheduled hiring events through April 1.

Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgamingreports.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.