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CASINO GUIDE
Sunday, October 27, 2019
BETTING
CASINO GAMING AND TOURISM
ON
THE BRAND
Southern California casinos continue to grow
TERRY PIERSON — THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
The new Soboba Casino Resort opened to customers
for the first time in February.
T
he days when visiting a Southern California casino meant gambling
for a couple hours, eating a meal at the buffet and then heading home
may be quickly disappearing. Casinos throughout the region are build-
ing brands, and they’re luxury brands that turn the traditional notion
of a smoky slot machine-only casino on its head. If the casinos haven’t already
become the full-fledged resorts with elegant hotels, nice pools and fancy restau-
rants, they’re on their way.
Christopher Thornberg, director of UC Riverside School of Business Center
for Economic Forecasting and Development, said in a phone interview that the
trend is moving toward casinos with hotels and additional amenities, and it
TERRY PIERSON — THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
doesn’t matter whether you’re in Southern California or in Vegas.
Cielo Restaurant at Morongo makes its own
“In Vegas today, you’ll find that the buffets have taken a back seat to the four- prosciutto used in this amuse bouche: Boursin
star restaurants; the casinos are busy but upstairs at the night clubs they’re cheese-stuffed purple endive wrapped in house-
made prosciutto, sea salt, arugula, and a 12-year
even busier; spas are taking over the hotels and people want large pools to hang aged tondo balsamic glaze.
out,” Thornberg said. “And as a result of that, everybody who wants to stay
competitive within this industry has to toe that particular line. They have to
make that shift.”
In Southern California, the next casino to go the resort route is Cahuilla Ca-
sino. The Anza-based Cahuilla Band of Indians is currently working on a $35.2
million resort, casino and restaurant that will replace its current property in
spring 2020. San Manuel Casino is currently in the midst of a multi-phase, $550
million expansion that will culminate in the completion of a 450-room hotel, a
3,000-seat event center, new shops and restaurants in 2021. And the Soboba
Band of Luiseño Indians opened a sleek and elegant resort with 200 rooms,
a pool, an expansive gaming floor and several different restaurant options in
February.
BRAND >> PAGE 4 ANDREW FOULK — CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
A worker cuts lumber outside the new Cahuilla Casino
Hotel in Anza, set to open in spring 2020.
ISTOCK PHOTO
DINING
RESTAURANTS
WHERE TO DINE AT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CASINOS By Alex Groves >> agroves@scng.com, @AlexDGroves on Twitter
T
he past year has brought a lot of changes to the dining scene at Southern California’s casinos.
Some have added an array of new restaurants as they wrapped up major expansion projects;
others have closed longtime dining spots to make way for fresh, new concepts; and others
still have given their existing establishments a facelift.
With more dining options at Southern California’s casinos in 2019 than ever before, we’ve cre-
ated this handy guide with all the information you need to know. including menu items, pricing, and
whether a restaurant is fast casual or fine dining.
And more change is coming. Many casinos are on the cusp of opening new restaurants or upgrad-
ing their existing ones, so check with the casino before finalizing your dining plans.
(Use of an asterisk in front of a name indicates restaurants that are new this year.)
Agua Caliente $75.
Resort Casino Spa *Good Times Cafe: Casual.
Rancho Mirage Breakfast menu, sandwich-
es, burgers, pizza, cocktails
Where: 32-250 Bob Hope and beer. 24 hours. $7.45-
Drive, Rancho Mirage 29.95.
Information: 888-999- *Pink Coffee: Fast casual.
1995, aguacalientecasino. Coffee shop with assort-
com. ment of pastries, gelato,
Java Caliente: Fast casual. coffee and tea. 24 hours.
Coffee, smoothies, boba $2.75 — $15
drinks, pastries and hot and Sunset Bar & Grill: Sea-
cold sandwiches. 24 hours. sonal poolside dining. Burg-
$1.75-$13.50 ers, sandwiches, wraps,
Waters Café: Casual. tacos, alcohol. $10-$18.
Breakfast foods, burgers, *Fiesta Taco: Fast ca-
sandwiches, salads, Asian sual. Burritos, tacos, tortas,
food. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday aguas frescas. 11 a.m.-11
through Thursday; 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday through Thurs-
p.m. Friday and Saturday. day; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday
$8-$22. and Saturday. $2.75-$12.
The Steakhouse: Fine din- Chains: Fatburger, Panda
ing. Steaks, caviar, surf and Express, Subway in food
turf, chateaubriand. 5-10 court.
p.m. Sunday through Thurs-
day; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Of note: The resort is
Saturday; brunch, 10 a.m.-2 opening Asian restaurant
p.m. Sunday. Reservations Mozen in the space formerly
recommended. $35-$120. occupied by Cafe Serrano.
Mozen will serve Chinese,
*The District: Food court Vietnamese, Korean, Japa-
consisting of deli, Mexican nese and Thai cuisine. Good
and Asian options. Hours Times Cafe and Pink Coffee
vary by eatery. are both new restaurants
*360 Sports: Casual. that have replaced now
Burgers, sandwiches, tacos shuttered Natural 9 Noodle
and smaller bites such Company and Tacos and
as sliders and tater tots. Tequila.
$12-$18. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday; Pala Casino, Spa
11 a.m.-midnight Friday and & Resort
Saturday; bar open from 11 Where: 11154 Highway 76,
a.m.-2 a.m. daily. Pala
Information: 877-946-
Agua Caliente Casino 7252, palacasino.com
Palm Springs Bar Meets Grill: Casual.
Where: 401 E. Amado “California Casual” menu
Road, Palm Springs with such items as burgers,
Information: 888-999- sandwiches, pasta, sea-
1995, aguacalientecasinos. food and salads. Wine and
com. cocktails. 5 — 11 p.m. daily.
The Steakhouse: Fine $9.25-$29.95.
TERRY PIERSON — THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO Coffee Amore: Fast casual.
dining. Steaks, surf & turf,
chateaubriand, salmon, sea This prosciutto pasta with fettuccine, prosciutto, cream sauce, parmesan cheese, mushrooms and baby heirloom Hot and cold coffee drinks
bass, duck. Reservations tomatoes is one of the dishes available at Cielo at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. and teas, pastries, cake,
recommended. 5-10 p.m. upscale pub food. ice cream, shakes and
Sunday through Thursday; sandwiches. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
5-11 p.m. Friday and Satur- Casino Pauma Monday through Thursday;
day. $36-$110. Where: 777 Pauma Reser- 6 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and
*Java Caliente: Fast vation Road, Pauma Saturday; 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
casual. Boba drinks, cof- Sunday. $3.25-$8.95.
Information: 877-687-
fee, tea, pastries, eggs 2862, casinopauma.com Luis Rey’s Sports Bar:
and sandwiches. 24 hours. The Cafe: Casual. Break- Casual. Deli sandwiches,
$1.75-$13.50 burgers, Mexican food, full
fast items including fruit bar. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday
plates, parfaits, omelets and
Augustine Casino avocado toast; salads; sand-
through Thursday; 11 a.m.-2
Where: 84-001 Avenue 54, wiches and Asian cuisine. 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Coachella $10.95-$18.95.
a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through
Information: 760-391- Thursday; 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri- Noodles: Quick service. Dim
9500, augustinecasino. day and Saturday. $6-$22. sum, wok-fried noodles,
com soup, rice, congee. 11 a.m.-2
Deli & Pizzeria: Fast ca- a.m. Sunday through Friday;
Cafe 54: Casual. Sand- sual. Pizza, chicken wings, 11 a.m.-4 a.m. Saturday.
wiches, burgers, pastas, 24 hot dogs, sandwiches. 24 $8.50-$15.95.
hours. $3.95-$24.95. hours. $4.50-$8.
Pala Cafe: Casual. Large
Menyikish Cafe: Casual. breakfast menu that
Sandwiches, burgers, hot Fantasy Springs
includes such items as
dogs, burritos, tacos, Resort Casino omelets, eggs benedict and
quesadillas. Late night FILE PHOTO BY FRANK BELLINO — CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Where: 84-245 Indio huevos rancheros; soups,
breakfast Monday through Springs Parkway, Indio Executive Chef Brian Diumenti works on one of his dishes at fine dining restaurant
Canyons at Soboba Casino Resort In San Jacinto. salads, sandwiches, burgers
Thursday. 11 a.m.-7 a.m. Information: 800-827- and Mexican food. 24 hours.
Monday through Thursday; 2946, fantasyspringsresort. $8.-$28.95.
11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday and a.m. daily; lunch, noon-4 recommended. $28-$92. Taco Truck: Fast casual.
com p.m. daily; dinner, 5-11 p.m. KJ Chinese Restaurant: Burritos, taquitos, nachos, Poolside Cafe: Casual.
Saturday. $4.95-$10.95.
Joy Asian Cuisine: Casual. daily; late dinner, 11 p.m. — 2 Casual. Dim sum, noodle tacos. Beers, margaritas. Breakfast items, burgers,
Dim sum, noodle soup, con- a.m. Friday and Saturday. soup, congee, poultry, beef, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. $2.50- sandwiches, salads and
Cahuilla Casino Hotel gee; Cantonese, Szechuan, $10-$32. pork, seafood and vegetar- $13.99 snacks. Beer, wine and
Where: 52702 Highway Korean, Vietnamese and The Bistro: Fine dining. ian options. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The Cafe: Casual. Breakfast traditional and frozen cock-
371, Anza Thai cuisine; boba tea, beer Veal, Kobe beef, pastas, Sunday through Thursday; menu, salads, sandwiches, tails. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily for
Information: 888-371- and wine. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. sushi, sashimi, wine and 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday and burgers, steaks. $5.99- food; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily for
2692, cahuillacasinohotel. daily. $6-$56. cocktails. Reservations rec- Saturday. $14.95-$45. $24.99. alcohol. $7.95-$16.95.
com. Lique: Fast casual. Ice ommended. 5-10 p.m. daily. Oyster Bar: Business Chains: Robeks, Starbucks, Sushi Sake: Fast casual.
Roadrunner Bar & Grill: cream, frozen yogurt, $29-$48. casual. Oysters on the half Earl of Sandwich, Smash- Sushi, sashimi, specialty
Casual. Sandwiches, burg- shakes, hot dogs, nachos, Chains: Starbucks and shell; fried oysters; seafood burger. rolls. 5-11 p.m daily. $6-$36.
ers, soups, salads and sea- fries. 10 a.m.-5 a.m. daily. Rocky Mountain Chocolate soups, salads and entrees. The Oak Room: Fine dining.
food. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday $2.75-$9.25. Factory Sake. 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday, Morongo Casino Lobster, sea bass, prime rib,
through Thursday; 7 a.m.-10 Pizza Kitchen: Fast casual. Wednesday and Thursday; Resort & Spa lamb chops. Reservations
p.m. Friday and Saturday. Pizza whole and by the slice, Harrah’s Resort 5:30 — 10 p.m. Friday; 5-10 Where: 49500 Seminole recommended. 5-10 p.m.
$10.50-$21. sandwiches, calzones, Southern California p.m. Saturday; Closed Mon- Drive, Cabazon Sunday, Wednesday and
Of note: When the new sandwiches, beer, wine. 11 Where: 777 Harrah’s Rincon day and Tuesday. $10-36. Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday
a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday through Way, Funner Information: 800-252-
casino and hotel property ‘Rita’s Cantina: Casual. 4499, morongocasinore- and Saturday. $35-$55.
opens, there will be a new Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Enchiladas, burritos, tacos, sort.com Of note: The Cave, a wine
Friday and Saturday. $2.99- Information: 760-751-
restaurant, Ribbonwood 3100, harrahssocal.com combination plates. Mar- bar with small bites, flat-
Grill, that will be the re- $18.50. Cielo: Fine dining. Steak and
garitas, micheladas and breads, salads and char-
Fiore: Fine dining. Small beer. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, seafood
placement restaurant for Pom: Casual. Breakfast with a view on the
plates, seafood, pastas, 27th floor of the high-rise cuterie, is currently closed
Roadrunners. It will serve menu, sandwiches, salads, Monday and Thursday. 11
steaks, wine. 5:30-9 p.m. Reservations recom- as it undergoes renovations.
many of the same menu small plates, Italian, Latin a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Sat- resort.
items that were popular at and American comfort food Sunday through Thursday; mended. 5-10 p.m. Thursday Casino officials have not an-
urday. Closed Tuesday and nounced when it will reopen.
Roadrunners, but also some dishes. Breakfast, 6-11:30 5:30-10 p.m. Friday; 5-10 through Sunday; 5-11 p.m.
p.m. Saturday. Reservations Wednesday. $9.99-$70.99. Friday and Saturday. $17- DINING » PAGE 8
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 | CASINO GUIDE
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4 | CASINO GUIDE |
P SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019
CASINO DINING
A BUFFET OF OPTIONS
These are the buffets at Southern California's casinos, and here's what they offer
Y
By Alex Groves >> agroves@scng.com, @AlexDGroves on Twitter
ou might not come out a richer person for visiting one of Southern California’s casinos,
but you can come out with a full stomach if you visit one of the buffets.
Most Southern California casino buffets serve at least lunch and dinner and many serve
brunch on the weekends. And if you’re all about a particular kind of cuisine, many of the
casino buffets offer themed nights around things such as seafood, Asian or Latin cuisine.
Hours and pricing can change so be sure to check with the casino as you finalize your meal plans.
Agua Caliente 2862, casinopauma.com Meals: Brunch daily; dinner
Resort Casino Spa Meals: Lunch and dinner nightly
Rancho Mirage only. Specialties: Lobster and
Specialties: Themed din- seafood Thursday and Fri-
What: Three Palms Buffet day; bottomless mimosas on
(previously Grand Palms ners most nights; lob-
ster and seafood Friday; weekends.
Buffet)
barbecue Saturday; Sunday Price range: $23.99-
Where: 32-250 Bob Hope brunch. $46.99, with discounts for
Drive, Rancho Mirage club members
Price range: $11.95-
Information: 888-999- $25.95
1995, hotwatercasino.com/ San Manuel Casino
three-palms-buffet Fantasy Springs What: Serrano Buffet
Meals: Lunch three days Resort Casino Where: 777 San Manuel
a week; dinner four days a What: Fresh Grill Buffet Blvd., Highland
week; brunch on Sundays. Information: 909-864-
Closed Tuesday, Wednesday Where: 84-245 Indio
Springs Parkway, Indio 5050, sanmanuel.com
and Thursday.
Information: 800-827- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and
Price range: $14.99- dinner daily.
$24.99 2946, fantasyspringsresort.
com Specialties: Themed nights
Of note: The buffet un- including Steak Night Mon-
derwent a renovation that Meals: Lunch Monday
through Saturday; dinner day; Latin Tuesdays; Lobster
reduced it to half its original Wednesdays and Thursdays;
nightly; Sunday brunch.
size, a facelift with updated TERRY PIERSON — PRESS-ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO
Specialties: Prime rib Sat- The Serrano Buffet at San Manuel Casino in Highland has action stations, including a and Seafood Fridays.
fixtures and lighting to
match next door food court urday. Bottomless mimosas Teppanyaki grill, but also serves seafood and sushi nightly. Price range: $18-$41.
The District and had its available during Sunday Discounts apply with Club
brunch for an additional $5. Serrano membership.
name changed from Grand Pala Casino, Spa
Palms Buffet to Three Price range: $15.99- & Resort
Palms Buffet. $24.99 Spotlight 29 Casino
What: Choices, The Buffet What: Capitata Buffet
Agua Caliente Casino Harrah’s Resort Where: 11154 Highway 76, Where: 46-200 Harrison
Palm Springs Southern California Pala Place, Coachella
What: Oasis Buffet What: The Buffet at Information: 877-946- Information: 760-775-
Harrah’s 7252, palacasino.com 5566, spotlight29.com
Where: 401 E. Amado Road,
Palm Springs Where: 777 Harrah’s Rincon Meals: Lunch weekdays; Meals: Breakfast, lunch and
Way, Funner dinner nightly; brunch Sat- dinner daily.
Information: 888-999- urday and Sunday. Price range: $9.99 for club
1995, sparesortcasino.com/ Information: 760-751-
oasis-buffet 3100, harrahssocal.com Specialties: Snow crab members, $13.99 for non-
Monday through Wednes- members
Meals: Lunch Thursday, Meals: Lunch weekdays; day; lobster Thursday; steak
Friday and Saturday; Dinner dinner nightly; brunch Sat-
Thursday through Sunday; urday and Sunday.
and shrimp Saturday. Valley View Casino
breakfast Saturday and Specialties: Crab brunch on
Price range: $23.24- & Hotel
PECHANGA RESORT CASINO $46 without membership;
Sunday. Closed Monday, Saturday and Sunday; crab What: The Buffet
Tuesday and Wednesday. There’s a carving station at The Pechanga Buffet at discounts apply with Pala Where: 16300 Nyemii Pass
dinner Friday, Saturday and Pechanga Resort Casino. Privileges card; two free
Specialties: Champagne Sunday. Road, Valley Center
meals daily at Elite tier.
brunch Sunday. Price range: $19.99- Information: 800-252- tional Tuesday and Crab and Information: 760-291-
Price range: $10.99- $32.99 4499, morongocasinore- Shrimp Wednesday, and Pechanga Resort 5500, valleyviewcasino.com
$25.99 sort.com Lobster and Steak Dinner on Meals: Lunch weekdays;
Morongo Casino Meals: Lunch weekdays, Thursday and Friday. Two- and Casino
What: Buffet dinner nightly.
Casino Pauma Resort & Spa dinner nightly; brunch Sat- for-one champagne brunch
Specialties: Steak and sea-
What: Grove Buffet urday and Sunday. on weekends. Where: 45000 Pechanga
What: Potrero Canyon Parkway, Temecula food lunch, lobster dinner.
Where: 777 Pauma Buffet Specialties: Nightly Price range: $21.95-
$38.95. Discounts with Information: 888-732- Price range: $19.99-
Reservation Road, Pauma Where: 49500 Seminole themes, including Mariachi $32.99
Mexican Monday; Interna- membership cards. 4264, pechanga.com/eat/
Information: 877-687- Drive, Cabazon buffet
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6 | CASINO GUIDE |
P SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019
CASINOS
I
n the past year, the trend of Southern California casinos growing in size and adding more ame-
nities has continued.
Many of the casinos have wrapped up major expansion initiatives that have given them more
restaurants, more gaming space and more hotel capacity, while others are just getting started.
The biggest project that reached completion was the new Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto with
a full hotel, casino, restaurants and more. There was the return of an old favorite: Casino Morongo
reopened as a casino next to its sister resort property in Cabazon. Up next? The new Cahuilla Ca-
sino Hotel will open in spring 2020 and replace the current gambling hall.
Here’s what you need to know about recent construction as well as construction that’s on the way.
Agua Caliente Casino its fine dining concept,
Palm Springs The Oak Room, and light
The biggest change to and audio updates at Cen-
come to the Palm Springs ter Bar, where bands and
casino was its name, artists perform.
which was changed in
February from Spa Resort Pechanga Resort
Casino to Agua Caliente Casino
Casino Palm Springs to In December 2018, the
bring it into closer align- Temecula resort opened a
ment with its Rancho Mi- sleek new bar, the Corner
rage sister property. The Bar, next door to its high
casino also renovated its limit room in a space for-
Oasis Buffet and opened a merly occupied by a gift
Java Caliente coffee shop shop. The bar offers spe-
in space formerly occupied cialty cocktails, mostly
by the Corner Deli. Both made with bourbons,
projects were completed in whiskeys and similar dark
late 2018. spirits. In July, it com-
Adjacent to the Palm pleted upgrades to its food
Springs casino, the Agua court that included larger
Caliente Band of Cahuilla restaurants, new menu
Indians is planning to items and Coca-Cola Free-
build a 10,000-seat arena style machines.
for live entertainment and Around the same time
ice hockey. The project, a food court renovations
partnership between the were underway, the casino
tribe and sports venue de- added a made-to-order
velopment company Oak crepe bar at Blends Cof-
View Group, will be on fee & Wine Bar. The crepes
16 acres of tribal land be- are available on Saturdays
tween East Alejo Road on and Sundays.
the north; East Amado Not far from the casino,
Road on the south; Calle the Pechanga Band of Lu-
El Segundo on the east iseño Indians completed
and Calle Encilia on the construction on the Great
west. It would be the larg- Oak Marketplace. A Steak
est indoor venue between TERRY PIERSON — PRESS-ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO ‘n Shake, Papa’s Pizza
the Arizona border and Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto boasts several different room sizes, including this spacious suite on the 6th floor. Grotto, a combined Jack’s
the Toyota Arena in On- Donuts and Blends Coffee
tario. A 2021 completion joying them. Bar and a nail salon are
date is planned for the Farmer said at some the businesses that have
project. point the conversation either opened, or will open
In nearby Cathedral changed from having the within the space.
City, the tribe has ac- old building be a tempo-
quired a more than 13-acre rary storage spot for the San Manuel Casino
site where it plans to build slots to having it function San Manuel Casino in
a new entertainment and as its own casino. Highland is in the midst
gaming facility. Though of a $550 million, multi-
Cathedral City has ap- Morongo Casino, year expansion that in-
proved an agreement with Resort & Spa cludes adding a six-story,
the tribe, final approval is The Cabazon resort 2,200-stall parking ga-
still needed from the Bu- broke ground in January rage; an indoor entertain-
reau of Indian Affairs. on its major expansion ef- ment venue with 3,000
fort that includes adding seats; and a 14-17 story ho-
Agua Caliente Resort 65,000 additional square tel with a pool complex,
Casino Spa feet and 800 slot machines spa, fitness center, restau-
Rancho Mirage to the gaming floor, mak- rants and retail shops.
ing over some of the res- The casino’s general
The resort, previously taurants on the casino manager, Peter Arceo, told
known as Agua Caliente level and adding a valet Southern California News
Casino Resort Spa, also parking structure for 750 Group in a recent inter-
underwent a name change vehicles. The work is ex- view that the parking ga-
in February to become pected to be finished by rage, already underway,
Agua Caliente Resort Ca- WATCHARA PHOMICINDA — PRESS-ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO 2020. was expected to be com-
sino Spa Rancho Mirage. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage’s food court, The District, which opened Two new eateries, gas- pleted in late 2019. He said
It also opened several new in February. It features deli, Mexican and Asian food. tropub Good Times Cafe the casino was aiming
spots to eat and drink and and coffee shop Pink Cof- for the second quarter of
even a space for smoking has been posting construc- fee, both opened in May in 2021 as a completion date
cigars. tion videos of the prog- space formerly occupied of both the entertainment
In November 2018, it ress on social media to en- by closed restaurants Nat- venue and the hotel.
opened the Pivat Cigar gage with the community ural 9 Noodle Company Shortly before the new
Lounge, which features and let them know about and Tacos and Tequila. year, the casino renovated
dozens of cigars from dif- the changes coming, Sal- And high-end Asian con- its Tukut Lounge with new
ferent brands, but also a gado said. cept Mozen, the replace- paint, new carpet, new
bar and food service. In ment for Cafe Serrano, booths and upgraded au-
January, it opened sports Casino Morongo opened in October. dio and video features.
bar 360 Sports, opened a Before Morongo Ca- Across from the restau- In May, it opened a new,
centrally located casino sino, Resort & Spa’s expan- rants, the casino has been glass-enclosed smoke-free
bar and made renovations sion officially got under- updating the gaming floor slots area. Also in May,
to its fine dining restau- way earlier this year, the in stages — with upgrades it opened Steampunk-
rant, The Steakhouse. In casino reopened the origi- such as laying down new themed high limit room,
February, it opened food nal Casino Morongo build- carpet, putting in ma- The Vault Gaming & Pro-
court The District with its FILE PHOTO BY FRANK BELLINO — CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER ing from 1995 as its own chines and table games visions, which makes use
deli, Mexican and Asian Pala Casino, Spa & Resort recently gave its fine-dining casino in November 2018 and updating lighting fix- of a space above a passage-
options. restaurant, The Oak Room, a more modern look. to aid in the larger re- tures. way for the casino’s new
sort’s expansion. The re- valet parking area.
Cahuilla Casino casino and restaurant are will be full-service restau- furbished Casino Mo- Pala Casino, Spa
The Cahuilla Band of currently located in will rant the Ribbonwood Grill. rongo features 300 slot & Resort Soboba Casino Resort
Indians is nearing com- be removed. It will still offer a num- machines, an updated bar The resort has been The Soboba Band of Lu-
pletion on a new facility The new facility’s gam- ber of the comfort food fa- area and a casual restau- slowly upgrading its ho- iseño Indians opened the
with a 58-room hotel, res- ing area will have 353 slot vorites from the current rant featuring American tel rooms. Each of the new Soboba Casino Resort
taurant, bar and expanded machines and four ta- Roadrunner Grill but will fare. In recent years, the rooms will eventually have about a mile from its orig-
gaming floor with table ble games. About a dozen also have some upscale space had primarily been a new coat of paint to look inal casino in February.
games to replace its cur- of the slots will be lo- pub food on the menu, ac- used for bowling, bingo more modern and will in- The luxe new resort, adja-
rent facility. The casino cated inside of a high limit cording to Food and Bev- and special events. clude a small refrigera- cent to the Soboba Springs
and hotel will both open room. The focal point of erage Director Frank Marketing Director Si- tor, a Keurig coffee maker Golf Course, boasts a 200-
sometime in April, though the gaming area will be Miller. But even before the mon Farmer said casino and charging and per- room hotel, multiple din-
currently the hotel is ac- a large bar at the back of project is complete, tribal officials moved the 300 sonal music stations on ing options, a pool, an
cepting reservations only the gaming floor. The bar officials are working to get slots to Casino Morongo the nightstands. Pala has events center and a more
as early as May 1. area will have ADA acces- the public familiar with because they knew they renovated half of the ho- expansive area for gaming
Daniel Salgado, tribal sible tabletop games, six the changes ahead. would need to take them tel rooms with an eye on (though the number of slot
chair for the Cahuilla 60-inch TVs and an area The casino has unveiled out as part of the expan- the rest being completed machines and table games
Band, said that when the above the TVs for projec- a new website, updated sion. Putting them at the by March. remains the same).
new facility opens, the tions. its name to become Ca- old building gave guests Earlier in the year, it
tent-like structure that the Inside the new complex huilla Casino Hotel and the chance to continue en- made decor upgrades to CHANGES >> PAGE 10
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 | CASINO GUIDE
P | 7
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8 | CASINO GUIDE |
P SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019
CASINO AMENITIES
T
ake a visit to Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage on a Wednesday night
and you’ll see players deeply focused as their eyes are trained on flashing screens,
but they’re not playing slot machines — they’re playing video games in series such as
Smash Bros, Mortal Kombat and Dragon Ball Z in one of the casino’s weekly eSports
After Dark video game tournaments.
The tournaments, which give winning participants prizes such as cash and gaming-related
items, are just one of the ways the Rancho Mirage resort has sought to engage its clientele in a
novel way. Throughout Southern California, resorts are leaning into activities and experiences
that don’t revolve around traditional gambling, from video game tournaments to cigar lounges
to upscale entertainment and festival venues.
That may be because
modern casino patrons
want more secondary ex-
periences, according to
Chris Thornberg, director
of UC Riverside School of
Business Center for Eco-
nomic Forecasting and HARRAH’S RESORT SOUTHERN
Development. CALIFORNIA
“The gambling by itself The Topgolf Swing Suite at
is no longer sufficient en- Harrah’s Resort Southern
tertainment for people,” California has two screen
Thornberg said in a recent areas that can accomodate
telephone interview. “They eight players each.
want everything else.”
Here are some of the The lounge has two large
unique, non-gambling screens where guests can
amenities casinos already play virtual golf, hockey,
have or will add in com- and dodgeball games us-
ing years. ing real equipment. The
lounge also offers food.
Entertainment
venues 360 eSports
Many of the casinos After Dark
have places to take in a Agua Caliente Resort
concert and some of them Casino Spa Rancho Mi-
are designed for big-name rage began holding its
acts and the huge crowds weekly 32-person bracket
they can generate. style video game tourna-
Agua Caliente Resort ments at sports bar 360
Casino Spa Rancho Mi- Sports in mid-July after
rage’s 2,101-seat perfor- WATCHARA PHOMICINDA — PRESS-ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO seeing the success of sim-
mance venue, The Show, A cigar server shows off a cigar offered at Pivat Cigar Lounge at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage. ilar tournaments in Las
recently celebrated its Vegas and has been con-
10th anniversary and has or big-name artists come event center in 2021. Steakhouse. The cigars ager for Spotlight 29, said tinuing with them weekly
attracted some really big- through. range from $5.50-$51. For in August that a few dif- since. At times the events
name acts over the last de- Casino Pauma upgraded Pivat Cigar Lounge people who aren’t experi- ferent companies have al- have attracted hundreds
cade, including Steven Ty- its Pauma Pavilion from Late last year, Agua enced cigar smokers, staff ready expressed interest of people ranging in age
ler, Jerry Seinfeld and Du- an 815-seat tent-like struc- Caliente Resort Ca- members are ready to cut in the festival property from people in their 20s to
ran Duran. The Show has ture to a larger structure sino Spa Rancho Mi- and light cigars and make and that Spotlight 29 will people in their 50s.
been nominated for mul- with new sound and light- rage opened its Pivat Ci- recommendations. be announcing at least
tiple awards from concert ing systems and room for gar Lounge. The space not one festival in the future. A new stadium
industry publisher Poll- 1,160 people. only features roughly 100 Coachella Crossroads Not far from its Agua
star. Other casinos with their cigars of varying sizes and In early 2019, the Twen- Topgolf Swing Suite Caliente Casino Palm
Pechanga Resort Ca- own entertainment venues strengths inside a tem- tynine Palms Band of Mis- Chucking dodgeballs at Springs, the Agua Cali-
sino in Temecula has include Morongo Casino perature- and humidity- sion Indians made its 47- virtual zombies is just one ente Band of Cahuilla In-
two different venues, the Resort & Spa; Fantasy controlled humidor, but acre festival property, of the activities available dians is planning to put in
1,200-seat Pechanga The- Springs Resort Casino; also large, plushy leather Coachella Crossroads, to guests who visit Top- a new 10,000 seat stadium
ater and the 3,000-seat Pala Casino, Spa & Resort; chairs for lounging, a bar available to rent. The golf Swing Suite, a virtual where it plans to hold ice
Pechanga Summit; the lat- and Soboba Casino Resort. with wine, spirits and spe- grass-covered area is ad- sports lounge that was fin- hockey and live entertain-
ter of the two venues is San Manuel Casino will cialized cocktails, and jacent to the tribe’s Spot- ished at Harrah’s Resort ment. It has a planned
regularly packed when soon join the list when it food service from nearby light 29 Casino. Adam Southern California in completion date of fall
foreign language shows completes its 3,000-seat fine dining restaurant The Levy, marketing man- Valley Center in February. 2021.
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ehind an elevator, a semi-hidden speakeasy at San Manuel Casino offers some of the world’s
most expensive whiskeys, one of which sells for $100,000 a bottle. At Morongo Casino, Re-
sort & Spa dozens of colorful teapots line a wall in a serene room, ready to be used for spe-
cialized tea service. These amenities aren’t aimed at penny slot players, but rather are part
of the luxury high limit rooms aimed at the highest of rollers.
And as Southern California casinos have stretched out, expanding their footprints in recent years
with large hotel towers, additional restaurants and more room on the gaming floor, they have also
done the same for their high limit rooms.
Previously, it was common to see only one high limit room in most casinos across Southern Califor-
nia that housed both slot machines and table games. But now multiple casinos have made big chang-
es to the high roller experience by dividing them into separate spaces for slots and table games and
piling on the perks to get players to stay longer.
Getting roomy
Why are the high limit
rooms multiplying? Casino
officials see table game
players and slot game play-
ers as separate audiences
with different require-
ments. A high-limit ta-
ble game player, for ex-
ample, might not want to
play near a noisy slot ma-
chine as it makes whir-
ring, beeping noises. The
result is that an increasing
number of casinos have
multiple high-limit rooms.
The two Agua Caliente Ca-
sinos, Fantasy Springs Re-
sort Casino and San Man-
uel Casino have all re-
cently jumped on that
trend.
Among the latest
changes in high limit gam-
ing is the Steampunk-
themed area The Vault MORONGO CASINO, RESORT AND SPA
Gaming and Provisions Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa’s high limit table game room has a selection of more
at San Manuel Casino in than 30 teas, many of them from Teavana.
Highland. CINDY YAMANAKA — PRESS-ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO
Peter Arceo, general further back in a separate located them to another ferences between the high People can order from San Manuel Casino’s collection of
manager for the casino, space. area. The original high limit rooms and the reg- rare and high end spirits, Collection 86, when they visit The
told Southern Califor- In early 2019 Agua Cali- limit room — now with ular gaming floor are the Vault Gaming and Provisions.
nia News Group in an in- ente Resort Casino Spa just table games — was unique amenities casi-
terview when The Vault Rancho Mirage separated renovated to be more pri- nos have added in order to display cases in the high the high-limit room can
opened in May that the its high limit slots and vate. Additional walls and maximize the guest expe- limit room, is not cheap give recommendations on
high limit room was built high limit table games chain link mesh were put rience and keep them play- and a small taste of one of which tea to order, too.
to make use of a vacant into two different areas af- up to enclose the space ing longer. the scotch whiskeys, bour- Even more high limit
space above the casino’s ter a successful test at the and make it more private. Drinks, alcoholic and bons or tequilas can cost rooms are on their way.
new valet parking area. casino’s sister property in And inside those rooms otherwise, are a big focus anywhere from hundreds The Vault will eventually
“Our thought was since Palm Springs. It left its ta- casinos are also trying to in high limit rooms, with to thousands of dollars. be one of four high limit
we’re already there build- ble games in one room and attract players by offering many having dedicated At the high limit room spaces within San Manuel.
ing a new structure, per- moved the slot machines unique and lucrative ver- cocktail service. at Morongo Casino, Resort The Vault and the Asian-
haps there’s an opportu- into a new room. sions of games. At The Vault, guests & Spa, there’s plenty to eat inspired Lotus 8 Palace,
nity there to add,” Arceo The empty space left Fantasy Springs’ high can visit the bar for craft and drink. Guests can sip on the casino’s ground
said. “Not only to address over from the slot removal limit table game recently cocktails, beer, wine and on craft cocktails or order level, are two of them. The
the valet concerns but also allowed Agua Caliente to loosened its blackjack small plates of food, but if food tableside from any of casino’s former High Limit
build something new and double the number of ta- rules and Morongo has they’re feeling really fancy the resort’s restaurants. If Room, located on the first
fun and exciting along ble games in the original its own variation on bac- (and willing to drop a siz- they’d like to get a jolt of floor near Serrano Buf-
with it.” room from six to 12. carat, Monkey Baccarat, able chunk of dough), they caffeine for concentration fet, is currently closed and
The new high limit In 2018, Fantasy Springs with a side bet that pays can get a sip of something or sip something sooth- will be separated into two
room is somewhat com- Resort Casino in Indio 5,000 to 1. from San Manuel’s Col- ing, they can choose from different high limit gam-
partmentalized, with slots also moved the high limit lection 86. The collection one of 30 different tea va- ing spaces — one for slots
in one area closer to the slot machines out of its The perks of bottled spirits, some of rieties available within the and another for high limit
entrance and table games high limit room and re- One of the biggest dif- which are behind lit glass high limit room. Staff at table games.
ARTIST:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019
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