Las Vegas Casino Gambling coming to San Diego Oct 8

California is home to more than 100 federally recognized tribes – far more than any other US state. That official status gives them rights to open gaming facilities that mimic Las Vegas casino gambling on tribal owned land. Many of those tribes have taken full advantage of that fact, operating over 60 tribal casinos throughout the state.

Just a few days from now, another will be added to that list as the Jumal Indian Village (JIV) and its operating partner, Penn National Gaming, prepare for the grand opening of Hollywood Casino Jumal – San Diego.

The official announcement came earlier today via press release from Penn National, confirming the newest California casino will host its grand opening on Monday, October 10, 2016. Hollywood Casino Jumal – San Diego will become the closest Las Vegas-style casino to San Diego’s downtown area.

The announcement follows recent approval from the National Indian Gaming Council (NIGC) for Penn National to manage the operation of the new casino. Likewise, JIV has been given go ahead by the NIGC to proceed with a near $460 million refinancing project on the property.

Hollywood Casino Jumal – San Diego

The new California casino is located on State Route 94, about 20 miles east of Downtown San Diego in Jumal, CA. According to the press release and website, the gaming floor clearly parallels Las Vegas casino gambling, featuring more than 1,700 slot machines and 43 live table games, including blackjack, craps, fortune pai-gow poker, let it ride, mini-baccarat, roulette and several others.

Additional features include an 8-story parking garage, built below ground, with enough spaces to accommodate up to 1,800 vehicles. There are also 8 restaurants waiting to serving customers of the new casino, including an American steakhouse, Mexican and Chinese cuisine, a pizza shop, and the first ever Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub.

Kudos For California Casino Partners

“We are grateful to the Jamul Indian Village for giving us the opportunity to build this spectacular regional entertainment destination and are honored to serve as the manager of their facility and to help them realize their goal of becoming economically self-sufficient,” said Timothy J. Wilmott, Penn National President and CEO.

“Hollywood Casino, which created more than 1,200 construction jobs and approximately 1,000 permanent jobs, is the closest gaming facility to downtown San Diego and we look forward to providing our guests an unparalleled entertainment, gaming and dining experience,” Wilmott concluded.

Hollywood Casino Jumal – San Diego’s General Manager, Richard St. Jean, was grateful to JIV for giving him the chance to be a part of this momentous occasion, as well.

“On behalf of our more than 1,000 team members – the vast majority of whom were hired locally – we are truly excited this day has finally arrived and we can’t wait to open our doors and begin providing world class entertainment and customer service,” said St. Jean.

“I want to thank the Jamul Indian Village for entrusting my team with this responsibility,” he continued. “We are committed to working to realize the full promise of this economic engine.”

Penn National’s agreement with JIV, and subsequently authorized by NIGC, will see the Penn National take charge of all operational functions at Hollywood Casino Jumal – San Diego for the next 7 years. During that time, the company will collect 30% of the California casino’s net revenue. The company will receive an additional 2% of net revenue as a licensing fee for the use of the famous “Hollywood Casino” name.