In San Bernardino County, the California Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) has for the 11th consecutive year awarded the Responsible Gambling Silver Certification to the San Manuel Casino.

The CCPG, which is an affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, awards the certification to casinos that are compliant with its principles and that demonstrate a commitment to responsible gaming practices.

General Manager for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians-owned property, Loren Gill, said they are proud of their eleventh consecutive silver certification. Gill added, “This recognition speaks to our long-standing commitment to not only provide a fun and entertaining gaming experience, but also a safe and healthy atmosphere for our guests,” according to the press release as reported by the Highland Community News newspaper.

Founded in 1986, the CCPG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing assistance to problem gamblers and their families by promoting awareness, research, education, prevention and treatment for problem gambling.

Located in Highland, California at 777 San Manuel Blvd, San Manuel Casino was established in 1986 as a high-stakes bingo operation, San Manuel Indian Bingo. Building on the success of its bingo operation, in 1994 the property was expanded to include a 100,000 square foot casino with a card room and slot machines.

Following the expansion a decade earlier, in 2003 in an effort to secure its position as one of Southern California’s leading entertainment destinations, the tribe embarked on an amenity enhancement project to increase the casino’s gaming positions.

After then opening in Jan. 2005, a two-year, $50 million renovation project was completed in Feb. 2016 having added a 5,000 square foot Asian gaming area including 60 slots, baccarat, blackjack and Pai Gow. Other additions included the property’s landmark bar, Bar Bar Bar, which is situated in the center of the casino’s ground floor, with seating for 70, three blackjack tables and 20 tabletop video poker machines. Two new restaurants were also added to the casino’s food court and the long-running bingo hall was permanently shuttered.

In November last year, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians unveiled plans to expand and improve its casino space, with the proposed expansion project to take place within the existing casino site. According to the tribe’s newsletter, the expansion will include a resort-style, 500-room hotel; an expanded casino space with state-of-the-art amenities; an entertainment venue with up to 4,000 seats; additional meeting and event space; new amenities, including upscale restaurants and retail shops and a spa; a 2,200-vehicle parking structure; and power utility infrastructure.

With a workforce of over 3,000, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is one of the region’s largest employers and recently hosted a job fair at the San Manuel Event Center looking to hire over 350 new employees.