A new casino in Mettler is moving forward as the California Legislature has approved a bill to ratify a gaming compact to the Tejon Indian Tribe. After earning the support of the Assembly, the Senate reviewed Bill 910 and passed with overwhelming approval 39-0. The measure now moves on to the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom.

Once the governor signs the measure, the Department of the Interior will review the compact. The bill was passed on the final day of the current session.

Large Scale Casino Development

The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be a joint effort by the tribe and Hard Rock International. The casino will offer over 166,000 square feet of space and include an 11-story hotel. The gaming floor will provide 3,000 slot games.

The casino is located off Interstate 5 and is connected to a larger complex of businesses and a residential area. Administrative offices for the tribe, a healthcare facility, and supporting infrastructure are included in the plans. The hotel will include 400 guest rooms for overnight stays, several on-site restaurants, a convention center, and an entertainment venue.

The passage of the legislation will benefit the Tejon Tribe and Kern County as almost 5,000 jobs will be created. The live entertainment venue and convention spaces are expected to bring more growth to the area.

It is unclear when the casino project will get underway, but we assume construction will start later on this year. Hard Rock or the Tejon Tribe will most likely update the public with project plans.

Pushing Through with Approvals

The legislative approval comes just a few months after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new compact with the Tejon Tribe. The agreement placed the more than 300 acres of land in Kern County into a trust for the tribe. As many as 52 acres will be used to create the $600 million casino resort.

The casino project was first announced in 2019 as part of a deal with Hard Rock International. Once completed, the property will be a big draw for locals and out-of-towners. The casino will be situated around 20 miles south of Bakersfield, California. Officials of the casino feel that its location will help to bring in people from across the state.

During the construction phase, as many as 1,000 temporary jobs are expected. Full-time and part-time employment positions will come later once the property is fully operational. The hiring process for permanent positions will most likely get underway once the casino is further along in the construction process.