In San Diego County, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation celebrated the grand opening of its $260 million expansion on Wednesday, April 27, 2019. The major undertaking began in March 2017, when the tribe broke ground on the project that added 500,000 square feet, and a 12-story, 300-room, 57-suite hotel and resort to what began humbly as a “bingo place” in 1983.

“a historic and momentous day for Sycuan”

According to the official press release, Chairman for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Cody J. Martinez, said…

“Just two years ago, we broke ground and committed to becoming the premier gaming destination in San Diego County and today we delivered on that promise.

“This project would not have been possible without the support and vision of the Sycuan people, our team members and the incredible construction effort by Swinerton Builders. This is a historic and momentous day for Sycuan and we are extremely proud to see this one-of-a-kind project become a reality.”

Second major renovation:

Having undergone another major renovation in 2012, the more recent effort to transform the 34-year-old California venue into a Las Vegas-style casino resort began two years ago when the tribe broke ground for the development, and later held a topping-off ceremony.

Gaming swell:

The new hotel and resort is situated adjacent to the existing casino and includes 60,000 square feet of dedicated gaming space, and according to the Sycuan fact sheet (pdf), ‘2,800 slot machines and 80 table games,
including a non-smoking gaming area option.’

Amenity-packed:

Other state-of-the-art resort amenities at the El Cajon property include a total of 42,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, a full-service salon and spa with eight treatment rooms and sauna, a 24-hour fitness center, a 4-acre pool complex with two pools, gardens and a lazy river.

Additionally, there are now more than 15 restaurants and bars, including a fine dining venue, Bull and Bourbon, a high-end cocktail lounge, Elicit Bar & Lounge, an industrial brewhouse, Rank & File, a three-meal restaurant, Viewpoint Neighborhood Kitchen, a Starbucks and a fast-casual dining hall, The unCommons, which features five well-known San Diego brands.

Improvements have also been made to Sycuan’s existing property including new flooring, fresh paint, furniture and several other aesthetic upgrades.

Significant investment:

General Manager for Sycuan, John Dinuis, said…

“We have undertaken a number of renovations and expansions over the years, but nothing that compares to the size and scope of this project. This significant $260M investment is an investment in Sycuan, but will also directly benefit East County in San Diego and set a new bar for gaming, entertainment and dining options available throughout the region.”

Hiring event:

In September last year, Sycuan Casino announced that as part of the expansion, it had begun hiring for more than 700 new positions in the food and beverage, casino and hotel divisions. And a series of job fairs were hosted by the casino throughout the remainder of 2018 and into 2019.

Gaming pact:

NBC 7 San Diego reports that the tribe‘s new pact with the state of California, which allowed casinos to grow their slot count to 2,500 from 2,000, served as the catalyst for the expansion, and that casinos around San Diego County are following suit.

Martinez said…

“Sycuan definitely wanted to keep up with the competition. With our new product today I believe we’re not only keeping up, but we’re jumping ahead some of our major competition.”

Market oversaturation

Last year, in an ABC 10 News report, it was suggested that the region is over-saturated and too much competition is being created among San Diego County’s 10 casinos.