The opening ceremony featured Hard Rock’s signature Guitar Smash, a tribal blessing, and several community celebrations. Leaders emphasized that the casino is more than just a gaming venue; it’s a multi-phase development designed to boost local hospitality, entertainment, and economic growth.

The property includes a 150,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 2,000 slot machines and more than 50 table games. Beyond gaming, guests will find restaurants, bars, and live entertainment spaces that reflect Hard Rock’s globally recognized brand.

Community Support

The project has already generated thousands of construction jobs and will provide more than 1,000 permanent positions for the local community. It also represents the most significant private hospitality investment in Kern County’s history, underscoring its role as a transformative development for the Central Valley.

Tribal Chairman Octavio Escobedo III described the opening as a “historic day” for the Tejon Indian Tribe, highlighting the community’s resilience and vision for future generations. Hard Rock executives echoed this sentiment, noting that the property will serve both Southern California and Central Valley markets while strengthening the tribe’s economic foundation.

California Casino Options

California does not authorize commercial casinos to operate within state lines. However, there are approximately 87 tribal casinos in California that offer Class II & class III gaming to players over 18. While tribal casinos are not authorized to provide their gaming options online, there are no state or federal laws that prevent players from accessing offshore gambling sites.

Online CA casinos have been servicing the state since the late 1990s and offer staple casino titles such as slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette, and more. Online players typically gravitate towards the top-rated sites for their extensive library of games and wagering options.

Some of the perks often associated with online gambling include bigger bonuses, lucrative reward packages, and the integration of cryptocurrency. Today, many sites allow players to gamble with Bitcoin or other altcoins such as Litecoin, Cardano, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.

The $600 million Hard Rock Casino Tejon, owned by the Tejon Indian Tribe and operated by Hard Rock International, will officially open on November 13 in Mettler, just south of Bakersfield near the Grapevine Pass and Interstate 5.

The expansive facility will feature 150,000 square feet of gaming space, including over 2,000 slot machines, dozens of live table games such as blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, and three-card poker, as well as exclusive rooms for high-stakes play. Its scale and offerings place it among the most prominent casino venues outside Las Vegas, and among the largest CA Indian casinos in operation.

Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, described the project as a transformative addition to the region’s entertainment landscape, promising to raise the bar for hospitality and gaming experiences.

The Tejon Indian Tribe, which regained federal recognition in 2011 after decades of advocacy, views the casino’s opening as a milestone in its journey toward economic empowerment. Tribal chairman Octavio Escobedo III emphasized the significance of the development, noting that it has already created thousands of construction jobs and will provide 1,000 permanent positions once operational.

More Developments

Beyond gaming, the complex will include a tribal government center, healthcare facilities, and housing for tribal members. The opening coincides with Hard Rock’s broader expansion efforts, including a competitive bid for a casino license in New York.

Meanwhile, tensions persist in California over another proposed casino in Sonoma County, where local tribes and officials have raised concerns about federal approval processes.

Online Gambling Takes A Backseat

Although California is home to a robust gaming industry, including 66 tribal casinos, the state has not authorized online gambling operators to establish services within its borders. However, California gambling laws do not explicitly prohibit residents from accessing and playing at online casinos based outside the state.

Since the late 1990s, online casinos have served California players, offering a convenient alternative for real-money gaming. All land-based casinos in the state are located on tribal lands, which are frequently situated a considerable distance from major urban centers such as Los Angeles or Sacramento.

If the trust is approved, the Koi Nation wants to build their Shiloh Resort and Casino near Windsor, CA. The casino has plans for a 2,500-slot room with an adjacent 400-room hotel. However, there are already two California Indian casinos in the vicinity.

Dino Beltran, vice chair of the Koi Nation’s Tribal Council, told reporters, “It has taken us years to be on the same playing field as every other tribe in the United States, and now the same tribes that have established themselves are against us. It’s an unfortunate thing.”

Greg Sarris, chair of Graton Rancheria, was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents by Governor Newsom in 2023. Sarris opposes the tribe’s location for the new casino, stating that the tribe’s ancestral home is in Lake County, about 50 miles northeast of the projected casino site. Sarris said, “They claim that part of their deep historical connection is they had a family member in the early 20th century who lived in Sonoma County.”

In 1916, the US government approved land in Lake County for the Koi Nation; however, the Bureau of Indian Affairs eventually deemed it uninhabitable.

Are Online Casinos Legal In California?

No state laws make online California casinos legal or illegal. The state does not authorize its tribal casinos to operate online, but it does not restrict its residents from accessing online casino sites outside the state.

Online casinos are popular in California because they offer Vegas-style games without the need to travel to one of the 76 Indian casinos. Popular games include blackjack, roulette, video poker, baccarat, and live dealer games. Players also like the more prominent online casino bonuses and the adaptation of digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more.

Our online casino reviews are a great place to start if you are looking for a trusted online gambling site. Our team of professionals has years of experience vetting each site we recommend. Each site we review is licensed and legal to operate from a trusted governing body.

A hot seat jackpot, also known as a hot seat lottery, is an additional jackpot for table game players. Every dollar wagered in a four-minute window enters a player in the prize pool. The more a player wagers, the more chances they have to win the jackpot.

Each gaming table has a tablet linked to the seat. Players can pay an entry fee and earn tickets based on the amount they wager during the four-minute window. Once the jackpot drops, a player will win the pool if their seat number is drawn. At Harrah’s in Ione, California, table games include blackjack, roulette, and Three-card poker.

The Hotseat jackpot placed third for the best new table game at the 2022 Global Protection and New Table Game Conference in Las Vegas. Harrah’s in Ione, Ca., is owned by the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians.

More California Gambling Options

In addition to in-person casino gambling, California residents will have more gambling options available in 2024, including sports betting, poker, and online California casinos.

While the state does not allow its numerous casino locations to offer their services online, out-of-state gambling sites that are licensed and operating legally can accept CA players. Online, the options are endless, offering the convenience of live dealer games, massive slot libraries, multiple table game variations, and specialty games.

The most trusted online casinos have been operating and accepting CA players since the early 2000s and have built a reputation among their users.

Online Casino Perks

While the thrill of a casino is unmatched by its online counterparts, the online casino perks are often unbeatable, too. Online casinos tout their bonus options for good reason: they are one of the few perks local CA casinos can’t offer. While there are bonus rewards for frequent players or high rollers, deposit matches are almost unheard of at the brick-and-mortar casinos.

Other perks include crypto gambling with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other popular altcoins. Digital assets make transferring money to your account fast and stress-free. Bonus rewards are often higher when depositing into an online casino account with Bitcoin.