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What can you tell us about the new Harrah's Northern California Casino and Resort?
Harrah's Buena Vista is still in the construction process. The $168 million casino is located on the Buena Vista Rancheria, 32 miles southeast of Sacramento, on 67 acres of reservation land where the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians has lived since 1817. It features a Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced exterior, including a prominent waterfall. The Buena Vista will be the 17th Harrah's-branded property in the company's history.
When completed, it will have 950 slot machines, 20 table games, one fine-dining restaurant, and three fast-food outlets. Caesars Entertainment and the Me-Wuk broke ground last April; the last completion date we saw was the fourth quarter of 2019.
The casino didn't come easily. Amador County opposed in it court, impelled by a non-binding referendum that showed 84% of nearby residents opposed gaming development. The million-dollar court case was eventually handed down in the Me-Wuk’s favor when the District of Columbia threw out Amador County's suit, ruling that a 1987 decision by the Department of the Interior to take land into trust for the Me-Wuk had precedence. The tribe's subsequent compact with California gives the state an annual $8 million cut of gambling revenues.
Harrah's Buena Vista won't, however, be without competition. Already, Amador County is host to Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort, which has 1,700 slots and 38 tables.