Gaming News

Twin Pine casino construction begins

MIDDLETOWN, California -- As reported by the Lake County Record Bee: "One of the six Pomo tribes in Lake County broke ground Saturday on a $36 million casino expansion in Middletown. Construction of the Middletown Rancheria Pomo Indian tribe's Twin Pine Casino began yesterday.

"Lake County casino expansions provide a microcosmic glimpse of a nationwide debate that pits tribal sovereignty against states' desires to attain guaranteed gaming revenues. Last year, California Indian gaming stole the gambling crown from the home of Las Vegas, generating more revenues than the iconic Nevada casinos, and triggering political discussions and new regulations in California.

"The square footage of the tent-like structure will quadruple as the project unfolds over the next 14 months, transforming the casino into a 91,000-square-foot lodge-style facility with the addition of a hotel and expanded gaming floor.

"The 438 slot machines and eight table games will expand to 700 slot machines and 12 table games. The increase in slot machines is permissible under a 1999 state compact, and needed licenses have already been approved, according to Jose Simon III, chairman of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians.

"...Financing for the expansion came from East Coast Mohegan Tribe in Uncasville, Conn.

"...The casino employs 210 people, according to Simon, and that number will jump to 300 once construction is completed in January 2009. The 60-room hotel will add 40,000-square-feet and the 12,000-square-foot casino floor will expand to 35,000 square-feet. It is one of the top employers in the growing south portion of the county, where the population growth 13.1 percent is well above the state's average of 7.6 percent between 2000 and 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau..."

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