Operator News
US – California governor signs off on Hard Rock casino in Bakersfield
By Phil - 14 June 2022
The Tejon Indian Tribe has been given the green light to build its $600m Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bakersfield wit California Governor Gavin Newsom signing off with the US Department of the Interior’s determination to allow 320 acres of land to be placed in trust for the Tejon Indian Tribe for the purpose of establishing a class III gaming facility.
The Governor also signed a tribal-state gaming compact with the Tribe.
Chair of the Tejon Indian Tribe Octavio Escobedo III said: “From the start of our relationship with the United States government in 1851, our Tribe has fought for a homeland for our people. Today, Governor Newsom made that dream a reality by moving the Tribe closer to the promise of self-determination through economic development and prosperity for its 1,200 members.”
The Tribe estimates its proposed gaming facility, which will be located in Kern County approximately four miles from the Tribe’s government center, will directly create over 1,000 construction and 2,000 permanent high-wage jobs, drawing heavily from the local workforce. The project has the support of Kern County, business, labor, and community groups, and various law enforcement and public representatives. The Tribe committed through an agreement with Kern County to mitigate the impacts of the proposed gaming facility on public services and the surrounding environment.
“This is a historic day for the Tejon Indian Tribe and we congratulate them on today’s announcement,” said Chairman of Florida-based Hard Rock International Jim Allen. “We look forward to working with the State, the Tribe and Kern County officials to create over 4,900 jobs as we bring our unique brand of casino entertainment to the region.”
The compact reflects the Governor’s and Tribe’s mutual commitment to a respectful government-to-government relationship, promoting tribal economic development and self-sufficiency, and a strong tribal government. It would allow the Tribe to operate up to 3,000 slot machines and affords meaningful protections for employees and patrons. The compact also supports tribal government investment in expanded tribal government services for its members and in local jurisdictions for improved fire and emergency medical services, law enforcement, education, housing, and other service and infrastructure improvements. The compact reflects a commitment by the Tribe to ensuring through the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund and the Tribal Nation Grant Fund that the economic benefits of gaming extend to all tribal governments in California.
