This spring, Caesars parted with the Agua Caliente-and the tribe opened the casino on its own April 10, hiring managers trained in Indian gambling halls in Arizona and New Mexico.įor the time being, the facility encompasses merely 10,000 square feet off the Spa Hotel’s swimming pool. Such companies risked losing their lucrative Nevada licenses if they conducted illegal gambling, even outside the borders of that state. But the lingering California court fight over the legality of slot machines-which are the key to profitability for casinos-made it difficult for the nation’s giant gambling companies to carry out joint ventures on tribal lands in the state. Planned then was an 80,000-square-foot complex of restaurants, stores and entertainment facilities, in addition to the casino. Opened though it may be, the Spa Casino is far from the facility envisioned when the tribe announced its deal with Caesars. “You know, hindsight is hindsight,” Milanovich said. So do the Agua Caliente now regret waiting so long while other tribes raked in the cash?
