California: Elk Valley Casino opens with more space and offerings than previous venue

The new Elk Valley Casino in Crescent City, California, officially opened its doors on Friday. The 36,000 square-foot venue, owned by Elk Valley Rancheria Indians, is located off Highway 101 and is bigger by half than the older casino it replaced on Howland Hill Road, two miles away.

The casino features 300 slot machines, and table games including blackjack and Spanish 21. A separate poker room is set to offer Texas Hold’em and poker tournaments, while bingo will be played in the full event center, reports Del Norte Triplicate. Guests at the new property will continue to receive all points and benefits earned at the former location.

The facility includes a large events center that will feature bigger touring acts, while a more intimate entertainment setting is available on a smaller stage in the Warrior Bar and Grill. Guest favorites from the former casino menu are offered, as well as an all-new, upscale-rustic menu. Meanwhile, The Perks! Gift Shop offers coffee, pastries, tobacco, gifts and sundries.

“The new Elk Valley Casino opens today in a magnificent setting between the grazing meadows of Roosevelt elk and the majestic mountains and forest, all overlooking the panoramic view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and South Beach,” said a press release made available on Friday. 

The statement also described Elk Valley Casino as featuring “a state-of-the-art fresh air ventilation system” equipped with the Synexis Bio-Defense System to combat viruses, bacteria and smoke. The property also includes “an enormous parking lot” with ADA accessible spaces and EV charging stations.

Rendering for the new Elk Valley Casino

The long-awaited opening of the casino property kicked off on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by events during the weekend, which included cash giveaways, promotions and more.

“The grand opening will be a special day for the Tribe with the culmination of years of planning and anticipation of this new facility. We are all excited to open the doors to not only a casino, but a gathering place for our friends and family in the community,” said Matthew Dodd, general manager, earlier this month.

The original casino first opened in 1995. The new venue is not only larger but is also located closer to Highway 101, near Humboldt and Sand Mine roads. The project took about eight years to secure the federal approval needed for the casino site to be taken into federal trust to qualify for an Indian gaming casino under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The casino is supported by the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors and the Crescent City Council.