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If you're feeling lucky, it might be that time to raise the stakes at Soboba Casino. To find it, go 420 miles (676 kilometers) from the state capital, Sacramento, until you arrive at San Jacinto. Prospective tourists will be happy to discover there are 7 hotels within 6 miles (10 kilometers) of Soboba Casino. Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City opened to the public on Tuesday, Nov. 24, according to the casino's social media accounts. Just after 8 p.m. The casino's Twitter account featured a message. Soboba Casino Resort: Grant Hirata, director of the San Jacinto area resort's hotel, said additional workers — about 5 or 6 per shift — have been allocated to bathrooms and the gaming floor.
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians and Cabazon Band of Mission Indians on Tuesday became the latest tribes in the Coachella Valley to announce plans to close their casino doors temporarily to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Their decisions came on the same day Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser announced the county's third coronavirus death and confirmed the county's 16th case.
After declaring a state of emergency, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians opted to temporarily shutter all tribal facilities, including its casinos, golf courses and hiking areas.
The tribe's casinos in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage closed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, while the Indian Canyons Gold Resort in Palm Springs, Tahquitz Canyon and the Indian Canyons were scheduled to close on Wednesday.
'Pursuant to tribal law, we declared a state of emergency today for the reservation to protect the health and welfare of tribal members, tribal employees and the broader non-tribal reservation community,' Tribal Chairman Jeff Grubbe said in Tuesday's statement. 'We stand ready to assist federal, tribal, local and state agencies with emergency preparedness and disaster response related to the COVID 19 global pandemic.'
© Courtesy photo Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, Calif.The Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and Casino Morongo near Banning shut down at noon Tuesday, while Fantasy Springs Resort Casino near Indio was close at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The tribes expect the casinos to be closed through at least the end of the month.
Cabazon Tribal Chairman Doug Welmas said the tribal council determined this was the right decision for both guests and employees.
'The council greatly appreciates their hard work and has taken measures to ensure that they are compensated during this time,' Welmas said of the employees. 'We will continue to reassess the situation as new information becomes available, and proceed with unity, leadership and generosity.'
The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians joined other tribes Tuesday night in announcing the Soboba Casino Resort near San Jacinto would temporarily close from 4 p.m. Wednesday until April 1.
In a statement, the tribe said its 'team members' will receive their base pay through April 1.
'It's in God's hands'
Over the weekend, in the hopes of curbing the virus, state and county officials declared a prohibition on all gatherings of more than 10 people through April 30.
But as sovereign nations, federally recognized tribes do not have to abide by state or local orders limiting occupancy.
And, on Tuesday afternoon, before the Agua Caliente announced the closures, the main floor of the tribe's Palm Springs casino was filled with guests, including a few who wore face masks or gloves.
Casino staff continuously wiped down slot machines, which 36-year-old Wanda Holt-Smith, of Cathedral City, found comforting.
'I'm okay with (being here) because they keep it clean, you know, and I haven't seen anyone sick here actually, so I think that's a big part of it,' Holt-Smith said. 'People aren't coming in if they're having symptoms, I guess.'
Taylor Hutchinson, 30, of Palm Springs, said she also was not personally worried about potentially getting the virus. Hutchinson said she has constantly washed her hands while she's been out.
She said she was a little surprised the casino was still open Tuesday, as well as how many different people were there.
'It's a little scary in that aspect,' Hutchinson said.
If the casino were to close, she said she'd 'probably be at home anyways because my job might close too.'
Phillip Carlton, 51, a Palm Springs Unified School District teacher, said he would 'stay home and eat.'
Carlton said he typically goes to the tribe's Rancho Mirage casino but he felt safer at the Palm Springs location because he expected more locals than visitors there.
Cherry Valley resident Mike Willhide, who is 71 and considered to be at increased risk of contracting the coronavirus, seemed unfazed. He said he and his wife headed to the Palm Springs casino Tuesday after discovering the Morongo Casino had closed. The couple hoped to enjoy St. Patrick's Day with some corned beef and cabbage at the Morongo Casino.
Willhide, who said he operates an electric wholesale business, said he absolutely wanted the Agua Caliente casino to stay open. He described himself as a 'pretty healthy' individual.
'It's in God's hands,' Willhide said.
Asked what he meant exactly, Willhide added, 'Whether I die or not. If you believe in God, that's what it's all about.'
More closures, but some casinos still open
Over the past few days, the San Manuel Casino, Augustine Casino and Pechanga Resort Casino have all suspended their operations over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
All of the tribes that have closed their casinos have committed to providing their employees with pay and benefits during their closures.
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment Corp. has begun laying off employees due to sudden, unexpected reduced business as a result of the pandemic, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported Sunday.
Other casinos in the region announced last week that they were cancelling shows and stepping up their cleaning protocols, but several remained open as of Tuesday, including:
- Red Earth Casino, operated by Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
- Cahuilla Casino Hotel, operated by Cahuilla Band of Indians
- Tortoise Rock Casino and Spotlight 29 Casino, operated by Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
Private schools on the Morongo reservation, which serve preschool age children through ninth graders, have temporarily closed. The Noli Indian School on the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians reservation, which is operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, is closed through the end of the week, at least.
Asked if or when the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians might close its casino, Tribal Vice Chairman Joseph Mirelez said they take 'health and safety concerns seriously and we're figuring out what is the best course of action, which includes possibly closing in the near future.'
He declined to provide any further detail.
The Cahuilla Band of Indians did not respond to a request for comment and a spokesman for the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians declined to comment for this story.
Risa Johnson covers Native American affairs in the Coachella Valley and beyond. She can be reached at risa.johnson@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4737. Follow her on Twitter @risamjohnson.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coronavirus: Agua Caliente, Fantasy Springs, Morongo latest Coachella Valley casinos to announce temporary closures
The Inland Empire is home to more Casinos than any other area of Southern California. In fact, the IE is the home to California's largest casino! Save the gas and check out these casinos in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Pechanga Resort & Casino
- California's largest casinos! 3,400 slot machines stretching approximately 188,000 square feet of gaming space. Superb entertainment options featuring some of the biggest entertainers touring the nation.
- Silk Nightclub is one of most posh nightclubs in the Inland Empire- a sure upscale experience.
- The restaurants in this gaming palace will surely please all appetites. Fine dining options include the Great Oak (steakhouse), The Grotto (seafood, sushi), Paisano's Italian. Numerous casual dining and snack options fill this venue, including Asian options, a buffet and much more.
- If you're looking for a reason to avoid the drive to Vegas while having just as much fun, check out a weekend at Pechanga.
- 45000 Pala Road, Temecula, CA 92592, 877-711-2946, www.pechanga.com
Casino Morongo
- This brand new 27 story hotel is the tallest building in the Inland Empire. The facilities match the grandeur of Las Vegas, and the buffet is better than the most expensive Vegas buffets. Located near Banning and Beaumont east of where the 10 and 60 meet. Check out this casino for some great entertainment and event options.
- 49750 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CA 92230, 800-252-4499, www.casinomorongo.com
San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino
- Located near the City of San Bernardino, this impressive entertainment and gaming center is close to all of the metro Inland Empire area and Los Angeles! Thursday nights feature some of the best music, comedy and other acts in the Inland Empire!
- 5797 N. Victoria Ave, Highland, CA 92346, 800-359-2464, www.sanmanuel.com
Soboba Casino
- Rated #1 Casino in the Inland Empire Southern California 3 Years running in The Press-Enterprise Readers Poll.
- 23333 Soboba Road, San Jacinto, CA 92582, 888-772-7626, www.soboba.com
Lake Elsinore Hotel Casino
- 20930 Malaga St, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, 951-674-3101, www.lercasino.com
Cahuilla Casino
- 52702 Hwy 371, Anza, CA 92539. Located between Temecula and Palm Springs, 888.371.ANZA (2692) | 951.763.1200
Palm Springs and Coachella Valley Casinos
- Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage – Coachella Valley's largest hotel and casino located adjacent to Interstate 10. Be sure to check out the beautiful pool. Connected with the Indian Canyons Golf Resort and Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs.
- Spa Resort Casino – Palm Springs – Want to gamble and stay in urban Palm Springs? This is the place to go. Check out their fun events, ranging from beer and food truck fests to concerts, comedy and more. Downtown Palm Springs is right outside your door, so feel free to venture out and have fun. This casino is connected with the Agua Caliente Casino in nearby Rancho Mirage.
- Fantasy Springs Casino – Indio – One of Coachella Valley's three resort hotel and casinos.
- Spotlight 29 Casin0 – Coachella – Smaller casino with some various entertainment options.
- Augustine Casino – Coachella – No frills casino that makes a great stop when you're looking for discount gas.
- Red Earth Casino – Salton Sea Beach – Smaller casino with slot machines only. Good casino for gamblers on a budget, as the drinks are cheap and there are plenty of penny slots.
Casino in Havasu
Casinos in San Diego County
- Harrah's – North County San Diego
- Pala Casino– North County San Diego
Soboba Casino Tuesday Nights No Deposit
Laughlin Casinos
Soboba Casino Opening
View Casinos in the Inland Empire in a larger map
