Spotlight 29 casino in Coachella celebrated its grand re-opening and expansion Thursday. The project cost $52 million but the tribe is hoping it'll lead to a brighter future.
Even casinos are not recession proof. Revenues are down at several California casinos.
Despite that, Spotlight 29 decided to take a gamble, putting in millions to add more slot machines, table games, and renovate a showroom and restaurant.
The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Tribal Chairman, Darrell Mike, said plans started before the economy headed into a downward spiral. Mike said they're feeling the pinch of the economy but they're hoping the expansion will attract more gamers.
"There was talk about pausing (the project), put it on the back burner but we decided to finish it," Mike said. "We're not one for quitting and stopping halfway through. Life is a gamble. We take it and hopefully it will project us forward."
Some casino players we talked to were excited already.
"I've actually won a little bit," Marsha Carlisle, a slot player, said. "I was here three years ago and the change...oh! The place is beautiful. I like it."
Mike said the tribe is also hoping to build a hotel in the next three years.
This expansion also means more jobs. A casino spokesperson says they're looking for about 20 restaurant workers, housekeepers, bartenders.
Contact the casino for more information. It's located at 46200 Harrison Street in Coachella and can be reached by calling 760-775-5566.
