The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation took what has been described as “the biggest gamble in their hallowed history” 28 years ago. It has paid off and continues to pay off more handsomely than anyone could have ever imagined.
This dice roll by Sycuan consisted of opening of a modest bingo hall in November, 1983 in El Cajon, some 30 miles east of downtown San Diego, on the Sycuan Indian Reservation. The modest hall has been transmuted into a massive, full-scale casino checking in at 305,000 square feet. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven nights a week and features all the bells and whistles any gamer could ever hope for.
The Sycuan Casino was expanded in 2000, then again in 2001. A third and even more ambitious renovation was recently completed at a cost of around $28 million, which ties in nicely with the casino’s anniversary.
Some of the changes of the improved casino are a new sports bar and grill, additional specialty food stations and an expanded buffet and much spiffier lobby. A non-smoking wing has been added, as well as a new poker room.
“It’s nothing less than a total reevaluation of what it takes to be a great casino in San Diego,” said Sycuan Casino’s Director of Marketing Mike Tabor.
The excitement surrounding the Sycuan Casino’s renovation brings back memories of 2008, when the casino commemorated its 25th anniversary. Grammy and Academy award winning singer Lionel Richie was the headlining performer. Why? Because when the Sycuan casino opened in ’83, Richie’s “All Night Long” was the top song in the country.
Any conversation about the Sycuan Casino wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the neighboring Sycuan Resort, which features a top-flight hotel, golf and tennis as well as concert venues that often bring in world-class talent.
Speaking of golf, the resort will be hosting a 16-player (or four groups of four) golf tournament later this month. Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place winners, and even the last-place finisher will be cited. Among the prizes are two hours of complimentary lessons, dinner for two and certificates to Sycuan’s pro shop. (learn more)
It’s likely that few folks who partake in the Sycuan Casino or Resort are aware of the history behind the facilities. In 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant passed an executive order to set aside specific areas of San Diego County for exclusive use of the Kumeyaays, who, including the Sycuan band, have lived in what is now San Diego County for some 12,000 years. Many members of the Sycuan band have origins in the Dehesa Valley.
Buoyed by the success of the casino, the Sycuan Band decided to branch out into other enterprises, and formed the Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation. After purchasing the golf and resort properties at Singing Hills, Sycuan has moved to development projects in National City and San Diego. Most notably, the STDC bought and renovated the historic US Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. STDC had also started a capital management firm and become boxing promoters with Ringside Promotions by Sycuan.
The latter is fitting, because the Sycuan Casino --- as well as the Resort --- has been a knockout.