California’s New $600M Casino Set to Outsize Vegas Giants

A massive new tribal casino — built to compete with some of Las Vegas’ largest resorts — will open Nov. 13 in California’s Central Valley. Hard Rock Casino Tejon sits on land owned by the Tejon Indian Tribe in Mettler, just south of Bakersfield near the Grapevine off the 5 Freeway. The $600 million project brings a gaming footprint of roughly 150,000 square feet, putting it in the same size league as MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria.

Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO at Seminole Gaming, said the property will “set a new standard for entertainment in the region.” The gaming floor will host more than 2,000 slot machines, live table games including blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em and three-card poker, plus dedicated rooms for higher-stakes and exclusive offerings.

What the Floor—and the Floorplan—Means for Players

With 150,000 square feet of gaming, the Tejon property offers players a rare mix: the scale of a Strip mega-resort with the convenience of a local venue. Expect a large variety of slot themes and denominations, multiple live-dealer pits, and private gaming areas for VIP action. On the payments side, the brand supports ACH and bank wire transfers, major cards like Visa and MasterCard, ewallets such as PayPal and Neteller, on-site options including PayNearMe, and traditional echeck solutions — giving visitors multiple ways to fund play and collect winnings.

Hard Rock’s casino network also ties into online offerings. New players familiar with the Hard Rock digital experience can find promotional packages such as a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 plus 50 free spins (minimum deposit $20; wagering requirement applies), along with loyalty rewards and regular boosts. Availability and exact offers vary by state, so online promotions may differ for California residents.

For digital bettors seeking a broad gaming library, Hard Rock partners with major software developers — names like IGT, NetEnt, Playtech, Konami, Red Tiger, SG Gaming (Scientific Games), and others — providing a wide roster of slots and table-game variants that mirror on-site machines and software-driven tables.

A Long Road to Recognition and Revenue

The casino’s arrival caps decades of effort by the Tejon Tribe to gain federal recognition. After being left off the Bureau of Indian Affairs list for years, the tribe won recognition in 2011 and soon entered negotiations with operators. The development generated thousands of construction jobs during the build and is projected to support about 1,000 permanent positions once doors open.

Tejon Tribe chairman Octavio Escobedo III called the opening a celebration of heritage and resilience and said the project will create economic opportunity and long-term prosperity for the community. Beyond gaming, the campus includes a tribal government center, a medical facility and housing to directly benefit tribal members.

Market Stakes: New York Bid and California Legal Battles

Hard Rock’s Tejon launch arrives as the company continues to push in other major markets. The operator is still vying to open a casino in New York, competing against bids from rivals like MGM Resorts International. Meanwhile, California’s casino landscape is complicated by legal challenges: Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has criticized federal approvals for a separate sprawling gambling complex near Windsor in Sonoma County, and local tribes such as the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have opposed that project. A judge recently halted progress on that Sonoma proposal while court disputes continue.

What This Means for Players and the Region

Hard Rock Casino Tejon is positioned to be more than a regional gaming venue — it aims to be an entertainment magnet that keeps Southern California drivers and touring visitors in the Central Valley longer. For players, the combination of a massive on-site footprint, familiar software providers, flexible payment options, and branded online promotions creates multiple ways to play, earn rewards and chase big payouts. Grand opening weekends typically bring time-limited incentives and special events, so those planning to visit around Nov. 13 should prepare for promotional windows that may not last.