She said within the last decade the amount of competition for gaming dollars among tribally operated casinos has increased, prompting those casinos to find ways to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Spilde said that Soboba’s changes are part of a larger trend. “It’s a full-blown destination resort now, no longer just Soboba Casino,” Marketing Director Gene Stachowski said. Elsewhere in the region, Cahuilla Casino in Anza and San Manuel Casino in Highland will soon be building their own hotels. Soboba Casino is the first casino in Riverside County to add a hotel since 2008 when Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa completed its hotel property in Rancho Mirage, though Pechanga Resort & Casino added a second hotel tower in 2017. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “I think it’s a natural evolution for their property to expand and add the hotel given the competitive environment and what their neighbor tribes are doing,” said Katherine Spilde, a professor at San Diego State University’s L. Not only does it feature such amenities as 200 rooms, several restaurants, a food court, pool and conference space, it also leaves room for future growth. 22 - is a much different experience than its predecessor. Though signs and pictures will reference the original casino and the tribe’s history, the new 474,000-square-foot resort property -scheduled to open its casino Feb. “We felt we needed to keep a piece of our past to display and show visitors where we come from,” Soboba Tribal Council Vice Chairman Isaiah Vivanco said. The sign was atop the original Soboba Casino, which was built in 1995. And while it will become a symbol for the new resort and a likely focal point for Instagram selfies, the sign itself is a link to the tribe’s past.

A large, burgundy-colored Soboba Casino sign surrounded by light bulbs will greet visitors as they make their way to the luxe, new Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto.

Soboba casino expansion