Dry Creek Rancheria sees big drop after nearby casino opens


The Graton Resort and Casino opened on November 5. Photo from Instagram

The Dry Creek Rancheria of California has taken a big hit in gaming revenues ever since the opening of a nearby casino, Chairman Harvey Hopkins said.

Hopkins told The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat that revenues at the River Rock Casino have fallen at least 30 percent since the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria opened the Graton Resort and Casino in November. But another source said the situation is much worse.

“Graton is knocking the crap out of us. Forty to 45 percent of our revenue is gone,” the source told the paper.

Hopkins said his tribe's casino has lost 100 employees to Graton and the tribal government has cut positions in response to the drop in revenues. Per capita payments to tribal members also have been cut in half.

River Rock is about 33 miles south of the Graton casino.

Get the Story:
River Rock Casino taking hit in wake of Graton casino opening (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 3/19)

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