"Hollywood" no more -- the Jamul Indian Village has completed a takeover of its gaming facility in southern California, now known as the Jamul Casino. Photo: Jamul Casino

Business Deals | California | Openings & Closings

Jamul Indian Village completes takeover and announces new name for casino

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

The Jamul Indian Village is now managing its gaming facility in southern California after parting ways with a prominent partner.

The tribe launched the casino in October 2016 with backing from Penn National Gaming. But the relationship ended in March with documents indicating the tribe owing tens of millions of dollars to Penn National.

But the tribe is looking forward to a brighter future by running the facility on its own. As of Monday, it's now officially known as the Jamul Casino.

“This is a momentous occasion for the Jamul Indian Village,” Chairwoman Erica Pinto said in a press release. “We are incredibly proud of the work of our management team and staff in making this a smooth transition and in making our goal of self-sufficiency a reality. We are even prouder of the fact that we have not laid off even one employee, indeed, we are hiring now to fill positions.”

The new name reflects the tribe's heritage -- Jamul means "sweetwater" in the Kumeyaay language. Sweetwater is also the name of a river in tribal territory.

We invite the community to visit us and see the exciting changes happening at the Jamul Casino,” Pinto said. “We’re committed to providing a high-quality gaming experience and a dining destination for our guests, and to building on our strong relationship with the East County community.”

According to Penn National, the tribe secured $460 million in financing to open the casino, which was more than a decade in the making. But the tribe is in default, the firm said in its own press release on Monday.

"At present, approximately $95 million is outstanding on the term loan," Penn National said.

The casino is located on the tribe's small reservation. It is the closest to downtown San Diego.

Read More on the Story:
Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation Takes Over Management for Jamul Casino (NBC San Diego May 29, 2018)
Hollywood Casino undergoes name, management change (KGTV May 29, 2018)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Availability of a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Jamul Indian Village Proposed Gaming Management Agreement, San Diego County, California (March 14, 2016)