A 608,756-square-foot casino may be on its way to Elk Grove.
Earlier this month, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the Wilton Rancheria Tribe from building a casino on land entrusted to them by the federal government. Now, the tribe is set to build a $400 million casino project on the land located at the northwest portion of the intersection of Grant Line Road and Highway 99.
The industrious casino project proposes a hospitality and entertainment facility, which will include a 12-story 302 room hotel, pool, spa. It will also boast six restaurants and bars, as well as a vast 110,260-square-foot gaming floor. There is even space for a large 47,634-square foot convention center.
The casino could bolster the area’s economy and bring in new business. According to the Wilton Rancheria Tribe, the project will create 1,600 construction jobs; 1,750 full-time employee positions; and 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Nonetheless, some in the Elk Grove community have expressed concerns whether the casino would result in a loss of tax revenue, create an increase in traffic, or put a strain on local government. However, according the Environmental Impact Study on file at wiltoneis.com, the Tribe has agreed to provide funding to the city of Elk Grove, Elk Grove Unified School District and local non-profit organizations to pay for services such as law enforcement, traffic impacts and compensate for loss of tax revenue. Additionally, Sacramento County has prepared an agreement with the Tribe that mitigates impacts to the court system, county roads and social services that deal with problem gambling, drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence programs. The total cumulative payments from the Tribe to the community over 20 years is approximately $132 million.
Thus far, there is no completion date set for the casino project and the Wilton Rancheria Tribe has not announced a date for the opening of the casino. Stay tuned for more information!