Construction Begins on $360M Indian Gaming Casino in Jamul

By Toni McAllister

Southern California is slated to get another Indian gaming casino.

Jamul Indian Village of California, a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc., today announced the launch of construction activities at the site of the proposed $360 million Hollywood Casino Jamul on JIV’s reservation in Jamul, approximately 20 miles east of downtown San Diego.

Hollywood Casino Jamul, projected to open in late 2015, is expected to include a three-story gaming and entertainment facility of approximately 200,000 square feet featuring over 1,700 slot machines, 50 live table games including poker, multiple restaurants, bars and lounges and an enclosed below grade parking structure with over 1,900 spaces.  

"The project will create an estimated 2,500 construction and permanent jobs in the area," according to a news release from Penn National Gaming. 

“We are very excited that our long-time dream will finally become a reality,” said Raymond Hunter, chairman of the Jamul Indian Village of California. “We have worked tirelessly for well over a decade listening to the voices of the community, addressing concerns, and ultimately developing a project that blends seamlessly into the region, while creating approximately 2,500 much needed construction and permanent jobs in our region. 

"We look forward to continuing to be a good neighbor, as well as becoming a philanthropic leader and an active business partner in San Diego County.  We are grateful for the constructive meetings and dialogue with the Governor’s office, California Department of Transportation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and many others who participated in this process.”

The JIV recounts a long tribal history. 

"The Kumeyaay Nation of Southern California can be traced back 12,000 years with first European contact occurring at San Diego Bay in 1524. Jamul Indian Village of California, one of 13 bands of the Kumeyaay Nation federally recognized as a sovereign nation, traces its roots to these natives," according to the news release. 

Penn National Gaming, through its subsidiaries, owns, operates or has ownership interests in gaming and racing facilities with a focus on slot machine entertainment. The company currently operates 26 facilities in 17 jurisdictions, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Ontario.