which has made it even more valuable to the region ,” Stranix says .
Nelson , of Enterprise Rancheria , says the tribe is also providing modest payouts for registered members of their tribe , while it repays its debts to build the projects . The majority of gaming tribes don ’ t offer payouts , though UAIC has , according to past news coverage , and Tarango says Wilton Rancheria hopes to .
Red Hawk ’ s fortunes have improved since its early struggles , with Contreras saying , “ Business in general has increased each year . After our initial , let ’ s say three years , we ’ ve done very well .” And this phase of expansion perhaps isn ’ t Red Hawk ’ s last . The casino has had a small barn concert venue that can accommodate around 100 visitors . Red Hawk CEO Bryan deLugo says there have been internal discussions about building a larger concert venue . “ Our plan is to do that as well , but that probably will be like phase four or five ,” deLugo says .
Placer County Supervisor Robert Weygandt , whose district includes Thunder Valley , is hopeful about what The Venue will be able to do . The outdoor stage , which has attracted acts like Pitbull , has been popular . “ It has been , I think , quite successful for them ,” Weygandt says . “ But this venue will be weather-proof … and I think it will be a very nice venue . I ’ m very confident of that .”
Nelson is optimistic , too , about what Hard Rock Live can provide , even near the 18,500-person-capacity Toyota Amphitheatre in Wheatland . She speaks of the tribe being able to put on events like boxing , cage fighting and concerts by big-name musical acts . It goes with what tribal gaming venues must look to offer these days , according to Boyd Gaming ’ s Gibase : “ What you ’ re selling is an entertainment experience .”
Graham Womack is a freelance writer based in Sacramento . His work has appeared in a variety of publications , including the San Francisco Chronicle , The Sacramento Bee , and Sacramento News & Review . On Twitter @ grahamdude .
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