$600 Million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Set To Open In California

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon is set to open on November 13, marking a collaboration between the Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International. 

The opening represents the completion of the first phase of the casino project, with a second phase to incorporate additional luxury features by 2027. 

The project, which follows the tribe's federal recognition in 2012, is expected to bring significant benefits to the local community. 

The Tejon Tribe regained federal recognition in 2012 and, in 2021, the Department of the Interior placed 320 acres of land into trust. In 2022, a gaming contract was agreed upon. 

Early Opening

With the backing and experience of Hard Rock International, a $600 million casino plan was expected to be completed in December. 

Coming in ahead of schedule, the two groups are preparing to unveil the new casino, which will be one of California’s biggest casino complexes.

Discussing the early opening, Kern County Supervisor Jeff Flores said, “They’re actually opening sooner than anticipated. We’re so grateful and proud of the Hard Rock and Tejon Tribe for opening. 

"We feed the world, fuel the world and defend the world because of our ag, oil and military presence. We can now add a fourth pillar, which is, we entertain the world.”

Meanwhile, President of the Hard Rock Casino Tejon Chris Kelley said, “The fact that Hard Rock Casino Tejon is ahead of schedule speaks to the commitment of our team, the Tejon Indian Tribe, and the community supporting us every step of the way.”

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The Tejon Casino

The resort hotel is situated just outside Bakersfield, with easy access to Highway 99 and State Route 166. 

It comprises seven different restaurants and bars as well as 150,000 square feet of gaming space. That means the new resort will rival the likes of the MGM Grand and Bellagio in Las Vegas.

It includes 2,500 slots as well as 50 table games, and the whole complex will incorporate traditional tribal elements throughout. 

What’s more, the opening only represents phase one of the planned development. 

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Phase two is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will feature a 400-room hotel, spa, pool, live theater, cigar lounge, six additional restaurants, and an expanded gaming space accommodating 500 more gaming machines. 

The Tejon Tribe and Hard Rock have highlighted the benefits of the new casino to the local area. 

They claim the project will bring a total of nearly 4,000 construction jobs as well as more than 3,500 permanent jobs, with long-term employment of 5,000 expected. 

The casino has also signed a local services agreement, which covers law enforcement, fire protection, and other vital infrastructure services, valued at $200M over the next 20 years. 

Flores described the project as being “the biggest private economic development project in the history of the country.”

The project has been described as a “regional tourism anchor,” with local officials expecting the new hub to draw visitors from surrounding areas, including nearby Bakersfield, as well as from further afield, such as Los Angeles and Fresno.