Page 5 - August 2003 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Fantasy Springs Breaks Ground on New Hotel-Convention Center and Casino Expansion
In July, Fantasy Springs Casino broke ground on a $145 million resort including a 12-story, 250-room hotel and a 97,000 square foot conference and convention center, and a $23 million casino expansion, the casino’s rst since October 2000.
The expansion will include a new 15,000-square-foot, 750-seat bingo hall building with separate smoking and non-smoking areas, a renovation of the existing bingo space to accommodate 1,956 slots, a new area designed exclusively for poker, a remodel of the Triple Crown Room for off-track satellite horse wagering, and a new casino bar area designed for sports and event viewing. The new casino expansion is expected to open in December 2003, with the new resort development set to open New Year’s Eve 2004. Fantasy Springs Casino is an economic development of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. The tribe is the rst in the state and the second in the nation to utilize a tax-exempt conduit bond issue to fund the expansion of its enterprises.
Barona Valley Ranch and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Launch Inaugural Celebrity Chapeau Auction—StTars of Seabiscuit and NFL Headline
The recent ground breaking for Fantasy Springs Casino’s expansion included (from left to right) Cabazon Tribal Elder Joe Benitez, 2002 Employee of the Year Diana Monroy, Cabazon COO Duff Wenz, Fantasy Springs Assistant GM Lisa Roehm, 2001 Employee of the Year Wanda Dunson, Fantasy Springs GM Joe DeRosa, Cabazon CEO Mark Nichols, Fantasy Springs Bingo Manager Tony Amato, Cabazon Tribal Chairman John James and Cabazon First Vice Chairman Charles Welmas.
he Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (dmtc) and Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, the largest sponsor of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, launched the Inaugural Celebrity Chapeau Auction on July 16 at Del Mar. More than two
dozen “A” list celebrities lent their creative talents to design signature hats for the auction and the designs were unveiled at an “Opening Day Hat Fashion Preview” to be held at dmtc. A 64-year old tradition, the dmtc’s summer racing season has attracted hundreds of Hollywood legends. The Celebrity Chapeau Auction is the newest tradition combining the best of Del Mar, old and new. The chapeaux will be on display at dmtc during the racing season, which runs from July 23 through September 10. Visitors will have an opportunity to bid on the hats on www.eBay.com, and proceeds will benefit charities designated by the celebrity designers.
The star-studded event included Tobey Maguire, star of Seabiscuit and Spider-man; Chris Cooper, Academy Award® winner and star of Seabiscuit; Annette Bening, Academy Clifford LaChappa, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and Joe Award® nominee and San Diego native; Junior Seau, Miami Dolphin; Paul Rodriguez,
Harper, President of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, pictured with models wearing several celebrity hats part of the Inaugural Celebrity Chapeau Auction.
Pala Casino Resort and Spa Opens August 19th
The four-star Pala Casino Resort and Spa will celebrate its grand opening on August 19th. The new Pala resort features a 10,000 square
foot full-service spa and salon, with a fitness center, 14 treatment rooms, including couples spa suites, a complete salon and boutique, and an Olympic- size pool with private poolside cabanas. The new 10-story hotel tower features 507 rooms and suites, plus two new theaters, one a 2,000-seat outdoor concert venue, the Palomar Starlight Theater with headlining entertainment! Located in northern San Diego County, Pala Casino Resort and Spa is owned
actor and comedian; Vivica A. Fox, actress; and San Diego Chargers Drew Brees, Ladainian Tomlinson, and Doug Flutie.
Celebrate Golden Acorn Casino’s Second Anniversary!
Since August 15, 2001 the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians has welcomed visitors from all over the world at Golden Acorn
Casino & Travel Center in East San Diego
County. Golden Acorn is inviting the public to
celebrate their second birthday this August with
promotions, tournaments, specials and entertainment.
Gaming contests “Spin the Wheel,” “Strike it Gold” and the “Golden Anniversary Cash Cube” offer visitors chances to win fabulous prize money. (See Promotions on page 21). On August 15th enjoy a special anniversary concert with Native American comedian Drew Lacapa and War (see details in Entertainment on page 16).
More Gaming News on Page 20
by the Pala Band of Mission Indians.
August 2003 Page 5
Southern California Gaming News