Hard Rock Sacramento Readying for Expansion That Could Run $4 Billion

Posted on: April 21, 2025, 08:31h. 

Last updated on: April 21, 2025, 09:52h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento is set for another expansion
  • The tribal casino is planning an entertainment and sports district south of the resort
  • Hard Rock Sacramento is a partnership between the Enterprise Rancheria and the Seminole Tribe of Florida

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, roughly 30 miles north of the California capital city, is set for an immense expansion that officials with the tribal property say will “transform the entire region.”

Hard Rock Sacramento California casino
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento is seen in March 2025. Hard Rock and Enterprise Rancheria are planning a significant expansion of the resort that could run as much as $4 billion. (Image: X)

Owned by the Enterprise Rancheria of Estom Yumeka Maidu and operated by Hard Rock through a management agreement with the federally recognized tribe, the partners recently announced plans to greatly expand the offerings at the Wheaton, Calif. integrated resort that opened in 2019 and underwent a $75 million expansion in 2022.

Hard Rock and Enterprise Rancheria’s next play in Yuba County is to acquire the roughly 350 acres of undeveloped land that sits between the casino resort and the Toyota Amphitheater along Forty Mile Road. The plan is to take advantage of the property’s designation as a sports and entertainment zone through an investment that’s expected to range between $2 billion to $4 billion.

Hard Rock Sacramento Project Details 

Last November, the Enterprise Rancheria agreed to purchase the 350 acres. With Hard Rock’s help, the Hard Rock Sacramento partners plan to construct an entertainment and sports district.

The first phase includes a retail and dining promenade with various features like dancing fountains, immersive indoor-outdoor concepts, live music, and walking paths. The second phase centers on sports with indoor and outdoor facilities, a water park, additional hotels, and possibly a college or pro-worthy sports stadium. The final phase will emphasize agriculture with space for farm shows and educational initiatives tied to livestock.

The three phases could take a decade to build. Construction is planned to begin in early 2026. Unlike the Hard Rock Sacramento casino and resort, the sports and entertainment district will operate as a commercial entity, and therefore, pay regular sales and property taxes to the state and county.

“It will bring thousands of jobs and enhance the quality of life for existing residents by increasing local dining, entertainment, and retail options,” said District 4 Yuba County Supervisor Gary Bradford. “In addition, it will increase tax revenue and attract millions of people to Yuba County to visit the destination.”

Standing Out Amid Crowded Competition

Casinos in California are limited to tribal lands, which allow the state’s many federally recognized Native American communities to prosper. California casinos bring in around $20 billion annually in revenue and support roughly 185K jobs.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) says 62 tribes in California operate 65 casinos. With favorable tax rates through their Class III gaming compacts, the tribes can reinvest in their facilities. The Enterprise Rancheria, however, is embarking on a unique project that will ideally stand out in California’s crowded tribal gaming industry.

We’re not just talking about growing a casino. This is a long-term master plan that will transform the entire region,” said Hard Rock Sacramento President Mark Birtha.

Birtha said the $2 billion to $4 billion undertaking will be “an unprecedented expansion of lifestyle, sports, and entertainment amenities.”

The current Hard Rock Sacramento casino floor has 1,400 slot machines and 50 live dealer table games. The onsite hotel has 169 guestrooms.