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Casino Morongo
Indian Gaming
by Mark Van Norman
 More
than one million patrons per year pass through Casino Morongo’s dramatic
entrance framed by a waterfall with thousands of gallons of water washing
over a cascade of giant boulders that rest in graceful desert landscape.
Located on the Morongo Indian Reservation, just east of Banning, California
and twenty minutes west of Palm Springs, the casino is one of the state’s
oldest and most popular gaming destinations.
Although just a modest bingo hall in 1983, today more than 4,000 daily
visitors take heed of Casino Morongo’s theme “It Pays to Play.”
There is still a bingo hall, but now visitors are impressed by the 100,000
square feet of gaming activity. The Morongo tribe was the first in California,
following the passage of Proposition 1A, to offer 2,000 slot machines.
In addition to the slots, which offer more than eighty different styles
of games, there is a card room offering forty-six tables of Blackjack,
Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Mini-Baccarat and Three-Card Poker.
There are an additional thirteen poker tables for patrons to play Poker,
Texas Hold’Em, Four-Card and Five-Card Omaha, Omaha Hi/Low Split,
Seven Card Stud, and Seven-Card Hi/Low Split Stud.
Casino games aren’t the only form of entertainment at Casino Morongo.
The casino also hosts concerts, professional boxing, and other exciting
events at its entertainment center. Hungry patrons flock to Cafe Serrano,
Casino Morongo’s award-winning restaurant. Casual and comfortable,
Cafe Serrano serves such favorites as slow roasted prime rib, seafood
and gourmet salads. The restaurant features a wine list and cocktail service
is available for both the dining room and the cabaret lounge. For those
patrons looking for fast, fresh food, the West End Cafe offers an oriental
buffet, burgers, and sandwiches.
Casino Morongo not only offers its patrons state-of-the-art gaming, it
is also providing economic stability to the surrounding community and
empowering tribal members to continue on the path to self-reliance. With
more than 1,500 Indian and non-Indian employees, the Morongo tribe is
proud to be the largest private sector employer in the Banning-Beaumont
region and a major contributor to the Riverside-San Bernardino economy.
Not all jobs are in gaming. In fact, the Morongo tribe recently announced
a partnership with The Perrier Group of America to build a 388,000 square
foot water-bottling facility on the reservation. This facility will create
300 new jobs with 1,800 additional spin-off jobs anticipated. Construction
is already underway.
The tribe has also been active in economic diversification with the construction
and operation of a Shell gas station and convenience center, the Coco’s
and A&W restaurants, and the acquisition of Hadley’s Fruit Orchards’
retail and direct mail operations.
The Morongo tribe began offering gaming in 1983 and, as a result of its
gaming revenues, has eliminated welfare from their reservation and become
economically self-sufficient. Casino Morongo is also a leader in community
service. It was the first tribe in the country to respond to the attacks
of September 11 by underwriting relief efforts by the American Red Cross.
It also hosts an impressive annual Thanksgiving outreach program that
feeds thousands—not only through local community groups but also
in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The tribe and casino shares hundreds
of thousands of dollars annually with the community through donations
and support of non-profit organizations and charities.
The gaming facility, which is wheelchair accessible, offers free parking
for cars, trucks and recreational vehicles. Valet parking is also available.
Those interested in more information can call 1-800-252-4499 or visit
www.casinomorongo.com.
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