Palace Indian Gaming Center Positively Influences Local Economy

Nearly a year after its opening, the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore, California, continues to enjoy enormous success. According to General Manager Adam Gonzales, on any given weekday, some 6,000 visitors go to the Palace to try their luck at bingo, table games, slots, or poker, or to enjoy a fine meal at one of the casino's great dining choices. On weekends, the crowds swell even more, sometimes reaching 9,000 to 11,000 guests.

The Palace success story is great news for the local economy. That's because hundreds of small businesses in Lemoore, Hanford, and the surrounding communities have benefited from increased sales derived from their partnership with the new casino. In fact, Accounts Payable Manager Nona Alvey said the Palace does business with almost 1,000 local vendors. She stated, "The Palace can work with large distributors, but it prefers to help small businesses instead." The Palace's thriving relationship with local businesses is evidenced by the vast array of products that are shipped to the new casino. Truckloads of produce, food, meat products, gaming equipment, employee apparel, and cleaning and office supplies arrive daily. "It takes a tremendous amount of inventory to keep a casino like ours running smoothly," said Gonzales.

Most impressive is how the Palace has impacted the local economy through the creation of hundreds of new jobs. Last spring, the Palace employed just over 300 people. After its grand opening in August, however, the workforce leaped to 1,200. Now, more than 1,450 employees are on the payroll. The Palace also teamed up with West Hills College to create the Hospitality Academy on-site. Its unique two-year program offers all employees an opportunity to earn an A.A. degree in hotel, restaurant, and casino management. So far, more than 450 employees have enrolled in some of the courses offered.

The success of the Palace Indian Gaming Center has also benefited nonprofit organizations. During the holidays, the Palace donated more than $80,000 to worthy charities. For the year 2000, the Palace's total contributions exceeded $1.5 million. These contributions included a brand-new fire truck and modern equipment for the City of Hanford Fire Department, which was valued at more than $400,000.

As was the intent of Proposition 1A when it was approved by the voters last March, the casino has had a significant impact on the lives of the Tachi Yokut tribe. Thanks to the new casino, members of Tachi Yokut are now enjoying good housing, educational programs, a medical clinic, a modern day-care facility for preschool children, a center for the elderly, sports activities, and many other benefits. A television commercial, which is now being broadcast, showcases many of the improvements that are now being enjoyed by the Tachi Yokut tribe.

As for the future, the Palace Indian Gaming Center is well-positioned for more growth and development. Its spirit of optimism is conveyed in its "Winning is Just Beginning" advertising campaign that was launched in January. The campaign combines print, radio, and television in both English and Spanish to reach new customers. The promotion showcases the casino's added gaming attractions, like the newly opened table games division, which offers customers poker, pai gow, and blackjack. The slots division has added roulette and craps video slots, and the bingo division is as popular as ever with its low buy-ins and high payouts. In fact, an average of 900 loyal customers play bingo every night.

Meanwhile, eating continues to be a fun experience at the Palace, which features many great choices, starting with the Cuisines of the World Buffet. It offers customers a value-packed lunch for $4.99. The Quail Plume Buffet in the new casino offers a great array of meats, pastas, fresh fruits and vegetables, and desserts. Lunch is $6.99 and dinner is $9.99 – and it's all-you-can-eat. There's also the Sierra Grille, located on the third floor, which offers fine-dining selections like prime rib and 7-pound Maine lobster. The Sierra Grille has expanded its hours and is now serving lunch. Outside in the Coyote Grille, the kitchen team prepares a great tri-tip, Cajun chicken, and 100 pecent Harris beef hot dogs.

On the entertainment front this summer, the Palace is presenting a variety of concerts and special events. Scheduled to perform are B.B. King on Aug. 9, Rita Coolidge on Aug. 26, Willie Nelson on Aug. 30, and Kenny Rogers on Sept. 28. Following the huge success of the Montell Griffin fight in May, championship boxing also will return Sept. 6.

There's a lot to do at the Palace this summer, and it's easy to get there. From Fresno, head south on Highway 41 and turn left on Jersey Avenue. From the South Valley, take Highway 198 west to Avenue 18 in Lemoore, and turn south to Jersey Avenue. The Palace transportation department offers free shuttle service from various destinations. Call the casino to get a complete schedule. When visiting for the first time, guests are invited to stop at the Palace hospitality kiosk in the new casino and sign up for the Palace Club, which rewards customers with gaming points that can be redeemed for great prizes.

All in all, the Palace Indian Gaming Center's new casino has had a great impact on the local economy, but as its new advertising slogan suggests, there's much more to come – "The Winning is Just Beginning."