Excitement is building in Kern County as the Hard Rock Tejon Casino prepares to open its doors in less than a week. The anticipation reached new heights with the unveiling of the resort’s towering guitar sign, a symbol of the Hard Rock brand, accompanied by a ceremonial blessing from the Tejon Tribe.
The blessing, performed by tribal members, was dedicated not only to future visitors but also to the workers who spent months constructing the massive landmark. The guitar itself is a feat of engineering: weighing more than 19,000 pounds, standing 57 feet tall, and requiring 78 days and over 4,000 hours of labor to complete.
Chris Kelley, a representative involved in the project, reflected on the moment with a mix of awe and humor. “It feels a little weird. It feels like there’s something really big behind me. Is it just me?” he said, before emphasizing the deeper meaning of the milestone. “It’s an extraordinary achievement. It’s a huge milestone for the tribe that has been walking this journey for generations.”
Challenges & Economic Aspirations
For the Tejon Tribe, the casino represents the culmination of nearly a decade of effort. Tribal Chairman Octavio Escobedo recalled that the tribe first approached Hard Rock International in 2016, following a failed partnership with Station Casinos. “Challenges along the way for sure, but there was never a doubt in my mind that we weren’t going to achieve this,” Escobedo said, underscoring the determination that carried the project forward.
Beyond its cultural significance, the casino is expected to deliver a significant economic impact to the region. Bakersfield, located about 30 minutes away, is among the communities projected to benefit from increased tourism and job creation. Richard Chapman, president of the Kern Economic Development Corporation, described the project as “a game changer” and “a regional economic engine,” estimating that the venue could attract as many as two million visitors annually.
Hard Rock Tejon Casino Details
Hard Rock Tejon Casino will feature a massive 150,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 2,000 slot machines and more than 50 table games, making it one of California’s premier destinations for casino entertainment.
- Slot Machines: Over 2,000 machines, including popular titles, video poker, and video keno
- Table Games: More than 50 tables, offering: Blackjack, Baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and Mississippi Stud
- Video Poker: Dedicated areas for poker enthusiasts
- Class III Casino: Will be the second closest Class III casino to Los Angeles, located just under an hour away
California Casinos
Despite the lack of commercial casinos, roughly 87 tribal casinos are operating in California. While tribal gaming is restricted to the reservations, numerous online California gambling options include casinos, sportsbooks, poker, bingo, and more.
Popular online casino options include immersive slot libraries, multiple variations of blackjack, roulette, and poker, as well as casino staples like baccarat and specialty games (Keno, bingo). Some offshore casino sites also offer live dealer casino games where you can take a seat at the table and interact with a live dealer.
There are currently no state or federal gambling laws that deem online gambling as an illegal activity. In fact, online casinos are available in every US state from sites that are licensed and operating from outside of the United States.