Though the launch of the Sky River Casino in Elk Grove was scheduled for September, the location opened nearly a month early as the doors were opened at midnight on Tuesday.
The Sacramento County location hired 2,000 people from the area and the business is expected to bring in $125m to the local economy over the next few years.
The location boasts 17 restaurants and bars featuring a steak house and tap room with several offerings of local beers.
Sky River Casino is 300,000 square feet with 100,000 square feet of space dedicated to gaming with 2,000 slot machines and 80 tables. Casino officials are referring to the new location as "Sac Vegas."
Sky River Casino President Chris Jibase commented: "This is a game changer, an entertainment complex like no other."
The casino is also the first tribal gaming casino in Sacramento County.
Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango added: "I think it goes back to the ghost mall, so the residents of Elk Grove remember what this place looked like and so to see what it is now and what it is going to become it truly is a special moment, important to Elk Grove and also my people."
It's expected that a spa and a hotel will be added to the location in the future.
Jibase also said: "When you walk through it’s a very impressive place, it’s a beautiful place that’s been built."
Sky River Casino sits on what was formally the Elk Grove "ghost mall," an abandoned mall on a 64-acre property along Promenade Parkway and Grant Line Road.
