Thunder Valley Casino opens to crowds and traffic

As traffic crawled along Highway 65 and onto Industrial Avenue Monday morning, the Thunder Valley Casino patiently awaited its eager clientele.And there was no shortage of curious gamblers. Large crowds stacked up at every entrance to the $215 million casino and bets were taken even before the slated 10 a.m. "soft" opening."The casino's capacity is 8,000," said Tribal spokesperson Doug Elmets. "We let people in after the ribbon cutting at about 20 minutes before 10 a.m. and when the doors opened, it was at capacity. We thought this was going to be a 'soft' opening, but that's obviously not the case."Just before 1 p.m., dozens of people hoping to get their first look at the casino stood anx-iously outside the entrances, temporarily unable to enter the packed facility until it was judged enough people had left so that more could be admitted.Some came to the casino because they couldn't wait to gamble. Others were just looking for something to do."This is a happening, and I go to all the happenings," said Rocklin resident Judy Larsen, who was eating donuts and drinking coffee in the parking lot with her husband. "I want to see what it's all about."It took up to an hour for cars to reach the casino from Highway 65 as traffic backed up as far as the Galleria at Roseville. Once they entered the parking lot, "All I need is a mira-cle," greeted them over the parking lot stereo system. At 11 a.m., Fair Oaks resident and business owner Morgan Nelson received her miracle ? a $20,000 jackpot from a $5 slot machine."I did the maximum bet, $25, and got the $20,000," she said. "I'm going to use it to pay off the rest of my house."Other players weren't as lucky."I've been playing all morning and haven't cashed out yet," said Carmichael resident Judy Hinchey. "These slots are really tight."Hinchey did, however, like the card-in, card-out slot machines. She said she preferred cashing out with a paper receipt rather than a bucket of coins.A retired Air Force officer, William Thompson never smokes cigars, he only chews on them. But on Monday morning he felt especially welcome at a facility that allows smok-ing.Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit brought by the cities of Rocklin and Roseville and Citizens for Safer Communities still awaits possible review by an appellate court.President of CFSC Celia Nunez of Rocklin said she fully intends on following through with the lawsuit and shutting the casino down, despite its opening. She is confident the courts in Washington D.C. will hear the case based only on law and ignore the premature opening."Stations Casinos Inc. and the other entities involved know the risk they are taking," Nunez said. "The stockholders know the lawsuit is pending and know that it could be shut down after the hearing."Attorney for the United Auburn Indian Tribe, Howard Dickstein, said the lawsuit has not been treated with any urgency by the courts."The case has been fully briefed, and ready for hearing, they just haven't scheduled it," Dickstein said. "If you'll remember back in September the city moved for injunction to prevent the casino from opening, and in a short three hours ? the court denied it. This case has been ready for hearing for nine months now, and the court has done nothing."Dickstein said that lightening does strike occasionally, but doesn't expect the casino to face problems offered by a lawsuit once it's opened.The casino, on the other hand, has been welcomed by the city of Lincoln, as well as Placer County. The Tribe has entered into memorandum of understandings (or MOU) with both entities.All functions of the casino will operate under existing county ordinances and environ-mental reviews. Additionally, the facility provides an on-site fire department and com-plies with local and state laws."The tribe set a precedent when they signed into a MOU with the County,"noted Elmets, adding, "They don't have to do that by law. All that they have to do is comply with Fed-eral laws. But they chose to enter into this historical agreement."As Cocktail waitresses dressed in two-piece, black leather outfits roamed the gaming floor with drink trays. They take their drink orders to the Falls Bar, where waterfalls trickle down the windows, plasma TVs show movies and sporting events and a crystal chandelier hangs above gamblers playing video poker.Unlike the Jackson Rancheria and Cache Creek Casino, the Auburn Tribe decided to serve liquor. It does not allow customers in the casino under the age of 21 although many California casinos admit anyone 18 and older. "There is no law that prohibits tribal casinos from serving alcohol," said Scott Smith, attorney for the cities and CFSC. There is a provision between the California government and tribes that compels the tribes to comply with state alcohol and beverage control laws if they choose to serve alcohol. In the past a number of tribes, as a condition of earlier contract negotiations or as matter of tribal law, chose not to serve alcohol. As competitive pressure between casinos increases, they will all move toward selling alcohol."Elmets said Cache Creek plans to serve alcoholic beverages when its renovation is com-plete."They will likely apply for a liquor license as well," he said. "We decided to serve alcohol at Thunder Valley in conjunction with that tribe because it decided to raise the age from 18-21." "This place is great. Reno and Tahoe are in trouble because I think a lot of people from the Sacramento area are going to come here instead," said Antelope resident Frank Dawal.The casino's long-term impact on traffic, businesses the economy and trips by area residents to Tahoe and Reno casinos remains to be seen. "I've been to other Indian casinos, they're nothing like this," said Michael Starr of Roseville while having lunch. "This is very well done and very professional ? just like in Reno or Tahoe."