"We know our customers, the residents and businesses of Palm Springs are anxious for the new casino to open because we are all anticipating that it will bring revitalization to the downtown area," says Richard M. Milanovich, tribal council chairman of the locally based Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which owns the casino. "Since our talented operations team is ready, the tribal council is able to accommodate that anticipation," he adds.

Located at 410 E. Amado Rd. here, the casino stands across the street from 230-room Spa Resort. Encompassing more than 130,000 sf, the new property houses 1,000 of the latest slot machines, 30 table games, a high-limit gaming room, a 150-seat nightly entertainment lounge and various restaurants, including the 300-seat Oasis Buffet.

Designed by the Costa Mesa-based firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo, the new casino features textured, cream-colored stucco exterior walls and several rounded turrets topped with varying shades of blue concrete tile. The interior decor, which was created by Dougall Design of Pasadena, fuses together textured fabrics, smooth woods and sconce and chandelier lighting.