Hard Rock Tejon: $600M Casino Aiming to Eclipse Vegas Classics

A massive tribal casino will open its doors on November 13, 2025, promising to reshape gambling and entertainment in Kern County. The Hard Rock Casino Tejon — a $600 million development owned by the Tejon Indian Tribe and managed by Hard Rock International — sits on tribal lands in Mettler, just south of Bakersfield at the base of the Grapevine near the 5 Freeway. The project will be the first full-scale casino in Kern County.

What players will find inside: big gaming, big amenities

The property’s gaming floor stretches about 150,000 square feet, a footprint that rivals Las Vegas megaresorts such as MGM Grand, Bellagio, Aria, and Mandalay Bay. The casino will feature more than 2,000 slot machines, live table games including blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, and three-card poker, plus rooms reserved for exclusive games and high-limit play. Beyond gaming, the site includes a tribal government center, a medical facility, and housing for tribe members, making it a mixed-use hub for the community.

Tribal recognition, jobs, and long-term impact

The Tejon tribe’s road to this moment was long. After being left off federal rolls for decades, the tribe won federal recognition in 2011 under the Obama administration, which opened the door to economic development talks. Chairman Octavio Escobedo III called the opening “a celebration of our Tribe’s heritage and resilience,” and highlighted the project’s local impact: thousands of construction jobs during build-out and roughly 1,000 permanent positions when the casino opens.

Hard Rock’s bet and the broader gambling landscape

Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO at Seminole Gaming, said the new Tejon property will “set a new standard for entertainment in the region.” The opening comes as Hard Rock pursues other major projects nationwide, including a contested bid in New York where it competes with operators like MGM Resorts International. At the same time, California’s tribal gaming landscape remains politically charged — state officials and neighboring tribes have sparred with the federal government over other proposed projects, and a sprawling Sonoma County casino was halted by a judge last month after objections from local tribes and state leaders.

Hard Rock brand, online offers, and player support

Hard Rock’s casino brand also has an online presence and a suite of player services tied to its larger operations. Online and on-site payment options typically include ACH, bank wire transfer, MasterCard, Neteller, PayNearMe, PayPal, Visa, and echeck. The platform supports USD and lists software partners such as AGS, IGT, NetEnt, Konami, Playtech, Red Tiger Gaming, SG Gaming (Scientific Games), and Williams Interactive (WMS), among others. Hard Rock’s standard welcome offer, for example, is a 100% match up to $1,000 plus 50 free spins (minimum deposit $20, 15x wagering). For help, players can use live chat or email support@hardrockcasino.com. Learn more about the brand and online services at /casinos/hard-rock-casino.

Responsible play and local safeguards

Hard Rock Casino Tejon will operate under tribal governance and applicable state and federal regulations. As with any real-money play, this is entertainment with risk — there are no guarantees of winning. The property and online platforms offer responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion. If you or someone you know needs help, see resources at /responsible-gambling.

Hard Rock Casino Tejon represents a major investment in the Central Valley, blending a Las Vegas-scale gaming floor with tribal services and long-term economic goals. The property’s November 13 opening will be watched closely by players, local officials, and competing gaming operators across the country.