New Casino Proposed for Sacramento’s Historic Elks Tower

The 14-floor historic Elks Tower located in downtown Sacramento, California might soon be turned into a casino if the plans proposed by a local businessman gains the necessary approval from the council.

Steve Ayers who previously owned Armour Steel, which closed earlier this year, has proposed developing a three-storied casino and lounge spread over 8,000 sq ft. within the Elks tower.

The proposed casino facility will also have a restaurant, a lounge, a bar, and also a port and chocolate area and a spirits library.

The spirits library will offer patrons the unique experience of ordering vintage beverages that will be purchased in auctions.

KCRA News

In a statement, Ayers said,

This is going to be a unique, elegant place, a destination for people to go to 24 hours a day

Ayers has as a team of financial investors who are interested in the project but the businessman has preferred to keep his partners confidential for now and while he has not confirmed a precise amount that they will invest in the project, he did state that it would take millions to be completed. He also stated that that project could have its opening within 18 months after receiving necessary approvals.

Ayers said he is in negotiations with the operators of the former Casino Royale which was located in North Sacramento and plans to acquire its casino license. Casino Royale was closed in 2014 by the California Bureau of Gambling Control after being accused of failing to pay customers their winnings. One of the owners William Blanas agreed earlier this year to a fine of $228,980 and payment of $146,020 towards costs of court proceedings and investigation charges.

The City Council has not shown support for having a casino in downtown Sacramento on previous occasions. The Council voted against approving a fifth card room license for a facility inside Downtown Plaza in 2011. Social costs were cited as the key reason for the rejection. Ayers has so far met Mayor Kevin Johnson, various City Council members, representatives from neighbourhood groups and business leaders to assess their response to his idea. He has stated that most have welcomed it and he is positive that it will be a success.

Michael Ault, head of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership has also backed Ayers and said that project is an exciting idea that could be an added reason for people to visit the downtown area. However Ayers will require a conditional-permit to operate his facility and it could take a long time for all the approvals to come through.

Adrian Sterne

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