As Sky River Casino turns 2 years old, here’s what the gaming operation has in store next

Two years have passed since the Sky River Casino in Elk Grove opened.

The casino, owned by Wilton Rancheria in partnership with Boyd Gaming Corporation, is celebrating the anniversary of its official opening on Aug. 15, 2022.

Sky River, just off of Highway 99, near Kammerer and Grant Line roads, has attracted “tens of thousands of visitors annually” to Elk Grove, casino officials said, to get a chance to win.

Sky River officials announced Wednesday their new cocktail lounge, Tequila Barrel, recently rebranded from Upper Barrel, which serves 89 different types of tequila and mezcal. The space at the entrance to The Market at Sky River is open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The casino is celebrating with various promotions, such as providing Sky River Rewards members throughout August a chance to win in its million-dollar “Twice as Nice” promotion in which members have a chance to share cash and prizes with drawings every Saturday; a “2 Cool Gift Giveaway” every Thursday and Friday; and a jackpot bonus with cash prizes for the first 200 rewards members who hit a qualifying slot jackpot of $2,000 or more on Mondays and Fridays.

Throughout its two years, it has awarded nearly $14 million in table games jackpots winnings, the largest of which was a $999,519 jackpot on a Pai Gow Progressive game, a Sky River news release said. Additionally, more than $430 million has been paid from slot machines, the largest win coming as a $120,000 payout on its Double Top Dollar slot station.

The casino includes 100,000 square feet of gaming space, 2,100 slot machines and 80 table games.

Since opening, Sky River has provided more than 1,600 jobs in Elk Grove, casino officials said. It has 18 restaurants, bars, and lounges including SR Prime Steakhouse, Dragon Beaux and 32 Brew Street.

The Humidor, a bourbon and cigar lounge, was the latest to open in February 2024.

In June, casino officials announced expansion plans adding for a 300-room state-of-the-art hotel, a multi-story, 1,600 space parking garage with valet service, expanded gaming space including 400 slot games and VIP, high game rooms, a day spa along with an outdoor pool facility and a new restaurant and bar.

The planned expansions are expected to be completed by the summer of 2027.

Sky River Casino President Michael J. Facenda said in a news release that he’s thrilled to celebrate the second anniversary, not only on Thursday but “during the entire month.”

“(We) welcome the community to enjoy the elevated experiences we have to offer,” Facenda said. “Always evolving and with exciting expansion plans now in play, we offer something special for everyone to enjoy – lively gaming and entertainment, amazing culinary options that are stand-alone dining destinations, along with unique and relaxing environments, too.”

Sky River jockeys for position with other gambling operations in the Sacramento region such as Thunder Valley Casino near Lincoln, for example, which recently opened The Venue, a 4,500-seat entertainment space; Red Hawk Casino outside of Shingle Springs, which recently opened its Apex family entertainment center and hotel; and Cache Creek Casino in western Yolo County, home to a hotel and golf course.

Facenda said in June that thanks to its expansion plans, Sky River Casino is poised to become “California’s ultimate casino destination.”

“Once we have a world-class hotel, event space and other highly desirable amenities, we will offer a destination of appeal to guests who will travel in search of elevated experiences,” Facenda said in June.