Donovan H.
Yelp
For those of you wondering, I am not much of a casino person nor have I engaged in much gambling during my adult life. However, my late mother loved going to casinos as she went any chance she could. Going back to this casino, ever since this place made its debut back in the summer of 2022, I figure why not give it a try and see what it has to offer. This is none other than "Sky River Casino" which happens to be the very first casino to be build in the County of Sacramento; the other close casinos are "Thunder Valley" in Placer County, "Cache Creek" in Yolo County, "Jackson Rancheria" in Amador County, and "Redhawk Casino" in El Dorado County.
Located in Elk Grove and directly to the right of Highway 99 and just north of Grant Line Rd., this casino is situated at the same site where the proposed (and now ill-fated) "Lent Ranch Mall" was supposed to be built in the mid-2000's. This undeveloped land sat for nearly 15 years before Sky River Casino was built. As far as the exterior layout, the parking lot is spacious but at the same time, quite confusing as there were several raised islands throughout. However, there are enough spots to accommodate thousands of guests as well as a free shuttle that runs 24/7 that drop you off at the main entrance.
As for the interior layout, this building is roughly 100,000 square feet complete with over 2,000 slot machines, 80+ table games, and entertainment throughout. Surprisingly, many people skip the gambling and come for the dining. This is where you have the option of several major restaurants/lounges including "SR Prime Steakhouse", "32 Brews Street", "Dragon Beaux", and "The Humidor". There is also an open food court type area that includes all types of cuisines including Mexican, burgers, pizza, Japanese, Vietnamese, boba, American, and other options that offers coffee, breakfast, and desserts.
As for my food experience, it was average for us as I ate sushi while my lady opted for chicken and brussels sprouts. My sushi was made delicious and set me back $17 for the roll with a self-serve fountain drink. However the chicken my lady had was lukewarm and a little on the drier side. I would recommend going to some of the higher end places for a better dining experience. But the food area was quite spacious as I did not feel cramped in any way.
And as for the overall machines and tables that this place offers, there are a ton of options. Everything that ranges from the 1¢ slots and up as well as several tables that include blackjack, craps, baccarat, and much more. I ended up partaking in the 25¢ digital slot machines where I put in $5 and walked out with $50. So at least I walked out with more than when I came in. The payouts here can vary greatly with high minimums. However, I didn't encounter many cocktail waitresses as nobody approached us in the 30 or so minutes that we were at the machines.
One final thing I wanted to mention is that the lingering smell of cigarette smoke can be overwhelming for many people. This casino does not have a smoke-free area as other casinos do. However, I hope as time goes on that this place will eventually get a dedicated hotel, shopping area, and more nearby entertainment. Since it is a gamble if you come up winning or losing, "Sky River Casino" is a nice addition to this part of Sacramento County. My rating, just an average three stars.