Yaamava Marks 40 Years Since Opening as a Tribal Bingo Hall

HIGHLAND, Calif.: Yaamava’ Resort & Casino marked 40 years since opening as San Manuel Indian Bingo on July 24, 1986. The milestone traces the property’s growth from a regional bingo hall into a major tribal casino, hotel and entertainment resort.

The Highland property is marking the anniversary with concerts, dining events and an 1980s-themed prize program. The centerpiece is a 1987 Buick GNX with 71 miles, one of 547 examples of the performance car produced.

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Anniversary Events Draw on the Property’s 1986 Opening

Yaamava’ scheduled Snoop Dogg to perform at its theater on the anniversary date, following July appearances by Eric Church, Imagine Dragons and Christina Aguilera. The resort has also introduced decorations, drinks and dining experiences based on the decade in which the original bingo operation opened.

The Pines Modern Steakhouse is offering a six-course dinner developed by chef Paul Liebrandt and Master Sommelier João Pires through the end of August. The menu draws from Collection 86, the property’s selection of rare wines and spirits named for its opening year.

The anniversary follows an earlier partnership with Paramount Pictures tied to the 40th anniversary of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” That promotion included a replica of the 1986 sports car featured in the film.

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation presents the anniversary as a tribal gaming milestone, with the original bingo hall serving as the starting point for broader economic development, government services and community investment.

Bingo Hall Developed into a Full Casino

San Manuel Indian Bingo expanded into a 100,000-square-foot casino in 1994, adding slot machines and card games. The property continued adding gaming space, restaurants and other amenities as tribal gaming developed across California.

A $760 million expansion began in 2018 and substantially changed the scale of the destination. Its first phase added more than 1,500 slot machines, another high-limit room, retail space, bars and restaurants.

The casino adopted the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino name in 2021 as the expansion moved beyond gaming. A 17-story hotel tower with 432 rooms opened that December, completing the property’s transition into an overnight resort.

Yaamava’ Theater followed in April 2022, opening with a private performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The 2,800-seat venue gave the resort a permanent space for touring musicians and other live entertainment.

Anniversary Reflects Wider Tribal Gaming Growth

The resort is owned and operated by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation through the San Manuel Entertainment Authority. Revenue from the gaming enterprise supports tribal government operations, infrastructure, social programs and economic development.

The Nation has since expanded its gaming interests beyond California, including its ownership of Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Yaamava’s 40th anniversary therefore marks more than the completion of a promotional calendar, reflecting the development of a bingo operation into a broader tribal hospitality and gaming portfolio.

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