Press / Media Contact:
Salvador Rivera
Communications Manager
(619) 445-6002 x-1129
srivera@sycuan.com
SYCUAN’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY EXTRAVAGANZA
Cars, Cash and Cool Prizes Given Away; Tony Gwynn Makes Special Appearance on Saturday, November 22nd
EL CAJON, CA (Friday, November 21, 2008) – As a way to say thank you for 25 wonderful years of support, Sycuan Casino held the largest bash San Diego has seen in a long time.
"It was Sycuan Casino's biggest day ever. We have scheduled a full day of promotions and thousands of giveaways to keep the excitement level high, during our Silver Anniversary Extravaganza. In fact, we went overboard with activities as a way to say "thanks" to our many loyal guests who've contributed to our success," said Michael Tabor, Director of Marketing for Sycuan Casino.
More than $25,000 in cash and prizes was handed out to lucky players.
Throughout the day, the Bingo Hall paid out $250,000 and gave away a brand new B.M.W. The Poker room hosted a $10,000 added Texas Hold’em tournament.
At 6 p.m., baseball hall of famer Tony Gwynn and Sycuan Chairman Daniel Tucker gave away a brand new Ford Mustang to Linda Brown, a 25-year, day one casino team member who has never missed a day of work or called in sick. One lucky patron also drove away in a brand new silver Cadillac Escalade.
All kinds of free party favors will be passed out to players – including mugs, T-shirts, party hats and mardi gras beads.
Other festivities included Bird Singers and dancers, the cutting of a giant anniversary cake and anniversary cupcakes were passed out to casino guests. It was Sycuan’s biggest day ever.
WHAT WERE YOU DOING 25 YEARS AGO?
Sycuan Casino Was Pioneering The Indian Gaming Industry in California
El Cajon , CA (Friday, November 14, 2008) – In November of 1983, the people of Sycuan took the biggest gamble in their hallowed history. And 25 years later, it’s obvious they have beaten the odds, as Sycuan Casino has evolved into one of the most successful gaming operations in the country.
"We are grateful for San Diego’s support over the years; we want to thank everyone who has been instrumental in our endeavors during the last quarter century," said Daniel Tucker, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
The casino’s success has allowed Sycuan to donate millions and millions of dollars to local charities and non-profits. The casino has also become one of the largest employers in San Diego County and a vital component to the region’s economy.
To commemorate this incredible milestone, Sycuan Casino held an amazing celebration. It took place on Saturday, November 15 th at the Manchester Grand Hyatt at 7 p.m. Local, State and Federal lawmakers attended the function. Other prominent San Diegans, along with Sycuan Tribal Members and Sycuan Casino team members also particpated.
Music superstar Lionel Richie was part of the celebration. The Grammy and Academy Award winner performed during the night’s festivities. When the casino first opened 25 years ago, Richie’s "All Night Long" was the number one song in the country.
PINK RIBBON TOUR COMES TO SYCUAN
Pink Fire Engine Arrives Here To Raise Breast Cancer Awareness
EL CAJON , CA (Wednesday, October 22, 2008) – It’s a lot larger than a pink Cadillac, and it certainly draws more attention. It’s a pink fire truck cruising all over the country raising breast cancer awareness. On Thursday, October 23 rd, at 3 p.m. It stopped at Sycuan Casino.
The truck is operated and maintained by the “Guardians of the Ribbon,” a group of firefighters, police officers and community leaders. Their goal is to get men to understand and embrace women who are battling breast cancer.
Their pink fire truck is the center piece of the “Cares Enough to Wear Pink” campaign, which encourages people to wear pink as a show of support for those afflicted with breast cancer.
The nationwide tour started on August 24 th in Arizona. It has traveled through Texas, Florida, the Atlantic Coast, New York, Midwest and Northern California. The stop at Sycuan was its 35 th and final destination.
At each stop, people were given the opportunity to sign the pink truck in honor of a breast cancer survivor and/or victim. By now, the truck is covered with thousands of signatures.
Boxing Superstar to Visit Sycuan Casino
Manny Pacquiao Co-Promoting Fight Night at Sycuan Casino
Manny Pacquiao Visits Sycuan CasinoEL CAJON , CA (Wednesday, September 24, 2008) - Manny Pacquiao, the five-time world champion and current lightweight title holder was here on Thursday, September 25th, at 7:30 p.m. Pacquiao brought a team of talented professional Filipino boxers to Sycuan, to take on a squad from Mexico.
"We are thrilled Manny chose Sycuan Casino as the venue for his first boxing promotion outside the Philippines," said Scott Woodworth, President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions.
Six fights were on the card. The main event was a 10-round brawl featuring Mexico’s Super Bantamweight Champion, Giovanni Caro. He took on Filipino sensation, Bernabe Concepcion who is 24-1, with 15 knockouts.
Pacquiao’s visit to Sycuan Casino was his last public appearance before his scheduled fight against Oscar De LaHoya in Las Vegas on December 6th, 2008.
Boxing Superstar Manny Pacquiao Visits Sycuan Casino
Manny Pacquiao Visits Sycuan CasinoEL CAJON , CA (Tuesday, September 23, 2008) – Manny Pacquiao visited Sycuan Casino and answered all questions regarding his career, his new role as boxing promoter and Fight Night at Sycuan, which took place on Thursday, September 25th at 7:30 p.m. Pacquiao also discussed his mega-fight with Oscar De La Hoya.
Pacquiao and his company, MP Promotions, were here to co-promote Thursday night’s Fight Night at Sycuan, along with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Sycuan Casino.
The main event featured one of the most exciting young boxers in the sport, Bernabe Concepcion from the Philippines. He fought Mexico’s Super bantamweight champion, Giovanni Caro in the 10-round main event.
One of the other bouts featured Brian Viloria of Hawaii. He was a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Boxing team and is a former WBC world light flyweight champion. Viloria is of Filipino ancestry.
Thursday’s fight card featured Filipino boxers like Concepcion and Viloria, who are being promoted by Pacquiao. The group took on a talented squad of Mexican fighters including Caro and Tijuana’s Alain Hernández.
THREE PLAYERS HIT JACKPOT ON BACK TO BACK TO BACK SPIN
Each Player Walked Away With $10,000!!!
EL CAJON , CA (Tuesday, September 16, 2008) – Just when you think you’ve seen it all in a casino, the improbable happens. On Monday, September 15, 2008, three people hit the big jackpot on consecutive spins during the King’s Ransom promotion at Sycuan Casino.
The players had been selected to spin the “Great Cash Wheel.” The first one hit the grand prize of $10,000. The second player stepped up, spun the wheel, and hit the grand prize too. Could it happen three times in a row? It did. The third player nailed the big money and it was pandemonium in the casino.
"It was amazing, it was so wonderful to see the people so happy," said Kimy Potter, Sycuan Casino’s Promotions Manager.
More than $100,000 in cash and prizes will be given away during the King’s Ransom promotion.
Sycuan Casino Bingo Player Gayle Peluso Won 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid
EL CAJON, CA (Thursday, March 6, 2008) – Sycuan Casino is pleased to announce that Gayle Peluso was the lucky winner of a beautiful green, fuel-efficient 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid on March 4 in Sycuan Casino’s Blingo Bingo Car Giveaway promotion. Entry tickets for the Blingo Bingo Car Giveaway drawing could be earned by any Bingo player who purchased Bingo products at Bingo sessions held January 19 through March 4. Peluso was especially excited about the hybrid’s fuel efficiency and voice-activated navigation features. Jokingly, Peluso said, “My husband will have to sit in the backseat since he came to the Blingo Bingo drawings only as a favor to me.” Both husband and wife were eager to drive away in their new Toyota Prius.
Looking to provide a smoke-free gaming environment option for its customers and wanting to stay a step ahead of its competition, Sycuan Casino opened a smoke-free, full-featured boutique casino within its main casino on Monday, January 7, 2008 . Complete with a separate non-smoking entrance, the smoke-free boutique casino will be alive with 550 state-of-the-art slot machines, 9 table games and a 23-table poker room all complemented with a gift shop, cashier’s cage, ATM machines and restrooms. The smoke-free area is completely sealed off from the rest of the Casino with heavy glass doors.
The Sycuan Tribal Government operates the region's premier Indian gaming and resort facilities, the Sycuan Casino and Sycuan Resort. Sycuan demonstrates its strong commitment to the San Diego region through its support of civic and charitable organizations. The Tribe, through the Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation (STDC), also seeks to reinvest back into the community with a progressive business development effort. To date, STDC has purchased Singing Hills Country Club and the historic U.S. GRANT HOTEL, is an investor in Hotel Solamar near Petco Park , and is owner/developer of the Marina Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in National City . The Tribe also owns and operates Sycuan Ringside Promotions, the country’s first tribally owned boxing promotion company. Sycuan Funds is a publicly traded and professionally managed mutual fund. Combined, these enterprises now employ nearly 4,000 San Diegans.
Play Smoke Free at Sycuan Casino
EL CAJON, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) –Looking to provide a smoke-free gaming environment option for its customers and wanting to stay a step ahead of its competition, Sycuan Casino opened a smoke-free, full-featured boutique casino within its main casino on Monday, January 7, 2008. Complete with a separate non-smoking entrance, the smoke-free boutique casino is alive with 550 state-of-the-art slot machines, nine table games and a 23-table poker room all complemented with a gift shop, cashier’s cage, ATM machines and restrooms. The smoke-free area is completely sealed off from the rest of the Casino with heavy glass doors.
"In a 2004 survey conducted by the California Adult Tobacco Service, ‘nine out of ten Californians (91 percent) said they would be more likely to visit tribal casinos, or would change patronage, if smoking were prohibited,’” said Steve Penhall, General Manager of Sycuan Resort and Casino. “With the opening of our smoke-free boutique casino, we believe that Sycuan Casino will be unparalleled in providing a truly smoke-free gambling area that offers the greatest variety of exciting gaming opportunities and customer services."
Sycuan Wins BBB 2007 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
Sycuan Casino team members who attended the December 4, 2007, BBB Torch Awards Luncheon were, front row, left to right: Abby Rojas, Steve Penhall, Mary Meier, Walter Watts, and back row: Anita Bye, Mary Green and Josh Carley.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of San Diego announced the winners of the 2007 Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics at a luncheon held on December 4 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Mission Valley. One of eight winners, Sycuan Casino won the award for the category of “for-profit with over 500 team members."
Now in its tenth year, the annual Torch Awards honor outstanding local for-profit companies and non-profit charitable organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to ethical business practices, both in operations and in terms of being ethical, reliable and responsive to team members, vendors and customers.
"The Torch Awards is the way San Diego annually rewards and celebrates ethical business practices in our marketplace," said Sheryl Bilbrey, San Diego BBB president and chief executive officer. “Each honoree exemplifies that adhering to a fair and honorable marketplace gives a company a competitive advantage, and that BBB ethical standards are the hallmark of a successful, competitive company. The Torch Awards program is designed to promote not only the importance of ethical business practices, but the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honorable."
"We are so proud to be acknowledged for the commitment that Sycuan has always made to ensuring the well being of its team members by providing values and guidelines for our everyday workplace behavior, which also extend to Sycuan’s business practices relating to our customers, vendors, colleagues and neighbors,” said Steve Penhall, General Manager, Sycuan Resort and Casino. “Trust, integrity, ethics and honesty are values whole-heartedly embraced by the Sycuan family. We believe strongly that people want to work for and do business with companies they can trust."
Members of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation have resided in and around the foothills of the Dehesa Valley for nearly 12,000 years. Today they are a modern government providing public services to their members, team members and neighbors. The Sycuan Tribal Government operates two of the region’s premier Indian gaming and resort facilities, Sycuan Casino and Sycuan Resort. The Sycuan Tribe demonstrates its strong commitment to the San Diego region through its support of civic and charitable organizations. The Tribe, through the Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation (STDC), also seeks to reinvest back into the San Diego community with a progressive business development effort. To date, STDC has purchased Singing Hills Country Club and the historic U.S. GRANT HOTEL, is an investor in Hotel Solamar near Petco Park , and is owner/developer of the Marina Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in National City . The Tribe also owns and operates Sycuan Ringside Promotions, the country’s first tribally owned boxing promotion company and Sycuan Funds, a publicly traded and professionally managed mutual fund. Combined, these enterprises now employ nearly 4,000 San Diegans.