The property is the latest to join a trend that has seized gaming establishments from Macau to the United States with operators doting on their casino workers despite what is still a challenging operations environment.

Doing Right by “Team Members”

The sum allocated to Eagle Mountain Casino workers is not a surprise, as casinos have realized that they need to do right by their staff or face debilitating shortages and lack of expertise to service gaming floors when things pick back up.

As to the $300,000 allocated, it was a part of a program that began on Thanksgiving and lasted through Christmas. Workers received all sorts of gifts, including up to $350 Visa pre-paid cards, and team members were also granted $50 gift certificates to Porterville’s Town Country grocery store.

The property hosted the “Nightmare before Christmas” and a “Festive Sweater Contest” which had team members vie for a number of additional perks, such as 50” TV sets, laptops, Apple Air Pods, tablets, $1,000 Visa cards, and more.

Commenting on this development, Eagle Mountain Casino general manager Matthew Mingrone said that more than 620 team members. “Team members” is the operational word, Mingrone explained and elaborated:

And it’s because of how the Tule River Tribe treats us as people, not as numbers, not as staff, but as people.

Eagle Mountain Casino general manager Matthew Mingrone

New and Overhauled Property Coming in 2023

The Eagle Mountain Casino has been in the news since 2022. The property won the “Large Business of the Year” award last year, awarded by the Porterville Chamber of Commerce. The casino is now planning to open a new, expanded venue that will sprawl over 100,000 feet and feature 1,750 slot machines, 20 table games, and many dining options.

Medium and large businesses in the gaming industry have shown generosity towards their team members. Wynn Macau and Sands China have both offered sizable payments to their thousand-strong workforce, both due later in January.