See inside the new Chicken Ranch Casino Resort in Tuolumne County before it opens
Chicken Ranch Casino in Tuolumne County is opening its new nine-story resort Monday, July 15.
Modesto Bee reporters toured the expansion of the existing casino and bingo hall Tuesday, and believe us when we say there’s a lot for visitors to look forward to.
There’s a lot more to come, too. Some amenities still will be under construction by the resort’s soft opening.
Lloyd Mathiesen, chairman of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians of California, looks forward to the expansion attracting visitors from California and beyond to enjoy Tuolumne County.
“Everyone else gets to know and see what we enjoy every day,” Mathiesen said.
Here’s what you need to know about resort rooms, restaurants, parking, the casino and more before you go:
Need-to-know facts about the Chicken Ranch Casino Resort
Smoking and drinking rules
The original Chicken Ranch location, including its bingo hall, will remain open. Smoking is allowed in the original casino.
The new casino, however, will be smoke-free and feature a dedicated smoking deck.
The new casino is open to guests 21 and older because alcohol is served. The original casino, where no alcohol is allowed, is open to guests 18 and older.
Only individuals 21 and older will be eligible for a players club card, which can be used at either casino.
Parking information
A four-floor parking garage will be available to Chicken Ranch visitors by the time the resort opens in mid-July.
Overflow parking is set up across the street from the resort.
“We’re going to be having people out there directing traffic,” Mathiesen said.
There will be a valet option as well as shuttles to take visitors from parking areas to the resort. Parking at the original casino and bingo hall will not change.
Eventually, there will be more parking options, including a second garage and a lot.
Room options
Three years ago, two mock-up rooms were built to test features, including what Chicken Ranch officials liked and didn’t like, where outlets needed to go and if the mattresses were comfortable.
Now, the five-story hotel has 175 perfected guest rooms and 22 suites. All rooms have wooden floors and an open floor plan.
The price for guest rooms varies by type and day of the week, but generally ranges between $195 and $295.
There are seven suites to choose from, including the Mother Plucker. This suite has are two rooms — one with a king-size bed and one with a queen-size bed.
There is a bathroom in each room of the Mother Plucker, and a third in a hallway. There is a pool table, a living area with a pull-out couch, a balcony overlooking the pool, an apartment-size refrigerator and freezer and a dishwasher.
Depending on the day of the week, this suite can cost between $465 and $615. It is 1,595 square feet.
Other suites range from 450 square feet to 1,172 square feet.
Sports betting
A first-of-its-kind sports betting app, called Playbawk, is set to launch this fall. Chicken Ranch partnered with Vetnos, a sports gaming solutions provider, to launch a game that’s played like tic-tac-toe.
Users can bet on the performances of athletes in sports including motor sports, football, soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball and golf, Mathiesen said.
In each of the nine match-ups, users will pick the player they think will beat another player’s handicapped score, according to the Vetnos website. The players chosen will fill a tic-tac-toe grid.
Each match-up win is an “X” on the grid. The more tic-tac-toes a user gets, the more money he or she wins.
While users won’t need to be in the casino to use the app, it can be used only on the Chicken Ranch reservation.
“It will be the very first in the nation,” Mathiesen said.
Wahlburger’s serves Chicken Ranch favorites
Rather than serving its own ranch dressing, Wahlburger’s will offer Chicken Ranch’s house-made ranch dressing, a beloved family recipe and a Chicken Ranch signature.
“We told (Wahlburgers), do not touch this,” Mathiesen said. “We’ve got too many people who absolutely love that ranch.”
In addition to its ranch dressing, the casino’s own chicken tenders will be on the Wahlburger’s menu.
Wahlburgers will operate 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
Sports bar rentals
The (209) Sports Bar + Kitchen, on the second floor near the slot machines, will offer private rooms for rent.
Each room fits 10 people and has a 128-inch TV, couches, chairs and a table. The rooms can be rented individually, or the connecting divider can be removed for one large space.
Mathiesen said he expects to see the rooms booked for Super Bowl and fantasy league parties.
The resort is at 16929 Chicken Ranch Road, Jamestown. To learn more, go to chickenranchcasino.com.
This story was originally published July 8, 2024 at 11:55 AM.
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