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Gaming Veteran Mike Bean Named Chief Executive Officer of the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa

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INLAND EMPIRE MAGAZINE
February 2025

Twenty years is a drop in eternity's bucket, but what a difference it's made in Riverside County desert communities. In December 2004, Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, owned and operated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, opened its doors. The anniversary celebration continues throughout 2025. "Our 20th anniversary is significant milestone, and we've pulled out all the stops to celebrate with our loyal guests over the next 12 months," says Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. "Our success is rooted in our core commitment to consistently exceeding the expectations of our guests, and we are profoundly grateful for their continued support." To kick off the anniversary, fireworks lit up the desert sky above the 27-story Morongo resort as part of the initial celebration on Dec. 10, 2024. As part of the year-long celebration, Morongo commissioned three commemorative gaming chips recognizing the casino's 20th anniversary. Set in denominations of $5. $25 and $100, the collector chips are emblazoned with an image of the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa rising in the night sky against a flourish of colorful fireworks. Located on the 36.000-acre Morongo Indian Reservation along the 10 Freeway in Cabazon, the AAA 4-Diamond Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa includes its iconic 27-story hotel tower, top-rated restaurants, a swimming pool with private cabanas, a spa, an entertainment venue, and the 36 hole championship Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon. But more than fun has evolved from the opening of the resort.

"Over the past two decades, the Morongo Casino has ignited an economic renaissance for our tripe and the surrounding community as we created thousands of local jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity for the region," Martin says. With its diversification into non-gaming businesses, according to the tribe. it has become the largest private sector employer in the Banning-Beaumont region and is a major contributor to the Coachella Valley economy.

The tribe employs more than 3,000 people and generates about $3 billion in regional economic activity across a diverse portfolio of business enterprises in gaming, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, tourism, dining and recreation.

In addition, Inland Empire tribes, including Morongo donate generously to numerous local organizations and community groups. For example, in 2022 the Morongo Band of Mission Indians donated a record $5.6 million to the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation to purchase new equipment and build new facilities that helped the hospital become stroke certified. In 2023, the tribe christened a new tribal ground ambulance and medical helicopter that provides life-saving critical care and medical transport services on the Morongo Reservation and in communities across the San Gorgonio Pass through a partnership between Morongo and Global Medical Response companies, REACH, Air Medical Services, and American Medical Response. It is believed to be the nation's first collaboration between a federally-recognized tribe and an emergency medical service to provide both air and ground ambulances.

Based on the Morongo Tribal Fire Department, the new ground ambulance is staffed with Morongo firefighter/paramedics. The Tribal medical air unit, a twin-engine Airbus H-145 helicopter, is dispatched to emergencies by Riverside County's Cal Fire operations center. Emblazoned with the Morongo trial logo, the ambulances are being funded by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and managed by the Morongo Tribal Fire Department. Over the past decade, Morongo has given more than $15 million to support local and regional nonprofit organizations that help seniors, families, veterans, youth and those in need.

But it wasn't always that way With a history that stretches more than 5,000 years, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians have been long-time residents or a desert environment that is filled with beauty, but sometimes difficult to thrive in. Yet, it did. In 1876 when U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant set aside reservation property to relocate thousands of Native American Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians was permitted to remain on the land of their ancestors.

In 1983, the tribe set out on a new path when its members started a modest bingo hall. Several laws and state compacts later, this initial venture evolved into the current Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. So even if you don gamble, Morongo Casino Resort & Spa offers plenty to do, see and experience. Check morongocasinoresort.com for upcoming events and other details.

PLAY & STAY

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Southern California's favorite casino, is less than 90 minutes from wherever you are. Morongo has once again elevated the gaming. culinary and entertainment experience in Southern California with our expansion and new dining experiences.
Marvel at over 4,000 of the hottest, newest, and loosest slot machines, along With dozens or your favorite games! Morongo welcomes quests with 310 deluxe rooms, spectacular suites, and exclusive casitas, all new renovated and updated.

Spoil yourself at Cielo, our AAA Four Diamond and Wine Spectator award winning steak and seafood restaurant, which offers stunning views of the mountain sunsets. The Good Times are rolling 24 hours a day at Good Times Cafe! start your day sunny-side-up with a hearty breakfast and keep on cruisin' through the night with an eclectic menu of inventive craft beers, masterfully mixed cocktails, and brewhouse bistro favorites like our crisp, handmade brick-oven pizza.

Visit The Marketplace by beloved celebrity chef and "Top Chef" fan favorite, Fabio Viviani. For one price, you get to try a world of flavors with seven unique stations, Including BBQ, seafood, Italian, prime rib and more! It's a foodie's paradise. Journey Into this all-you-can-eat culinary experience and taste dishes inspired by flavors found all over the world. With each menu consisting of fresh and in-season ingredients, every visit will be a unique experience.

In addition, at the entrance to The Market place is Pescato, Morongo's new oyster and seafood bar. Pescato is all about quality first. Everything at Pescato is line-caught, fresh, and of course, undeniably delicious. Go to MorongoCasinoResort.com and book your stay today. MORONGO! GOOD TIMES!

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33rd Annual Morongo Thunder and Lightning Pow Wow returns to Cabazon The Morongo Thunder and Lightning Pow Wow returns to Cabazon for its 33rd year. This event is held by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the public is invited to attend. Throughout this three-day event the Tribe is expecting 30,000 visitors. There will be traditional Cahuilla bird singing, dancing, food and an opportunity to purchase handmade baskets and pottery. Members of the Tribe say this is a gathering of Native nations who are coming together, sharing their culture and songs, and also showcasing their perseverance.

The event runs from September 27th to the 29th and admission is free. You can find more information here: morongopowwow.com

VIEW THE NEWS COVERAGE

The Marketplace

Explore a world of flavors at Morongo's upscale food hall.
By David Cohen
Inland Empire Magazine | August 2024

WHAT WAS A TYPICAL CASINO BUFFET has been transformed by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani into an upscale culinary toy store comprised of seven different restaurants spanning the globe from Mexico and South America to Italy and Asia, as well as the American South, offering steaks, barbecue, Asian dishes, seafood, Italian and Mexican specialties, and desserts.

Chef Fabio's signature restaurant, Pescato Oyster Bar & Seafood (not included in the Marketplace pricing), is right outside The Marketplace entrance. Here, the menu includes an oyster bar, cioppino (a San Francisco-style fisherman's stew), a cold seafood platter, and a spectacular Parihuela (Peruvian seafood stew) that's composed of Maine lobster , fish fillets, clams, mussels, roasted corn and diced potatoes in a piquant Ali Amarillo broth made with yellow Peruvian chilis. Within The Marketplace there is a Pescato restaurant with a smaller menu that is included in The Marketplace pricing.

For $46.99 on weekdays and $48.99 on weekends, you can sample foods from any or all of the seven restaurants in the Marketplace, which are: Pork & Waffles (barbecue and Southern comfort food); Prime Cuts (steaks, Iamb, pork roast, Brazilian churrascaria); Al Comal (Mexican, South American and Caribbean featuring handmade tortillas); Pescato (which translates to "line caught" and features an oyster bar, Southern-style boils, and fresh seafood); Sukiru (Pan Asian dishes featuring Japanese noodles, Vietnamese pho, Korean barbecue and Chinese dumplings); Mercato Centrale (all things Italian including pizza, pastas and salads); and Sweet Things offering an array of desserts including such items as French macarons, tiramisu and r ed velvet madelines...

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