Recessiion hits Indian gaming

Thunder Valley Casino lays off 5 percent of workforce

By Dale Kasler dkasler@sacbee.com

Published: Monday, May. 4, 2009 - 10:04 am

Thunder Valley Casino has laid off about 5 percent of its employees, a spokesman said today.
The layoffs affected fewer than 100 part-time employees, said spokesman Doug Elmets.
"The current situation at Thunder Valley is essentially a reflection of the economy," he said.
A hiring freeze begun in January "allowed us to reduce the number of layoffs," he said.
The recession has hurt the casino industry throughout California and Nevada. In February, gaming revenue at the Reno and Lake Tahoe casinos fell more than 23 percent, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Nonetheless, Thunder Valley remains committed to building a hotel tower at the Lincoln-area casino, Elmets said. The project resumed construction in mid-April, although about a third smaller than originally conceived, after it was suspended last fall.