Project Overview

Completed in 2022, the new 36,000-square-foot Elk Valley Casino replaced the tribe’s original 1995 facility, offering expanded gaming, dining, and entertainment. The upgraded casino features over 300 slot machines, blackjack and Spanish 21 tables, and Paula Jo’s Poker Room. A 3,600-square-foot event center accommodates up to 500 guests for bingo and live entertainment.

Additional amenities include Warriors Bar & Grill, a full-service restaurant with a live stage, and Perks! Coffee, Tobacco & Gifts. The property also includes an RV park, a gas station with a convenience store, and future hotel plans. Major infrastructure upgrades include a state-of-the-art ventilation system with the Synexis Bio-Defense System for air quality and a strategic relocation closer to Highway 101 for improved accessibility.

This project enhances the region’s gaming and hospitality offerings while setting a new standard for guest experience and operational efficiency.

Role & Responsibilities

Gaming Floor Power Distribution – Designed a high-capacity electrical system to support over 300 slot machines, table games, and poker rooms, ensuring uninterrupted gaming operations.

Lighting & Controls – Engineered custom lighting solutions for gaming areas, dining spaces, and entertainment venues, incorporating dimmable, energy-efficient LED lighting to enhance ambiance and minimize energy consumption.

Emergency Power & Reliability – Integrated a backup power system, including standby generator and UPS units, to ensure continuous operations in the event of power disruptions..

IT & Communications Infrastructure – Developed dedicated power and grounding systems for casino surveillance, security, and data networks, minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensuring secure operations.

New Utility & Data Services – Designed and coordinated a new utility service and data infrastructure along the main road to support the casino’s operational and technological demands. Load letter and energy usage study were conducted to ensure compliance and capacity planning.

Commercial Kitchen Electrical Design – Provided a power distribution system for a fully equipped commercial kitchen, supporting high-demand appliances, HVAC, and ventilation systems.

Entertainment & Hospitality Power Systems – Provided power solutions for the casino’s event center, live performance stages, and dining facilities, supporting high-powered AV and lighting equipment.

Key Challenges & Solutions

🔹 Ensuring Reliable Power for 24/7 Operations – Continuous gaming and hospitality services required highly resilient power infrastructure.
✔ Solution: Designed redundant power distribution with backup generator and load prioritization to maintain critical operations.

🔹 Coordinating High-Demand Electrical Loads – The casino required extensive electrical capacity for gaming machines, HVAC, kitchen equipment, and entertainment systems.
✔ Solution: Developed a strategic load distribution plan and performed deep analysis of demand load to ensure appropriate sizing of electrical gear without overdesigning.

🔹 Minimizing Electrical Noise & EMI for IT Systems – The casino's surveillance, security, and gaming networks required interference-free power.
✔ Solution: Implemented shielded cabling, isolation transformers, and dedicated grounding to ensure stable power for sensitive systems.

🔹 Extensive Coordination with Tribal Gaming & Security Consultants – The project required seamless integration with the tribe’s gaming and security teams to meet regulatory and operational standards.
✔ Solution: Conducted regular design coordination meetings to align power, IT, and security systems with operational needs and gaming regulations.

Outcome & Impact

✅ Uninterrupted Gaming & Hospitality Services – Designed a resilient electrical infrastructure to support 24/7 operations, ensuring a seamless guest experience.

✅ Enhanced Energy Efficiency & Sustainability – Integrated energy-conscious design elements, including LED lighting, and EV charging stations, reducing operational costs.

✅ Optimized Power Distribution for Future Expansion – The electrical system was designed with scalability in mind, allowing for future gaming, hospitality, and entertainment enhancements.

✅ Fully Integrated Security & Compliance Systems – Successfully coordinated with tribal gaming and security consultants, ensuring all electrical and IT systems met stringent regulatory and operational requirements.

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Looking for an experienced electrical engineering partner for your next casino, hospitality, or entertainment facility? Let’s connect to discuss how NLS can support your project needs.

Elk Valley Casino Electrical Design

(Crescent City, CA)