The scene is easy to picture. After a day in the snow, out on the trails or on a boat on the lake, a visitor sits down at a restaurant with mountain views, opens the menu, and, when it is time to pay, instead of pulling out a credit card, scans a QR code to settle the bill with crypto.
That setup is still the exception, but recent moves by restaurants in California suggest this kind of payment is leaving the tech crowd’s imagination and getting closer to the day-to-day reality of tourism in the state.
In Sacramento, for example, a startup called Food Token already allows local chains like Jimboy’s Tacos, Brookfields and neighborhood coffee shops to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and stablecoins in transactions that work, from the restaurant’s point of view, like a digital gift card, with a flat $0.10 fee per transaction. Well below what many businesses pay today in credit card processing fees.
This kind of testing in urban areas may be a preview of what could reach tourist destinations like Tahoe, where every detail of the visitor experience tends to have a direct impact on the local economy.
From Sacramento To The Mountains: Restaurants Enter The Digital Wallet Era
The Sacramento experiment is happening at a time when a meaningful share of Americans already know about or own crypto, even if most people remain skeptical. Data from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly 17% of adults in the U.S. have invested in or currently hold cryptocurrencies.
A 2025 Gallup survey indicated that approximately 14% of American adults say they own some type of crypto. For this engaged minority, paying with digital assets is nothing new. Multiple sectors are adopting crypto, especially in entertainment, leisure and services.
On gaming platforms, it is already common. Even in real money games offered by online casinos or betting sites, crypto assets are a viable option for deposits and withdrawals. The notice that a site accepts crypto payment options, like in the Robbie Purves compilation, is starting to sound less like a perk and more like something everyone should offer.
That is, of course, in the online world, where people can place bets, join promotions and tournaments, and play live with other users. In person, this possibility is still seen as a bit of an extravagance, although it is slowly becoming a natural extension of how people already pay for flights, hotels, rideshare apps and digital services.
In Sacramento, the model is straightforward. The customer scans a QR code, chooses which coin they want to use and, in practice, converts that balance into a digital credit to spend on food or wine, while the restaurant receives dollars, without having to handle public keys or price volatility directly.
If models like this are replicated by chains or independent restaurants up in the mountains, Tahoe could become a destination that speaks to this more digital-first audience without turning away anyone who still prefers cards or cash. For tourists, the message is convenience and a sense of welcome; you can pay the way you do at home. For restaurants, it is the chance to test a new payment channel without giving up the traditional register.
Tourism In Tahoe Is Already Worth Billions And Sensitive To How People Pay
This discussion is not happening in a vacuum. Tahoe is not just a postcard view, it is an economic engine that depends directly on visitor traffic. An economic impact report for North Lake Tahoe shows that direct travel spending in the region reached about $1.32 billion in 2023, up 3.7% compared to 2022.
Of that total, nearly $740 million came from lodging and food service, and tourism supported roughly 9,070 direct jobs, including about 4,820 positions in accommodations and food service alone.
At the state level, the picture is even bigger. According to Visit California, travel spending in the state reached $150.4 billion in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. That activity generated around $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue and supported more than 1.15 million hospitality jobs.
In other words, every small decision that makes it easier for visitors to spend, from opening hours to payment methods, has the potential to ripple through jobs, tax collections and local investment capacity.
For destinations like South Lake Tahoe, which compete for visitors with other snow and leisure hubs across the U.S., offering payment options that match the habits of younger domestic and international travelers can work as a symbolic, but meaningful, advantage.
For a guest arriving from San Francisco, Los Angeles or overseas with a digital wallet loaded with stablecoins, being able to pay for parts of the trip, from breakfast to après-ski, in crypto reinforces a sense of modernity that goes beyond the scenery.
Who Really Pays With Crypto Today?
Despite all the buzz, using cryptocurrencies as a means of payment is still a niche behavior. A briefing released in September 2025 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, based on the Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED), shows that the share of U.S. consumers using crypto to pay for purchases or send money fell from almost 3% in 2021-2022 to less than 2% in 2023 and 2024.
In absolute terms, that comes out to something like 5 million adults using crypto for payments in a universe of more than 250 million. The profile of people who pay with crypto also does not match only the high-income investor stereotype.
The same study indicates that younger adults, men, users of alternative financial services and consumers with weaker ties to the traditional banking system are more likely to use cryptocurrencies for day-to-day payments.
On top of that, the most common reason cited for using crypto is not just the search for privacy or speed, but the fact that the person or business on the other side prefers to be paid that way.
That shift in motivation is key to understanding what is happening with restaurants in California. It also helps explain why initiatives like Food Token focus on removing friction for the restaurant, offering a platform where the business gets paid in dollars while the currency conversion and tech complexity are handled by the intermediary.
Full House Resorts navigated a challenging third quarter as renovation work continued at the Grand Lodge Casino in Incline Village. The company reported that the project significantly impacted operations on the North Shore during weeks when portions of the gaming floor were temporarily closed, though management maintained most operations around the construction schedule. Strong performance at American Place in Illinois and Chamonix in Colorado helped offset a slower period in the West segment.
The Grand Lodge renovation offers a clear example of how physical changes to casino layouts influence visitor patterns. When sections of a gaming floor close for construction, guests alter their movement through the facility, often choosing to visit competitors or delay their return until renovations are complete.
Disruptions like this aren’t unique to one region. When local access changes, people often look around for something that keeps their routine steady. In places where new rules narrow the usual gaming choices, readers sometimes check what offshore platforms offer. That’s why a guide that explains non GamStop casinos in the UK market may draw attention during regulatory changes, since it outlines how those sites operate outside the standard licence structure, including details on different payout speeds or withdrawal limits. The behaviour isn’t about a single country, as it’s the same pattern that appears whenever familiar options tighten for a while.
The United States operates under a state-by-state regulatory framework, creating its own unique patterns. Nevada relies on state-regulated in-person systems, while some states offer legal online options. During the Grand Lodge renovation, some visitors simply drove to casinos in Stateline, where gaming floors maintained their usual layouts. Many indicated plans to return once the Tahoe property fully reopens.
Renovation work at Grand Lodge moved across different sections of the gaming floor throughout the quarter. Tables shifted positions, walkways narrowed, and familiar routes through the property changed with limited advance notice. These modifications affected table operation frequency and guest movement patterns. As the floor space tightened during the slower seasonal period, some visitors opted for shorter stays, while others chose to wait out the temporary closures while monitoring project progress.
The phased approach allowed Grand Lodge to maintain partial operations but created uncertainty for regular guests accustomed to specific layouts and table locations. Management acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the long-term benefits once construction is completed.
Company-wide financial results reflected this mixed quarter. Total revenue reached $78 million, a modest increase from $75.7 million in the same period last year. Net loss narrowed to $7.7 million compared with $8.5 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $14.8 million, indicating improved operational efficiency despite renovation headwinds.
The West segment posted revenue of $18 million, down from $19.4 million the previous year. Management attributed the decline primarily to construction disruption at Grand Lodge and the removal of Stockman’s Casino from the revenue base following its closure.
American Place and Chamonix continued delivering growth that partially offset Western segment weakness. These properties demonstrated the value of geographic diversification in Full House’s portfolio strategy.
Full House ended the quarter with $30.9 million in liquidity and approximately $10 million available under its credit facility. The company carries roughly $450 million in debt, though leadership expressed confidence in managing the obligations as renovation work progresses.
Construction at Grand Lodge has extended beyond initial timelines, but management indicated the project is moving toward a more predictable completion schedule. Once finished, the renovated property should provide enhanced guest experiences and improved operational efficiency that justify the temporary disruption to Q3 results.
In Southern California, a new mega-casino is set to be built on the land of the Tejon Indian Tribe. The $600 million Hard Rock project, with a planned gaming area of 150,000 square feet, is considered one of the largest casino projects in the state. The resort will not only offer gambling facilities with more than 2,000 slot machines and numerous table games, but will also feature restaurants, event spaces, and entertainment options. According to Hard Rock and the Tejon Indian Tribe, the project is intended to be a destination that combines both gaming and leisure activities, thus covering all possible visitor needs.
According to data from the California Health Interview Survey, one in four California adults gambled in 2024, amounting to 7.2 million people, showing how deeply rooted gambling is in this part of the US. Against this backdrop, the new resort has enormous economic potential.
Gambling Participation in the US
According to data from the American Gaming Association, the US gambling industry currently generates around $72 billion in commercial revenue from the gambling industry each year. Together with tribal gambling, total US gambling revenue is around $115 billion. California contributed a significant share of total tribal gambling in the US, with revenues from the tribal gambling sector recently reaching $41.9 billion.
However, unlike Nevada or New Jersey, California currently has only a few large commercial casinos, meaning that a large proportion of gambling expenditure leaves the state. Due to the lack of gambling options in California, many users are increasingly turning to offshore providers, casinos in other states, or online gambling platforms. Since Texas has a broad gambling industry, casino sites licensed for Texas residents are becoming increasingly popular, even among non-Texans. According to gambling expert Matt Bastock, one of the main reasons behind the popularity of these websites is that they offer generous bonuses, fast and reliable payouts, and, above all, fairness and security.
The gambling habits of Californians are reflected in the state’s finances. By building a new, large casino in California, the money spent by users could now remain in the state instead of flowing abroad or to other states. The expected revenue from the gambling sector is substantial and could benefit the local economy.
The Importance of the Hard Rock Casino Project
As one of the few casinos of this size, Hard Rock Casino Tejon has significant potential. It could be an economic lever in Southern California, stimulating investment, jobs, tourism, and supply chains. The American Gaming Association (AGA) has been documenting the US commercial gaming industry and its revenues for years and points to the economic effects of the revenues generated by this sector. With a total economic impact of $328.6 billion, the industry is achieving record results on a national scale: The industry supports around 1.8 million jobs in the casino sector, and the tax impact and tribal revenue share amount to $52.7 billion. In California, too, new potential may open up with this casino project, both for the economy and for residents. In addition to direct jobs, the project could generate additional tax revenue and increased demand for construction and service companies.
Hard Rock’s Vision
Hard Rock Casino Tejon plans to create a destination for outstanding entertainment that will significantly boost the economy in Kern County. The project aims to achieve major accomplishments: it will promote tourism, create 1,000 permanent jobs and over 5,000 construction-related roles, and stimulate the local economy through increased investment and demand. In addition, resources and services, such as social services and infrastructure, will be provided for members of the Tejon Indian Tribe. Furthermore, the planned infrastructure improvements will be entirely privately funded. This means that taxpayers will be relieved of any financial burden, as they will not have to make any direct contributions.
According to Hard Rock, the first phase, planned for 2025, will create a huge gaming area of approximately 150,000 square feet that will house 2,000 modern slot machines, 58 table games, and video poker. To round off the project, the gaming area will be complemented by a Hard Rock merchandise store and several restaurants. Of course, a typical Hard Rock Café will also be part of the complex.
Economic Independence for the Tejon Indian Tribe
For the Tejon Indian Tribe, the casino not only marks an economic breakthrough but also has a profound impact on the tribe’s structures. It was not until 2011 that the tribe regained federal status after being excluded for several generations. Through its partnership with Hard Rock, a company founded by the Seminole Tribe and itself under tribal leadership, the tribe is now regaining autonomy and self-governance.
Of the 1,000 permanent jobs promised to be created by the project, more than 50 tribal members are expected to be employed in the project. The additional thousands of jobs in construction represent economic progress for the tribe, which not only relies on gaming revenues but also intends to reinvest them specifically in improving the community.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the project further includes space for a tribal administration headquarters, a medical facility, and housing for members. Thus, the Hard Rock project not only supports the tribe’s social infrastructure but also promotes a sense of cultural belonging and long-term ties to the land, which is now being economically revalued and gaining nationwide recognition.
“Today marks a historic moment for the Tejon Indian Tribe and the entire Kern County community.” Octavio Escobedo, III, Chairman of the Tejon Tribe, said during the opening celebrations. “The opening of Hard Rock Casino Tejon is not only a celebration of our Tribe’s heritage and resilience but also a bold step forward in creating opportunity and prosperity for future generations. This project will bring thousands of jobs, fuel economic growth, and serve as a gathering place where culture, entertainment, and community come together. We are proud to share this milestone with our friends, neighbors, and partners who helped make this vision a reality.”
Gambling Future in Southern California
The Hard Rock Casino Tejon has enormous economic potential, not only for the tribe itself but also for the entire state. The resort will create new jobs and attract additional visitors. In addition to the expected revenue from tourism, there are also expectations of a significant increase in local visitors. The new casino is intended to offer attractive leisure activities that will ideally discourage people from the region from switching to online platforms and instead spend their money at local establishments, which will ultimately benefit the state and the community.
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