Stones Gambling Hall celebrates a decade in business in Citrus Heights

By Sara Beth Williams–
July marked 10 years in business for Stones Gambling Hall.

The gambling hall, located at 6501 Antelope Road, held its formal grand opening on July 11, 2014. The new hall was a combination of two closed card rooms, The Lucky Derby and The Phoenix casinos.

“Stones Gambling Hall was born out of a passion for creating a unique entertainment destination in Citrus Heights,” Masis Kevorkian, partner at Stones Gambling Hall, told The Sentinel last week, adding that the owners wanted to build a “community-focused establishment” in a place where everyone felt welcome.

In looking back to the beginning, Kevorkian said one of the biggest hurdles was building trust, establishing a strong reputation, and ensuring that all guests felt “safe, valued, and entertained.” Stones has partnered regularly with the Citrus Heights Police Department and provides police with dedicated parking spaces, according to local news reports.

The gambling hall hasn’t gone without enduring controversy. In 2019, an alleged cheating scheme “rocked the poker world” and resulted in a $30 million lawsuit. According to the Sacramento Bee, lawyers in the case agreed Stones, nor the Live Poker Manager, were not involved in cheating and the case was settled in 2020 for an undisclosed amount.

The suit, which named poker player Michael Postle, Stones Gambling Hall and other defendants, sought $30 million for 25 plaintiffs who claimed to have lost money while playing in poker games with Postle in 2018, a time “during which he allegedly collected $250,000 in winnings.”

In celebration of the milestone of 10 years in business, Stones recently held an invitation-only 10-year anniversary celebration. During the celebration, the company distributed $5,000 in donations to multiple nonprofits, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Glass Slipper, CA Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Sacramento County Sheriff K-9 Association, and Saint John’s Program for Real Change, said Cristina Guccione.

Along with creating hundreds of jobs, the gambling hall has also made “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in donations to local charities, according to Kevorkian.

In 2018, Stones participated in “The Big 24-hour Giveback” where gaming halls donated $100 to charities for every person that walked through the door. According to a March 2018 press release, Stones donated $75,000 in total.

In 2020, Stones donated hundreds of meals from its restaurant to Saint John’s Program for Real Change, which offers shelter services to women and children. The gambling hall also donated $2,500 to the Sacramento Children’s Home, which went toward purchasing 18 bikes for the residents of the home.

“Seeing our guests return time and again, forming friendships and creating memories here, is incredibly rewarding,” Kevorkian said.

In the years to come, Kevorkian said the company will continue to evolve and “enhance the guest experience.” The hall plans to introduce more innovative gaming options, expand dining and restaurant offerings, and further integrate technology to streamline services, according to Kevorkian.

“Community engagement will remain a cornerstone of our mission, with more events and initiatives that give back to the local area,” Kevorkian said, adding that the ultimate goal is to remain a “beloved destination” where customers can find enjoyment 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.