River Rock Casino revenues slip

River Rock Casino reported $33.2 million in net revenue for the first quarter of 2008, down about $1 million from last year, casino officials said Thursday.

The Alexander Valley casino earned nearly $7 million in the quarter before distributions to its owners, the Dry Creek tribe of Pomo Indians. The tribe received about $3.1 million for the period ending March 31.

The casino still is seeking a liquor license and moving ahead with plans for a casino-hotel complex on the tribe’s 75-acre reservation, said Shawn Smyth, CEO of River Rock Entertainment Authority, the tribe’s casino operator.

In March, the tribe reached an agreement with Sonoma County leaders to pay the county up to $75 million over the next 12 years for impacts of its planned expansion.

The county agreed to provide law enforcement and fire services to the project and dropped its opposition to a liquor license for the casino, after the tribe agreed to limit the hours of alcohol sales.

River Rock, near Geyserville, has a 62,000-square-foot facility with 1,570 gaming machines, 22 game tables and a restaurant.