Page 40 - SLO Visitor's Guide - Winter 2023

Grover Beach
Central Coast Casino celebrates 25 years of welcoming guests to Grover Beach
Visit the card room ‘where visitors feel like locals and locals feel like guests’
Spend a few minutes inside Central Coast Casino and you’ll discover what the locals already
know – it’s one of the friendliest places around. Celebrating 25 years of success in Grover Beach, owner Dave Stearns and his team invite everyone to stop by and see what the buzz is all about.
“We are known for our friendly atmosphere and we invite visitors and locals alike to come enjoy a game of poker in a special, unique setting,” Owner Dave Stearns says. “Our goal is always to create a special experi- ence where professionalism and small-town charm meet. It’s an opportunity for locals and visitors to mix and for everybody to have a good time.”
With the motto of, “Where visitors feel like locals and locals feel like guests,” Central Coast Casino is home to friendly, professional dealers and a slew of regular players that Stearns refers to as, “a big cast of characters” united by a love for poker. On any given day, folks in the card room include everyone from ditch diggers to doctors, profes- sional athletes, firefighters, and professors.
Upgrades include shared space with Rib Line by the Beach
Sharing a 7000-square foot building with Rib Line by the Beach, a family-friendly restau- rant run by Brian and Krystal Appiano has elevated the overall experience at Central Coast
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“We are known for our friendly atmosphere and we invite visitors and locals alike to come enjoy a game of poker in a special, unique setting,” Owner Dave Stearns says.“Our goal is always to create a special experience where professionalism and small-town charm meet. It’s an opportunity for locals and visitors to mix and for everybody to have a good time.”
Poker lessons and a lifetime of experience
Stearns offers complimentary lessons daily with an emphasis
on responsible card playing. He starts every lesson with: “Poker is for two kinds of people, kings and fools – which one are you?” His point is simple – don’t play with money you can’t afford to lose.
“Poker is one of America’s favorite pastimes,” he says. “We want people to appreciate the excitement of a good, competitive game but we also want to educate them on the dangers of losing control.”
Stearns holds a Bachelor’s De- gree in marketing and entrepre- neurship. He spent many years in Los Angeles-based casinos, work- ing his way up from dealer to house player to casino manager. He opened Central Coast Casino in 1998.
– Owner Dave Stearns
Casino, according to Stearns. The entire premises have been completely remodeled, resulting in a stunning ambiance.
“I can’t say enough about the Appiano Family and what they have done to improve the overall quality, safety, security, and friendly atmosphere of this facil- ity,” Stearns says. “They are doing a great job, and they have been a welcome addition to the area.”
The card room features new gaming equipment and tables, comfy leather chairs, and ad- ditional seating. Regulars can be found gathering around the card tables on a near-nightly basis engaging in three of the card room’s most popular games – Big O Hi-Lo Split, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Omaha.
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