I pass by the ghost mall in Elk Grove fairly often. It is a prime location compared to the usual out-of-the way Indian Casino locations. From what I have read, it's to be coupled with a "high-end" outlet mall.
Station Casinos manages the Graton Resort complex near Rohnert Park. It took years to get finished due to local opposition, but money wins.
In our neck of the woods, Red Hawk Casino in Shingle Springs has had continual financial problems along the way, there was a threat of shut down a few years ago. They borrowed too much and spent too much to open, but they became "too big to fail" and they renegotiated the compact with California to reduce the state cut and got Lakes Management to take a early lump sum debt termination. We were really hoping it would go belly up.
The Indian casinos are a blight on society. We have visited a few a handful of times and find them extremely smoke filled, with an atmosphere of gambling desperation. Although they make great rest stops along I-5 or 101 North, with good bathrooms, plenty of parking and OK restaurants.