Stars Casino will head to West Valley Mall and move into the former Famous Dave’s building, opening with a full-service restaurant and bar for guests.

Stars Casino will head to West Valley Mall and move into the former Famous Dave’s building, opening with a full-service restaurant and bar for guests.

Stars Casino in Tracy is moving to a bigger location at the West Valley Mall in a move the business and city are calling a win-win.

Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel Macalino said the Stars Casino is looking to become a destination for more than just gambling.

"They’re actually proven to mitigate the coronavirus that may be on the cards or the chips," Casino CEO Joseph Melech explained.

Melech said the changes cost them tens of thousands of dollars to abide by state and county safety guidelines, but he's hoping it will help the business survive the pandemic.

Stars Casino opened for the first extended period since mid-March, becoming the first cardroom in the state allowed to reopen with outdoor gaming. It could become a model for Bay Area casinos and cardrooms that are leaking money.

Stars Casino in Tracy reopened after a five-month closure due to public health guidelines forcing them to close. Outdoor gaming operations began at noon on Saturday.