When I think of states with a lot of casinos or a lot of gambling, California isn’t the first one to come to mind. In my mind, people from California who want to gamble usually go to Nevada to visit Las Vegas.
But, as it turns out, the California casino scene is poppin’. You can find over 60 different casinos throughout the state.
San Manuel Casino is Southern California's No. 1 Gaming Destination Guests enjoy thousands of the latest slot machines, live Vegas-style table games, high-limit gaming, unique shopping, award-winning dining and a generous player's rewards program.
In this post, I provide an overview of what the California gambling scene is really like.
An Overview of the California Casino Scene
When it comes to overall number of casinos in the state, California is #2 – right after Nevada. It’s not really close, though. California has somewhere north of 60 casinos in operation, while Nevada has around 350 different casinos.
Still, 60+ casinos is an impressive number.
The two biggest casinos in California are:
You can gamble at the age of 18 in the state of California, although some casinos have policies to only allow 21+ year old gamblers. That’s not a state law, though – that seems to just be a corporate policy for some casinos.
California doesn’t just have casinos and cardrooms, though – the state also has at least 10 parimutuel racetracks, too.
Most of the casinos and gambling in California are tribal in nature.
Types of Gambling Allowed in California
If you want to run a casino in California, you need to be involved in a Native American tribe. No one else is allowed to run casinos in the state. Native American tribes are considered more-or-less independent nations within the United States, and they have specific agreements with state governments (called “compacts” which govern their affairs.
In many states, these compacts include the right to operate casinos as long as the money goes toward the welfare of the tribe. I guess the United States figures it’s the least they can do, considering.
In California, these casinos have a limited amount of freedom in terms of what they can offer. Electronic gaming machines – like slots and video poker — are allowed. Blackjack and other card games are also permitted.
Games which use dice and spinning wheels, like craps and roulette, are not legal in the state. As you’ll read later in this post, California has workarounds for these restrictions.
In many states where Indian tribes are allowed to offer slot machines, state law requires them to release their payback statistics. This is NOT the case with California casinos. Your guess as to the slots payback percentages for these casinos is as good as anyone else’s.
Many of the casinos in California are smaller operates, especially in Southern California.
But the state has its share of large casinos, too.
Cardrooms are almost ubiquitous in the state, too, and they often operate independently of any casino. Some cardrooms even offer player-banked versions of blackjack. There are almost 100 cardrooms throughout the state.
California Craps and California Roulette
Since it’s illegal to use dice or spinning wheels to determine outcomes of gambling games in California, the casinos there have come up with workarounds to get outcomes for games that mirror craps and roulette. These “California craps” and “California roulette” games use a deck of cards to duplicate the odds of traditional craps and roulette.
(Oklahoma used to do the same thing until they changed the laws recently.)
Here’s how that works, although the actual mechanisms sometimes vary by casino:
In some casinos, they will take cards numbered ace through six from two different suits and draw a card of each suit to get a craps total. The odds this way are exactly the same as they would be if you rolled two dice. You still have the same 36 possible outcomes with the same odds of achieving each of them.
Another way some casinos determine these results is to use a deck of cards with 36 cards in it. Each of those cards is coded to correspond to one of the possible outcomes of a pair of dice.
Some people might be confused about this. After all, if you roll two dice, you only have 11 possible totals.
But some of those totals are more common than others because you have multiple ways to get those totals.
For example, a total of seven is the easiest total to get in craps because you can roll any of the following combinations to get that total:
- 1, 6
- 2, 5
- 3, 4
- 4, 3
- 5, 2
- 6, 1
And yes, the order does matter.
California roulette is easier to understand. In a standard roulette game, you have 38 possible outcomes – one for each number on the wheel.
Without the rolling of the dice or the spinning of the wheel, craps and roulette lose some of their appeal. They’re still offered by California casinos, but they’re not exactly popular. Most gamblers enjoy playing blackjack for real money, and since that’s perfectly legal the way it was intended to be played, that’s where the casino devotes most of its table gaming space in California.
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Can You Gamble Online in California?
Even though traditional brick-and-mortar cardrooms and casinos are common enough throughout the state, there is no official, regulated online gambling scene in the state. There are no online casinos or online cardrooms operating within California’s borders.
I try to restrain my opinions about the legality of that from a player perspective. It’s clear that it’s a grey area for these offshore casinos to offer casino games, poker, and sports betting for California gamblers.
It’s not clear what is the legality for California gamblers to play at these sites, though. In fact, I know of exactly zero instances of an online gambler getting in any kind of trouble for placing real money wagers of any kind on the internet.
What Is San Manuel Casino Like?
San Manuel Casino is in Highland, California and requires its patrons to be 21 years old or older to enter. It’s the largest casino in the state and easily one of the most popular. They’re open 24/7.
Highland is a little over an hour outside of Los Angeles. They offer slot machines and traditional table card games. They just renovated their non-smoking area in the casino, too.
Like many casinos, San Manuel organizes their gaming into various areas. The Rockin’ Casino, for example, has over 800 new slot machines and 16 table games. It’s designed to have a rock and roll feel. The high limit room, on the other hand, offers a newly-renovated casino experience at the upper betting limits – both slots and card games.
San Manuel has a lucrative arrangement with Konami and boasts of having more Konami games than any other casino in the world. They also offer over 130 different tables of casino games – mostly blackjack.
Finally, the Lotus Palace is an Asian-themed casino gambling area with baccarat and Asian-inspired slots.
What Is Thunder Valley Casino Resort Like?
Thunder Valley Casino Resort is located in Lincoln, California, and they’re open 24/7. The casino offers 3000 different gambling machines, including some big name slots like the following:
- Farmville
- Lightning Link
- Lock It Link Superlock
- Quick Hits
- Triple Diamond
- Wizard of Oz Munchkinland
They offer slot machine gambling at all betting limits, too, from penny slots to $100 per spin.
They also offer a robust selection of casino games, including:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Blackjack Switch
- Chase the Flush
- Criss Cross
- DJ Wild
- Face Up Pai Gow Poker
- Fortune Pai Gow Progressive
- Four Card Poker
- Free Bet Blackjack
- Mystery Card Roulette
- Spanish 21
- Three Card Poker
- Thunder Valley Craps
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Zappit Blackjack
Their “Thunder Valley Craps” is another example of California Craps. In this version, the craps table has a red box and a blue box. You toss the cubes on the table, and the number of dots on the cube corresponds to a card. That card determines the craps total.
“Mystery Card Roulette” works just like any other California roulette game – you draw a card from a deck of 38 cards, and it determines which roulette number was the winner.
Conclusion
California is a big state for gamblers – especially casino gamblers and poker players. You can’t find any place to bet on sports here, yet, and online gambling is more-or-less off-limits.
But there are enough casinos in the state that you can easily scratch that itch.
The state laws allow you to gamble even if you’re only 18, but many of the casinos require you to be 21 to gamble as a policy.
Introduction to California Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
California slot machine casino gambling consists of 65 tribal casinos, the third-largest number of casinos in any U.S. state after Nevada and Oklahoma.
I’ve dedicated this weekly series to slot enthusiasts such as yourself as you master casino slots and win your way to success by using this State-By-State Online Resource to improve your slots gambling performance by reviewing your state’s slots gaming industry.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in California*
The minimum legal gambling age in California depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 18 or, if serving alcohol, 21
- Poker Rooms: 18 or, if serving alcohol, 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Slot Machine Private Ownership in California
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in California if it is 25 years old or older.
Gaming Control Board in California
The California Gambling Control Commission supports the regulation of tribal gaming through oversight activities as defined in California’s 61 tribal-state compacts.
Further, the Bureau of Gambling Control within California’s Department of Justice provides state law enforcement authority with jurisdiction over gambling activities.
Non-slots-related gaming control boards include the California Horse Racing Board and the California Lottery Commission.
Casinos in California
California has 65 American Indian tribal casinos, ten racetracks without gaming machines, numerous card rooms also without gaming machines, and cruise ships with onboard casinos to Hawaii, Alaska, and international destinations.
The largest casino in California is San Manuel Casino having 4,800 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Pechanga Resort Casino with 4,000 gaming machines.
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Commercial Casinos in California
There are no commercial casinos with slot machines in California.
Tribal Casinos in California
California’s 65 tribal casinos are:
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- Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Palm Springs, 115 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, 115 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Augustine Casino in Coachella, 125 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Barona Resort & Casino in Lakeside, 15 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Bear River Casino Resort in Loleta, 10 miles south of Eureka;
- Black Oak Casino Resort in Tuolumne, 100 miles southeast of Sacramento.
- Blue Lake Casino Hotel in Blue Lake, 10 miles north of Eureka.
- Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, 35 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Cahuilla Casino Hotel in Anza, 30 miles south of Palm Springs.
- Casino Pauma in Pauma Valley, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Cher-Ae Heights Casino in Trinidad, 25 miles north of Eureka.
- Chicken Ranch Casino in Jamestown, 100 miles southeast of Sacramento.
- Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, 35 miles north of Fresno.
- Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, 40 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.
- Colusa Casino Resort in Colusa, 75 miles north of Sacramento.
- Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley, 115 miles north of San Francisco.
- Desert Rose Casino in Alturas, 100 miles north of Susanville.
- Diamond Mountain Casino Hotel & Brewery in Susanville, 160 miles northeast of Sacramento.
- Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, 60 miles southeast of Fresno.
- Elk Valley Casino in Crescent City, 84 miles north of Eureka.
- Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, 125 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Feather Falls Casino & Lodge in Oroville, 100 miles north of Sacramento.
- Fort Independence Travel Center & Winnedumah Winns Casino in Independence, 90 miles east of Fresno.
- Garcia River Casino in Point Arena, 130 miles north of San Francisco.
- Gold Country Casino Resort in Oroville, 100 miles north of Sacramento.
- Golden Acorn Casino Travel Center in Campo, 40 miles southeast of San Diego.
- Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, 50 miles north of San Francisco.
- Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Sacramento at Fire Mountain in Wheatland, 36 miles north of Sacramento.
- Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Havasu Landing Resort & Casino in Havasu Lake, 200 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Hidden Oaks Casino in Covelo, 150 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort in Jackson, 50 miles southeast of Sacramento.
- Jamul Casino in Jamul, 10 miles east of San Diego.
- Konocti Vista Casino Resort in Lakeport, 120 miles north of San Francisco.
- Lucky 7 Casino Hotel in Smith River, 100 miles north of Eureka.
- Mono Wind Casino in Auberry, 30 miles northeast of Fresno.
- Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Pala Casino Spa and Resort in Pala, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, located 50 miles north of San Diego.
- Pit River Casino in Burney, 190 miles north of Sacramento.
- Quechan Casino Resort in Winterhaven, 170 miles east of San Diego.
- Rain Rock Casino in Yreka, 250 miles north of Sacramento.
- Red Earth Casino in Salton Sea Beach, 114 miles southeast of Riverside.
- Red Fox Casino in Laytonville, 150 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Red Hawk Casino in Placerville, 40 miles east of Sacramento.
- Redwood Hotel Casino in Klamath, 65 miles north of Eureka.
- River Rock Casino in Geyserville, 75 miles north of San Francisco.
- Robinson Rancheria Resort, Casino & Bingo in Nice, 115 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Rolling Hills Casino Resort in Corning, 115 miles north of Sacramento.
- Running Creek Casino in Upper Lake, 120 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- San Manuel Casino in Highland, located 65 miles east of Los Angeles.
- San Pablo Lytton Casino in San Pablo, 15 miles north of Oakland.
- Sherwood Valley Casino in Willits, 130 miles north of San Francisco.
- Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto, 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, 130 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Sycuan Casino & Resort in El Cajon, 10 miles east of San Diego.
- Table Mountain Casino in Friant, 15 miles north of Fresno.
- Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, 50 miles south of Fresno.
- Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, 35 miles northeast of Sacramento.
- Tortoise Rock Casino in Twentynine Palms, 125 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Twin Pine Casino & Hotel in Middletown, 100 miles north of San Francisco.
- Valley View Casino & Hotel in Valley Center, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine, 25 miles east of San Diego.
- Wanaaha Casino in Bishop, 130 miles northeast of Fresno.
- Win-River Casino & Resort in Redding, 163 miles north of Sacramento.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying California slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering California is:
- North: Oregon Slots
- East: Nevada Slots and Arizona Slots
- South: The country of Mexico
- West: Pacific Ocean
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to California.
Our California Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in California? If so, join our California slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group community.
There, you can meet online and privately share your slots experiences with local slots enthusiasts about playing slot machines in California. Join us!
Payouts and Returns in California
Tribal-state gaming compacts negotiated between the state of California and its 61 tribes do not include theoretical payout limits nor require public reporting of return statistics.
Summary of California Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
California slot machine casino gambling consists of 65 tribal casinos generally located on remote tribal reservations throughout the state.
Annual Progress in California Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Over the last year, Thunder Valley Casino Resort has fallen from second-largest casino to fourth largest after San Manuel Casino, Pechanga Resort Casino, and Graton Resort & Casino.
Also, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain has, at long last, opened.
Finally, one casino has permanently closed and another underwent a name change:
- Lucky Bear Casino in Hoopa has permanently closed.
- Paiute Palace Casino in Bishop is now the Wanaaha Casino.
Related Posts from Professor Slots
Other States from Professor Slots
- Previous: Arkansas Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Colorado Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC