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Casinos in California

Jane Shaw Written By Jane Shaw
Last Updated on 24.04.2025

When it comes to brick-and-mortar casino gaming in California, there’s certainly no shortage of options available with more than 80 tribal casino venues, numerous cardrooms throughout the state, plus a variety of cruise ship casinos. On this page we’ll explore the history and legal situation, alongside highlighting where you can find the top land-based casinos.

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California Casino Map – List of Gambling Locations

California Casino Map

The Best Casino in California

California Best Casinos
Chumash Casino Resort
Website: www.chumashcasino.com
Phone: (800) 248-6274
Address: 3400 CA-246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Slots: 2300
Table Games: 60
Poker Tables: 12
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: No
Attractions: Yes

The Biggest Casinos in California

California Biggest Casino
Chumash Casino Resort
Website: www.chumashcasino.com
Phone: (800) 248-6274
Address: 3400 CA-246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Slots: 2300
Table Games: 60
Poker Tables: 12
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: No
Attractions: Yes
Barona Casino
Website: www.barona.com
Phone: (619) 443 2300
Address: 1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd , San Diego , 92040 , USA
Slots: 2,250
Table Games: 75
Poker Tables: 15
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: No
Attractions: Yes

Are There Indian Casinos in California

Indian casinos are classed as gambling establishments that are built on tribal or native lands, and these entities operate according to different tax and regulatory rules in comparison with commercial entities. As we’ve already touched on, there are a huge number of Indian casinos operational in California. At last count, 67 were licensed and open, and there’s the potential for this to increase in the future.

California Indian Casino
Jackson Rancheria
Website: www.jacksoncasino.com
Phone: (800) 822-9466
Address: 12222 New York Ranch Rd , Jackson , 95642 , USA
Slots: 1,500
Table Games: 28
Poker Tables: 0
Min Bet: $0.01
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: No
Attractions: No

Racinos

Racinos are defined as gambling establishments that combine both casino facilities and a functional racetrack, and there are hundreds of such locations dotted throughout the US. However, none of these will be found in California, which continues to be dominated by tribal resorts and cruise ship casinos.

Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in California?

The coastal sunshine state of California hugs the West Coast tightly in the US, and it should therefore come as no surprise that the state is home to 18 cruise ship casinos. These are resorts based at harbors and the waterside, and they offer a truly unique and exotic gambling experience to punters. Read on to review the full range of cruise ship casinos in CA.

Full California Casino List

In the following list, we’ll take a closer look at gambling cities throughout the state. We’ll also check out the distances between some of these resorts along the west coast. We’ve only included land-based establishments, so you won’t find the best online casinos in CA listed below.

Choose a City
Choose a Type
All Casinos in Fresno
Sycuan Casino Resort 5469 Casino Way, Fresno, 92019 Indian Casino
Table Mountain 8184 Table Mountain Rd, Friant, 93626 Indian Casino
Mono Wind Casino Rancheria Ln, Auberry, 37302 Indian Casino
Wanaaha Casino 2742 N Sierra Hwy, Bishop, 93514 Indian Casino Fresno
Yokut Gas Casino 17051 Jersey Ave, Lemoore, 93245 Indian Casino
Tachi Palace 17225 Jersey Ave, Lemoore, 93245 Indian Casino
Eagle Mountain Casino 681 S Reservation Rd, Porterville, 93257 Indian Casino
All Casinos in Los Angeles
Crown Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Los Angeles, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Crystal Serenity 11755 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 900, Los Angeles, 90025-1550 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Crystal Symphony Casino 11755 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 900, Los Angeles, 90025-1550 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Emerald Princess Santa Clarita 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage 32-250 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, 92270 Indian Casino
Agua Caliente Palm Springs 401 East Amado Road, Palm Springs, 92262 Indian Casino Los Angeles
Augustine Casino 84-001 Avenue 54, Coachella, 92236 Indian Casino
Soboba Casino 22777 Soboba Rd, San Jacinto, 92583 Indian Casino
Chumash Casino Resort 3400 CA-246, Santa Ynez, 93460 Indian Casino
Fantasy Springs Casino 84245 Indio Springs Dr, Indio, 92203 Indian Casino
Havasu Landing , Havasu Lake, 92363 Indian Casino
Tortoise Rock 73829 Baseline Rd, Twentynine Palms, 92277 Indian Casino
All Casinos in Redding
Winnedumah Winns 135 US-395, Redding, 93526 Indian Casino
Win-River Resort & Casino 2100 Redding Rancheria Rd, Redding, 96001 Indian Casino
Diamond Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Pacific Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats Redding
Caribbean Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Dawn Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Golden Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Royal Princess 24305 Town Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Sapphire Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Star Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Coral Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Island Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Ruby Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Sea Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Grand Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Regal Princess 24305 Towne Center Drive Suite 200, Santa Clarita, 91355-1359 Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Lucky Bear 12510 CA-96, Hoopa, 95546 Indian Casino
Desert Rose 901 Co Rd 56, Alturas, 96101 Indian Casino
Diamond Mountain Casino, Hotel & Brewery 900 Skyline Rd, Susanville, 96130 Indian Casino
Elk Valley 2500 Howland Hill Rd, Crescent City, 95531 Indian Casino
Lucky 7 Casino 350 N Indian Rd, Smith River, 95567 Indian Casino
Pit River 20265 Tamarack Ave, Burney, 96013 Indian Casino
Rain Rock Casino 777 Casino Way, Yreka, 96097 Indian Casino
Redwood Casino 171 Klamath Blvd, Klamath, 95548 Indian Casino
Rolling Hills Casino 2655 Everett Freeman Way, Corning, 96021 Indian Casino
Bear River 11 Bear Paws Way, Loleta, 95551 Indian Casino
Cher-Ae Heights 27 Scenic Dr, Trinidad, 95570 Indian Casino
All Casinos in Sacramento
Blue Lake Casino Hotel 777 Casino Way, Sacramento, 95525 Indian Casino
Colusa Casino 3770 CA-45, Sacramento, 95932 Indian Casino
Red Hawk 1 Red Hawk Pkwy, Sacramento, 95667 Indian Casino
Thunder Valley Lincoln 1200 Athens Ave, Sacramento, 95648 Indian Casino
Chicken Ranch 16929 Chicken Ranch Rd, Jamestown, 95327 Indian Casino Sacramento
Cache Creek Casino Resort 14455 CA-16, Brooks, 95606 Indian Casino
Hard Rock Sacramento 3317 Forty Mile Rd, Wheatland, 95692 Indian Casino
Harrah’s Northern California 4640 Coal Mine Rd, Ione, 95640 Indian Casino
Konocti Vista Casino Hotel 2755 Mission Rancheria Rd, Lakeport, 95453 Indian Casino
Running Creek Casino 635 State Hwy 20, Upper Lake, 95485 Indian Casino
Sherwood Valley 100 Kawi Pl, Willits, 95490 Indian Casino
Twin Pine Casino 22223 Highway 29, Middletown, 95461 Indian Casino
Black Oak Casino 19400 Tuolumne Road North, Tuolumne, 95379 Indian Casino
Coyote Valley Casino 455 Coyote Valley Blvd, Redwood Valley, 95470 Indian Casino
Feather Falls 3 Alverda Dr, Oroville, 95966 Indian Casino
Gold Country Casino Olive Hwy, Oroville, 95965 Indian Casino
Garcia River Casino 22215 Windy Hollow Rd, Point Arena, 95468 Indian Casino
Hidden Oaks 77285 Commercial St, Covelo, 95428 Indian Casino
Red Fox 200 Cahto Dr, Laytonville, 95454 Indian Casino
River Rock 3250 CA-128, Geyserville, 95441 Indian Casino
Robinson Rancheria 1545 State Hwy 20, Nice, 95464 Indian Casino
All Casinos in San Diego
Barona Casino 1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd, San Diego, 92040 Indian Casino
Cahuilla Casino 52702 CA-371, San Diego, 92539 Indian Casino
Casino Pauma 777 Pauma Reservation Rd, San Diego, 92061 Indian Casino San Diego
Golden Acorn 1800 Golden Acorn Way, San Diego, 91906 Indian Casino
Harrah’s Casino Resort Southern California 777 S Resort Dr, San Diego, 92082 Indian Casino
Jamul Casino 14145 Campo Rd, San Diego, 91935 Indian Casino
La Jolla Trading Post 22003 Highway 76, San Diego, 92061 Indian Casino
Morongo Casino and Hotel 49500 Seminole Dr, San Diego, 92230 Indian Casino
Pala Casino 11154 HWY 76, Pala, CA, San Diego, 92059 Indian Casino
Pechanga Casino 45000 Pechanga Pkwy, San Diego, 92592 Indian Casino
Quechan Casino Hotel 525 Algodones Rd, San Diego, 92283 Indian Casino
Red Earth Casino 3089 Norm Niver Rd, San Diego, 92274 Indian Casino
Spotlight 29 46-200 Harrison Pl, San Diego, 92236 Indian Casino
Valley View Casino 16300 Nyemii Pass Pl, San Diego, 92082 Indian Casino
Viejas Casino Hotel 5000 Willows Rd, San Diego, 91901 Indian Casino
Jackson Rancheria 12222 New York Ranch Rd, Jackson, 95642 Indian Casino
All Casinos in San Francisco
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino 777 San Manuel Blvd, San Francisco, 92346 Indian Casino
San Pablo Lytton 13255 San Pablo Ave, San Pablo, 94806 Indian Casino
Graton Casino Hotel 288 Golf Course Dr W, Rohnert Park, 94928 Indian Casino

Expected New Casinos

Numerous tribal casino projects are in the pipeline, including the Cloverdale Rancheria Resort & Casino in Sonoma County which has already been approved. Meanwhile, the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians in California plan to build a 400,000 square-foot casino in Vallejo, although this project has faced stiff opposition, with approval temporarily rescinded.

Gambling in California

California Gambling Topics Gambling Facts for California
Number of Casinos 85
Casino Types Indian, Cruise ship casinos
Casino Games Offered Slots, Table Games, Poker Tournaments, Blackjack, Lottery Games,
Age 18+ (21+ to bet with cash on-site)
Smoking Yes/No*, *Smoking inside is prohibited but there are external smoking areas in each California casino
Drinking Yes/No*, *Drinking while playing is allowed, but no free alcoholic drinks are served
Opening Hours
24/7, Some casinos are closed on Easter and Christmas. Check the brands pages for more info
Betting Limit $100 to $5,000 (depending on your chosen location)
Taxation of Winnings Yes/No, for additional details click here

Casino Games in California

In the following section, we’ll review the full range of legal games available in California, taking into account both Indian and cruise ship resorts dotted across the length and breadth of the state. So, let’s get started!

Slot
  • Colossal Wizards
  • Li’l Red
  • Spartacus Gladiator of Rome
  • Forbidden Dragons
  • Queen of the Wild II
  • Lazer Lock Ice Sapphire
  • 81,180+ Slot Machines
  • Types: Traditional Reel, Video Reel, Video Poker Free Slot Tournaments
  • Slot Providers: WMS Gaming
Casino Poker
  • Let it Ride
  • Flop Poker
  • Limit Hold ‘em
  • No Limit Hold ’em

Additional Details There is a total of 334 poker tables located across all California casinos

Cash Poker & Tournaments
  • Crazy 4 Poke
  • Fortune Pai Gow
  • Sharp Shooter
  • Razz, Limit Hold ‘em
  • NL Hold ‘em
Roulette
  • American Roulette
  • European Roulette

Additional Details No French roulette iterations are available

Blackjack
  • Any 2 Card Blackjack
  • Spanish 21
  • Hand-Held Deck
  • Shoe Game
  • Single Deck
  • Double Deck

Additional Details You Can Do Side Bets: Match The Dealer 21+3, dealer is required to stand on a soft 17

Dice Games
  • Craps
  • Sic Bo
  • Hazard
  • Chuck-A-Luck
Lottery Games
  • Keno
  • 75 Ball Bingo
  • 90 Ball Bingo
  • Daily Lotto Draws
  • Mini Lottos
  • Scratchers
Other Games
  • Electronic Craps
  • Electronic Blackjack
  • Electronic Roulette
  • Electronic 3-Card Poker
Sports Betting
  • N/A

Additional Details Sports betting not currently legalised in CA.

Gambling Legal Situation in California

  1. When was casino gambling legalized in California? Gambling resorts were first licensed and regulated by the state of California in 1984, with federal regulatory measures for native casinos following in 1988.
  2. Online gambling Online gambling has yet to be legalized in California, while the state’s legislature has abandoned its most recent plans to follow this path.
  3. What is the legal gambling age in California? The minimum gambling age in California is 18, although some casino locations require entrants to be 21 or older.
  4. Can you smoke in California casinos? Smoking is generally prohibited in CA casino resorts, although most sites have designated outdoor areas in which people can indulge this pastime.
  5. Horse racing / Off-Track betting Horse and harness racing are permitted in CA, although betting activity is restricted to pari-mutuel wagering online. Off-track betting is completely prohibited.
  6. Dog racing / Off-Track betting This represents something of a grey area in the state of California, with no existing laws to specify the legal position relating to on or off-track dog racing.
  7. CA charitable gaming Under state laws in CA, legal charitable gambling in California refers to games of bingo in which the proceeds go directly to a charity or non-profit organization.
  8. Other legal restrictions Aside from the rules and regulations already mentioned in this section, there are no additional legal restrictions in the state of California.

Taxation of Winnings

All winnings in California are subject to a 24% federal tax levy, aside from any funds generated from lottery participation. If you’re winnings exceed $5,000, you may be required to pay an additional state tax based on local authority income rates.

Prize ($) California Gross Income Tax (%)
$1 – $,5000 (aside from lottery winnings) (any prize) 24% Federal tax levy

California Gambling Laws

  • Casino Gambling 1984: Casinos on Indian reservations are permitted, while all games outside of these locations (outside of slots) cannot be used for gambling.
  • Gov’t Code (1984): This law legalized the state lottery in 1984, while further amendments have required 34% of lottery revenue to be spent on public education.
  • Chapter 432 Assembly Bill (1933): This historical law legalized pari-mutuel horse and harness race betting in the state of CA.

History

Outside of market leading gambling states such as Nevada and New Jersey, California boasts some of the most progressive gambling laws in North America. This should not come as a major surprise, of course, given the West Coast known as a frontier state that has a long history of regulated (and unregulated) gambling as well as horse racing. Let’s take a look at some of the key historical points, below:

California history image
  • 1848–1855: During the California Gold Rush, gambling became a widespread pastime. San Francisco, in particular, emerged as a major gambling hub, surpassing New Orleans in prominence. Gambling establishments were common, and games like poker and faro were popular among prospectors and settlers.
  • 1909: California enacted laws that criminalized most forms of gambling in 1909, including betting and casino-style games. This legislation aimed to curb the proliferation of gambling activities, though underground gambling persisted.
  • 1984: Voters approved Proposition 37 in 1984, establishing the California State Lottery. The lottery was introduced to generate additional funding for public education and marked the state’s first major legal gambling initiative since the early 20th-century bans.
  • 1987: On February 25, 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, affirming that states could not regulate gambling activities on tribal lands if such gaming was permitted elsewhere in the state. This landmark decision paved the way for the expansion of tribal gaming operation.
  • 2000: California voters passed Proposition 1A in March 2000, amending the state constitution to allow federally recognized tribes to operate slot machines, lottery games, and banked and percentage card games on Indian lands. This measure led to the establishment of numerous tribal casinos across the state..

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

While there have been expectations that California will legalize online casino gambling and sports betting for years now, this is unlikely in the near-term. Legislation proposals have always faced stiff opposition and ultimately, failure, particularly given concerns over the potential impact on tribal casinos. For any such legislatory changes to be approved, there must be complete agreement among all the California tribes.

Senate Bill 549, which came into effect on January 1, 2025, has also sparked casino war between tribal casinos and card casinos in California. The dispute centers on “house-banked” games like blackjack, poker, and baccarat. Tribes claim exclusive rights to these under Proposition 1A, approved by voters in 2000. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant repurcussions for cardrooms in California.

FAQ

How much taxes do casinos in California pay?

In the case of Indian casinos, these entities typically don’t pay corporation tax to the state (while those who live and work on the reservation are also not required to pay income tax). However, cruise ship resorts will pay the basic rate of corporation and sales tax during each financial year.

How much money is generated by California gambling each year?

The Californian industry generated an estimated $8 billion after winnings in 2018/19, with this number down marginally by around $330 million on the previous years’ figures.

What California casinos give free alcohol?

While some Indian casinos may well offer free drinks and food as part of special packages, as a general rule you’ll have to pay for these items when visiting an Indian or cruise ship casino.

What casinos in California have craps?

Out of CA’s 88 casino resorts, 76 currently offer craps and similar dice games such as Sic Bo, Hazard and the underrated Chuck-A-Luck.

What casinos in California have roulette?

On a similar note, 76 of the state’s 88 Indian and cruise ship casinos offer either American or European roulette. However, the state does not host games of French roulette at all.

Which Tribes own casinos in California?

There are 64 distinct and separate tribes operating in California, with the state’s 69 resorts shared amongst this groups. You can review this further by checking out the full list of Indian casinos in the region.