The Southern California Casino
Wait a second, isn't gambling illegal in California?
Not exactly. If you're a gambling fiend, you can get your fix here, but it won't be the same as what you'd find in Vegas or Atlantic City. But it won't be that different either. First off, you can always bet on horses at the track. You can also find yourself some good old fashioned card tables and even those incessantly jingling slot machines.
The Southern California casino isn't the same thing as a commercial casino; the casinos here are actually tribal government casinos. While that sounds like it might be somehow less exciting, the difference between the two is becoming increasingly marginal. More and more of Southern California's tribal casinos, also known as Indian casinos, are mimicking the flashy Vegas casino resort model. Some of the newer Indian casinos feature resort-style hotel rooms, spa-like pool facilities, live entertainment, fine dining and even a few high-end shops, in addition to the usual slot machines, table games and poker tournaments.
You should keep in mind that the density of the Southern California casino isn't the same as in Las Vegas, Atlantic City or Reno. In other words, we have no "strip." Most of the time, you won't find one Southern California casino right next to another one, so you'll have to pick a place and stay there.
If you want to know why Indian gaming is allowed in California, you can look up the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Passed by Congress in 1988, the IGRA sets the tone for future tribal gaming activities. The act defines three classes of games as well as a separate regulatory framework for each class. Class III gaming includes the games associated with casinos, things like blackjack, craps, slots, etc. A tribe wanting to host Class III games has to jump through more hoops, including the arrangement of a special agreement or compact with the state government. California's Division of Gambling Control regulates state gaming activities, inclusive of card rooms and tribal casinos.
According to the Division's most updated list, dated March of 2005, Southern California has a total of 30,839 slot machines spread out among 22 casinos. You can find a list of these casinos below.
California card rooms (which don't have slot machines) must have their game rules approved by the Division of Gambling Control. If you're a card player, go here to find card rooms and read up on their game rules.
Where to Find a Southern California Casino with Slot Machines
Looking for a Southern California casino with slot machines? Here's a list of them, listed by county:
Imperial County
Paradise Casino California
Slot Machines, Bingo, Poker,Blackjack
450 Quechan Drive
Winterhaven, CA 92283
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Riverside County
Agua Caliente Casino
Slot machines, video poker, gaming tables, dining, lounge, valet parking
32-250 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
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Augustine Casino
Slot machines, table games, dining, live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
84-001 Avenue 54
Coachella, CA 92236
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Cahuilla Creek Casino
Slot machines, gaming tables (three-card poker and blackjack), 24-hour cafe.
52702 US Highway 371
Anza, CA 92539
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Fantasy Springs Hotel & Casino
Slot machines, table games, poker room, bingo, Off-track betting, dinning, bar, hotel rooms, golf, poolside lounging
84245 Indio Springs Dr
Indio, CA 92203
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Morongo Casino Resort and Spa
slot machines, table games, poker room, bingo, hotel, fine and casual dining, nightclub, spa, banquet rooms
49500 Seminole Dr
Cabazon, CA 92230
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Pechanga Casino
Slot machines, table games, poker room, hotel, spa and health club, shopping, fine and casual dining, dance club, lounge
45000 Pechanga Parkway
Formerly Pala Road
Temecula, CA 92592
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Soboba Casino
Slot machines, table games, live entertainment, dining, sports lounge
23333 Soboba Rd.
San Jacinto CA, 92588
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Spa Resort Casino
Slot machines, gaming tables, hotel rooms, spa and fitness center, dining
401 E. Amado Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
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Spotlight 29 Casino
Slot machines, table games, poker room, tournaments, food court, dining, live entertainment
46-200 Harrison Street
Coachella, CA
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San Bernardino County
Havasu Landing Resort and Casino
slot machines, blackjack and 3 card poker, air strip, marina, RV park & campground, mobile home parks, market and deli
Havasu Lake Road
Havasu Lake, CA 92363
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San Manuel Casino
Slot machines, table games, poker room, bingo, buffet, food court, dining
777 San Manuel Blvd
Highland, CA 92346
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San Diego County
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino
1932 Wildcat Canyon Road
Lakeside, CA 92040
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Casino Pauma
Slot machines, table games, poker room, fine and casual dining
777 Pauma Reservation Road
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
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Golden Acorn
Slot machines, table games, poker tables, restaurant and deli
1800 Golden Acorn Way
Campo, CA 91906
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Harrah's Rincon
Slot machines, table games, poker room, hotel, spa, fine and casual dining, lounge, events center, meeting and banquet rooms
777 Harrah's Rincon Way
Valley Center, CA 92082
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La Jolla Trading Post and Casino
Slot machines, table games, dining
22000 Hwy. 76
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
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Pala Casino
Slot machines, table games, restaurants, lounges, live entertainment, events center, hotel, spa, meeting rooms
11154 Highway 76
Pala, CA 92059
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Santa Ysabel Resort and Casino
Slot machines, table games, dining, bar and lounge
25575 Highway 79
Santa Ysabel, California 92070
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Sycuan Indian Gaming Center
Slot machines, table games, bingo, live poker events, dining, buffet, hotel rooms (offsite), tennis
5469 Casino Way
El Cajon, California 92019
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Valley View Casino
Slot machines, table games, buffet, dining, non-smoking bar, live music
16300 Nyemii Pass Rd.
Valley Center
CA 92082
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Viejas Casino
Slot machines, table games, poker, bingo, shopping (offsite), dining, lounge, entertainment
5000 Willows Rd.
Alpine, CA 91901
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Santa Barbara County
Chumash Casino Resort
Slot machines, table games, poker room, no-limit hold'em tournaments, hotel rooms, fine and casual dining, live music, day spa
3400 East Highway 246
Santa Ynez, CA 93460-9405
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