• Best California Casino Resorts Reservations
• Casino Resorts In California
• Best Northern California Casino Resorts
• Best California Casino Resorts All-inclusive

Note from 10Best:Someday, we'll all be ready to pack our suitcases again and head out on our next adventures. In the meantime, we'll keep supporting the places that inspire us. Please check individual hotel websites for the latest updates.

Off I-10 just 10 miles east of Palm Springs, California, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa offers low-key, comfortable accommodations combined with a fast-paced, fun-loving atmosphere. Easy to search resort directory featuring 6 California Casino Resorts. Book the perfect California vacation, family reunion or business event by browsing a complete list of Casino Resorts featuring detailed property descriptions, reviews, photos, video, rates, number of rooms, amenities, activities and much more. When guests of the Pechanga Resort aren’t playing on the largest casino floor in California, they can relax in one of 1,090 luxury guest rooms, swim in the 4.5-acre pool complex (including two.

• Mohegan Sun
  Uncasville, Connecticut

  The Mohegan Sun comprises three hotel towers with a combined 1,563 guestrooms and suites. Mohegan tribal stories come to life throughout the hotel’s design. Rooms are outfitted with the latest technologies, like lightning fast WiFi and intelligent thermostats. Other amenities include a fitness center, pool and Mandara Spa.
  Photo courtesy of Mohegan Sun

• Casino Del Sol
  Tucson

  This resort in the high Sonoran Desert of Arizona offers 215 guest rooms and suites, and amenities like welcome fruit plates, a swimming pool with two poolside hot tubs, outdoor fire pits, the full-service Hiapsi Spa and an 18-hole championship golf course.
  Photo courtesy of Casino Del Sol

• Pechanga Resort Casino
  Temecula, California

  When guests of the Pechanga Resort aren’t playing on the largest casino floor in California, they can relax in one of 1,090 luxury guest rooms, swim in the 4.5-acre pool complex (including two waterslides, swim-up bar and a beach-entry pool), unwind at Spa Pechanga or grab a bite to eat at one of a dozen restaurants on property.
  Photo courtesy of Pechanga Resort Casino

• Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
  Hollywood, Florida

  The 469 suites at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida feature signature Hard Rock amenities, like Sleep Like a Rock bedding, guitar rentals and the exclusive Sound of Your Stay audio program.
  Photo courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

• Encore Boston Harbor Resort
  Everett, Massachusetts

  Rooms at the Encore Boston Harbor come equipped with flatscreen TVs, high-speed wireless internet access, Wynn Dream Beds with 507-thread-count sheets, spacious marble bathrooms with separate shower and soaking tub, and voice-activated lighting and temperature controls.
  Photo courtesy of Encore Boston Harbor Resort

• French Lick Resort & West Baden Springs Hotel
  French Lick, Indiana

  Established in 1845, French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana has undergone extensive refurbishment and restoration to make it look much like it did during its original golden days. For some 200 years, travelers have been coming to the area for the medicinal Pluto Mineral Springs, which guests of the resort can still enjoy today, along with modern amenities like high speed internet, a 27,000-square-foot spa and an 18-hole Donald Ross golf course.
  Photo courtesy of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

• WinStar World Casino and Resort
  Thackerville, Oklahoma

  Guests at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Oklahoma get to stay just steps from one of the world’s biggest casinos, with nearly 400,000 square feet of gaming space. Amenities include a resort pool with private cabanas, an 18-hole championship golf course and the full-service Spa at WinStar.
  Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

• IP Casino Resort Spa
  Biloxi, Mississippi

  This AAA Four Diamond property on the Mississippi Gulf Coast towers 32 stories over Biloxi’s Back Bay. The hotel offers more than 1.000 rooms and suites, a resort pool with a beach-type entrance, fitness center, spa and a 70,000-square-foot casino.
  Photo courtesy of IP Casino Resort Spa

• Foxwoods Resort Casino
  Mashantucket, Connecticut

  Staying at Foxwoods means staying at one of four hotels: the Grand Pequot Tower, Great Cedar Hotel, Two Trees Inn or the Fox Tower. This range of choices means there’s a room for every taste and budget, all offering convenient access to the resort’s shopping, dining and entertainment offerings.
  Photo courtesy of Foxwoods Resort Casino

• The Venetian & The Palazzo
  Las Vegas

  Guests at The Venetian & The Palazzo in Las Vegas are greeted by 25-foot-tall Botticino marble columns in the grand lobby. The all-suite sister resorts feature spacious rooms with Italian marble bath tubs, sunken living rooms and 24-hour in-suite dining just steps from everything the Las Vegas Strip has to offer.
  Photo courtesy of The Venetian Resort® Las Vegas

Whether you're gambling in Las Vegas, Atlantic City or somewhere in between, you not only have a choice of where to place your bets but also where to lay your head. These 10 casino hotels offer the best of both–top-notch gaming and excellent amenities.

The top 10 winners in the category Best Casino Hotel are as follows:

1. Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, Connecticut
2. Casino Del Sol - Tucson
3. Pechanga Resort Casino - Temecula, California
4. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Hollywood, Florida
5. Encore Boston Harbor Resort - Everett, Massachusetts
6. French Lick Resort & West Baden Springs Hotel - French Lick, Indiana
7. WinStar World Casino and Resort - Thackerville, Oklahoma
8. IP Casino Resort Spa - Biloxi, Mississippi
9. Foxwoods Resort Casino - Mashantucket, Connecticut
10. The Venetian & The Palazzo - Las Vegas

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

Congratulations to all these winning hotels!

The Experts

Steve Bourie

Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino... Read More

Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino Guide. Published annually since 1992, it is the number one bestselling book in the U.S. on casino gambling and travel. His YouTube channel has more than 28 million views and he offers a free American Casino Guide app for both Android devices and iPhones/iPads.

Steve Bourie

Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino Guide. Published annually since 1992, it is the number one bestselling book in the U.S. on casino gambling and travel. His YouTube channel has more than 28 million views and he offers a free American Casino Guide app for both Android devices and iPhones/iPads.

G. Douglas Dreisbach

G. Douglas Dreisbach is the publisher of Southern... Read More

G. Douglas Dreisbach is the publisher of Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations, a regional gaming and travel magazine offering offering gaming tips, casino reviews, travel recommendations, special offers and more. G&D is considered to be the gaming authority of the region and subscriptions, tips and property reviews are available at GamingandDestinations.com.

G. Douglas Dreisbach

G. Douglas Dreisbach is the publisher of Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations, a regional gaming and travel magazine offering offering gaming tips, casino reviews, travel recommendations, special offers and more. G&D is considered to be the gaming authority of the region and subscriptions, tips and property reviews are available at GamingandDestinations.com.

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic is the Publisher of Casino... Read More

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic is the Publisher of Casino Player magazine and Strictly Slots magazine. Now in its 32nd year, Casino Player has thrived as America’s most popular gambling magazine. Over the decades, millions of gamblers have enjoyed and benefited from Casino Player’s gaming strategies, as well as its ever-changing lifestyle stories. In 1994, Lisa launched its sister publication, Strictly Slots, the nation’s only magazine written exclusively for slots and video poker players. Lisa is an accomplished director specializing in the gaming industry and has more than 35 years of publishing experience.

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic is the Publisher of Casino Player magazine and Strictly Slots magazine. Now in its 32nd year, Casino Player has thrived as America’s most popular gambling magazine. Over the decades, millions of gamblers have enjoyed and benefited from Casino Player’s gaming strategies, as well as its ever-changing lifestyle stories. In 1994, Lisa launched its sister publication, Strictly Slots, the nation’s only magazine written exclusively for slots and video poker players. Lisa is an accomplished director specializing in the gaming industry and has more than 35 years of publishing experience.

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Best California Casino Resorts Reservations

CALIFORNIA LAND BASED GAMBLING

California Indian Casinos

California is home to the largest Indian casinos in the United States. They offer most popular casino games including slots and blackjack.

California Card Rooms

California card rooms are found throughout the state. They offer poker along with Cal games which are variations of Blackjack, Pai Gow, Baccarat and more.

California Race Tracks

There are 4 Race Tracks in California, 3 in Southern California and 1 in Northern Calfornia along with access to online horse racing across the United States.

CALIFORNIA GAMBLING INFO

California is a state of contradictions, at least where gambling is concerned. The state offers multiple types of gambling through legal technicalities. Generally, you can find most types of gambling somewhere within California’s borders.

Below we will break down the specifics so you know how to partake in different gambling activities within the Golden State.

California Sweepstakes Gambling

Online gambling is illegal in California with a few minor exceptions (i.e. horse racing and daily fantasy sports). However, sweepstakes gambling is legal because of a loophole.

Legality Of California Sweepstakes Gambling

Sweepstakes gambling technically does not have you play for real money. Instead, players compete for Sweeps Coins or other digital currencies. You can place money into sweepstakes gambling apps or sites to purchase Gold Coins or other premium currencies, which can be exchanged for other real prizes. But this just isn’t the same as actually playing for real money.

Where To Play

The best sweepstakes sites in California are Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, Funzpoints and Global Poker. Chumba is a phenomenal digital casino featuring hundreds of slot machines and lots of other online games, like electronic blackjack.

Global Poker is an ideal online poker resource that provides two main poker variants: Texas and Omaha Hold’Em. In Global Poker’s case, finding people to play with never takes too long since the site operates almost everywhere in the US. Global Poker’s player pool is quite full.

Until online gambling becomes legal in California, these types of sites are your only choice for online poker and slots games. Since online gambling is becoming legal in other states, California may yet change its stance over the next few years.

California Indian Casino Gambling

In California, tribal gambling enterprises are legal and provide the state government with significant revenue in return, either directly or through ancillary income streams. For instance, someone traveling a great distance to visit a famous casino may also stay at a local hotel, resulting in taxable spending for the state government.

At the time of this writing, there are 63 casinos currently running. These are largely concentrated in both the Riverside and San Diego Counties, which between them include 17 casinos.

Legality Of California Indian Casinos And Gambling Revenue

Tribal casinos are legal in California because of long-standing government pacts between the state government and Indian tribes. Basically, tribal casinos are legal because the casinos are technically not built on state-owned land.

The Indian tribal casinos in California collectively generate over $8 million in annual revenue every year. Casino themes, attractions, and offerings can vary dramatically from place to place. The largest casinos are near 200,000 ft.² and may feature thousands of slot machines in addition to dozens of restaurants and bars. Many of the best casinos also feature hotels with hundreds or thousands of rooms, plus expansive spas.

Games Available

Tribal casinos in California offer three types of games ranging from Class I to Class III. These include but are not limited to:

• Bingo
• Poker
• Lottery games
• Blackjack
• Electronic games
• Roulette

There’s almost always something new to try at these resorts. Most of the Indian casinos in California feature poker tournaments or private games. For example, the Morongo Casino Resort Spa offers private poker tables for high-stakes games or work retreats, which can be reserved ahead of time.

You need to be 21-years-old to enter many (but not all) California Indian casinos since most of them serve alcohol on their premises, even though the legal gambling age is 18.

Where To Play

Some of the best California Indian casinos include:

• Pechanga Resort Casino, with 4,500 slot machines, 20 restaurants/bars, and an expansive hotel with over 1,000 rooms
• Thunder Valley Casino Resort, which features 2,800 slot machines, 114 gaming tables, live poker games, and a 145,000 ft.² space.
• Table Mountain Casino, 20 miles north of Fresno, which features 2,000 gaming machines plus 40 table games
• San Manuel Casino, a former bingo-only casino that now has tons of games, a new hotel, and a spa under construction that is set to be fully completed by 2021.

California Card Rooms

California is home to some of the best card rooms in the entire country. As of 2019, there are 66 card rooms active in the state. An additional 21 have licenses, but not for poker, which is one of the biggest draws for card rooms. All California card rooms are well-regulated to ensure fair play.

You can find most major types of poker within these card rooms, including Texas and Omaha Hold’Em and Seven-Card Stud.

Tournaments

Another big advantage of going to California card rooms is the ability to participate in a wide range of tournaments. For example, The Bicycle Hotel and Casino offers tournaments attached to the World Series of Poker, which normally run from November to December. Other card rooms like California’s Commerce Casino host the LA Poker Classic, which is held from January to March.

Regardless of your skill level, it’s easy to find tons of poker tournaments for beginners and experts and with plenty of prize pools.

Special Games Available

Additionally, most California card rooms include special “Cal Games”, which are variations of regular casino card games that feature rules that are modified to fit within existing California gambling laws. Most California card rooms offer special variants of blackjack, Chinese Poker, Pai Gow, and more.

Where To Play

Some of the best California card rooms include the aforementioned Bicycle Hotel and Casino, the Commerce Casino, Hollywood Park Casino, and Hawaiian Gardens Casino. Most California card rooms are attached to casinos or include hostel. These hotels can be a fantastic base of operations for touring the local area and attractions.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to be 18-years-old or older to play in any California card room. Both Southern California and Northern California have tons of card rooms available. Overall, there are more in the state’s southern counties.

California Race Tracks

California is actually one of the best states for horse racing, especially because it has some of the oldest tracks in the country. The first track was built in 1858. However, these days, there are four main race tracks that host the majority of racing events across the territory.

Casino Resorts In California

Where To Go

• Santa Anita Park, built in 1907, later found a new and permanent home at the border of the San Gabriel Mountains. Famous horses like Seabiscuit and Zenyatta have raced at this track before. Santa Anita Park has a long history of hosting famous World Cups or other tourneys.
• Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, built in 1936, recently hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2017. Beyond horse racing, it’s a big part of the local community since it hosts summer concerts, county fairs, and other local events all the time.
• Golden Gate Fields, built in 1941, features a new tapeta racing surface and an abundance of entertaining and fine dining options. All-American tournaments and breathtaking views of the Bay Area make it a wonderful track to visit at least once.
• Los Alamitos Race Course, an old race track that recently underwent renovation in 2014, is another landmark site. Nighttime Quarter Horse racing and thoroughbred daytime racing are both offered throughout select months of the year, and notable events like local derbies and high-stakes tournaments are commonplace

Legality Of California Horse Race Betting

Horse race betting has been legal in California ever since 1933, though low attendance has caused most tracks, except for the above four, to either collapse or significantly reduce their offerings. Online horse betting is also legal, which is notable since most other online gambling activities are illegal in California.

Horse racing enthusiasts can bet with both straight and exotic-type bets, either on-track or by using online apps. Off-track horse betting is also pretty commonplace throughout the state. You can find casinos, businesses, or even gas stations that allow off-track horse race betting, allowing you to place wagers on horse races that are occurring elsewhere. It’s an ideal solution if you don’t want to use an app, but still want to bet on a race you can’t personally attend. There are 27 satellite locations in total that offer off-track betting to some extent.

Best Northern California Casino Resorts

You have to be 21-years-old to place any horse racing bet, including if you want to use one of the mobile apps. Of the apps, TVG and Twin Spires are particularly good choices, as they feature easy-to-navigate interfaces and 24/7 horserace streaming for both California races and races around the world.

Sign-Up Bonuses For New Players

Both apps feature excellent welcome bonuses. TVG provides a risk-free bet up to $300, while Twin Spires offers its new players $100 in site credit if you wager $500 within the first 30 days of creating your account.

California Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

The daily fantasy sports situation in California is a bit complex. In a nutshell, daily fantasy sports legislation has been in the works since around 2015. However, no bill has been passed, either fully legalizing or outlawing daily fantasy sports operation within the state.

Legality Of California DFS

As a result of the lack of legislation, there isn’t any daily fantasy sports regulation. Also, in the absence of any legislation that explicitly declares DFS illegal, major DFS operators like DraftKings and FanDuel continue to operate within California borders. They do this by referencing a clause in the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Act. In brief, this allows both operators to provide DFS gambling since DFS can technically be seen as a game of skill instead of a game of chance.

Since both DraftKings and FanDuel have offered DFS in California, there have been no major attempts to shut them down or prevent them from operating. Both of these operators have the majority of DFS players shared between them, and the DFS market in California is actually the largest in the US overall.

California has easily over 130,000 DFS players at this time. This number may even grow since there aren’t any taxes, fees, or legal frameworks to regulate DFS operation at this time. Until the California state legislature firmly decides one way or the other whether DFS operation should be legal or illegal, things are likely to remain this way.

Sign-Up Bonuses For New Players

Both DraftKings and FanDuel are excellent DFS operators to go with, but you can actually use both apps. This is recommended since you can try both apps to figure out which interface you like best or which lineups are more to your liking.

Opening bonuses are:

• $500 deposit match for DraftKings and $20 free credit with your first deposit
• $5 and $5 more with your first deposit on FanDuel

The DraftKings bonus is a lot better at first glance. When you dig into both apps, you’ll find that the interfaces for both are pretty similar, with rosters on the right and different selectable sports on the left-hand side of the screen. You’ll be able to choose from all the staple sports like NFL, NBA, MLB, and so on without trouble.

However, FanDuel has a few more sports lines available, like international and championship soccer leagues and European league sports. On the other hand, DraftKings offers WNBA betting.

Both apps are also pretty similar in terms of the bets you can place. All in all, DraftKings and FanDuel are likely to stay legal in California for quite some time, even if legislation trends toward making them illegal over the next few years. Now’s a great time to try both apps out and see which one you like best.

CALIFORNIA GAMBLING FAQ

Best California Casino Resorts All-inclusive

No. This is largely because of disagreements between the tribal casinos and state government. At this time, tribal casinos are looking to monopolize sports betting by limiting it at their brick-and-mortar casinos. Online sports betting is, thus, unlikely to appear in the near future.

The National Indian Gaming Commission regulates most of the tribal casino games, while daily fantasy sports operators aren’t really regulated at all. The California Horse Racing Board takes care of regulating all horse racing activities within the state.

It’s because of anti-gambling legislation that swept across the United States decades ago. In a nutshell, gambling that takes place within games of pure chance is illegal if money is involved. This ostensibly prevents people from being taken advantage of.

Card rooms are legal since players wager against one another instead of the house. Card rooms make a profit by charging players fees to use their facilities.

Through pari-mutuel betting, which means that the tracks take a cut of the winnings from each wager. Again, this keeps this type of wagering legal since players bet against each other.