1. San Manuel Casino
2. Best Indian Casino In California
3. River Rock Casino

California casinos permit gambling and gaming at Indian-owned casinos for adults age 21 and older. Among the casino superlatives are Pechanga in Temecula, a four diamond casino with the largest casino in the Western U.S. Another four diamond resort casino is Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez. Casinoeuro or Euro Best Indian Casinos Southern California Svenska Casino as the Swedish online casino CasinoEuro is called by many Swedes. CasinoEuro belongs to the giant and listed Swedish Betsson but is still one of. Of the 64 casinos in California, 41 of them are located in Northern California. We’re talking about casinos with slot machines. Most of these 41 Indian casinos have table games like blackjack and poker as well. In addition to this list of forty-one casinos, there are numerous card rooms in Nor Cal.

If you’ve just recently become a legal adult, you might wonder where you can go to gamble as an 18-year-old in California. With some exceptions, many legal casinos or card rooms in California will let you enter as soon as you turn 18. The same goes for any online gambling apps, although these are very limited because of California’s strict gambling legislation.

Here we will break down where you can enjoy 18+ gambling in the Golden State.

California Indian Casinos: Gambling Options For 18+

The legal gambling age is 18-years-old on all land under California jurisdiction. Because Indian casinos technically operate on reservation land, they aren’t beholden to California legislation. They can set their own legal gambling age to some extent (with some government oversight). Because of this, some Indian casinos allow anyone 18-years-old or older to enter, while others have a higher minimum of 21-years-old.

The reason for this is that some Indian casinos serve alcohol on open gambling floors or otherwise make it very easy for anyone to obtain alcohol, even while following licensing verification practices. They set their legal entrance ages to 21-years-old to prevent any instances of underage drinking on their premises.

This means it’s important to always double-check whether a tribal casino has a legal age of 18-years-old or 21-years-old before making the trip. Most tribal casinos follow the 21-year-old rule. However, there are more than 20 (out of 63) that currently allow 18-year-olds to enter.

Northern California 18+ Casinos

Northern California casinos are usually based around Sacramento or San Francisco: the two largest metropolitan areas in the top half of the state. These resorts run from large to very small, featuring diverse themes and lots of different gambling activities that range from slot machines to lottery games to blackjack and other electronic games. Most tribal casinos are located in the southern half of the state, but there are still plenty of worthwhile ones to check out north of Fresno.

Here are some of the best Northern California 18+ casinos:

San Manuel Casino

Table Mountain Casino

Just 20 miles north of Fresno, this casino is due for a big renovation over the next few years. For now, it includes several thousand gaming machines and over 40 table games. It also offers 10 poker tables for reserved or spur-of-the-moment Sit’N’Go games. The casino is currently looking into creating an adjacent hotel, but there are plenty of other accommodations nearby as well. Dining and live entertainment activities round out its offerings.

Lucky Bear Casino

A smaller tribal casino totaling 5000 ft.², Lucky Bear is one of the most northern tribal casinos in California. It’s nestled in the beautiful mountains and features dozens of slot machines and other games. It’s an ideal place to gamble and relax while touring the Northern California wilderness or road tripping up the coast.

Elk Valley Casino

This Northern California casino is open 24 hours daily. It features 23,000 ft.² of gaming space, 11 table and poker games, and over 300 distinct gaming machines. These are available alongside a single restaurant for convenient dining access.

Southern California 18+ Casinos

Southern California casinos outnumber their Northern California counterparts by a fair margin, and they’re mostly concentrated around Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Diego. They also include plenty of spas to take advantage of the typically relaxing, sunny Southern California ambiance. Additionally, many of the casinos feature entertainment venues reflecting a focus on the show business industry. These venues often utilize iconography or themes that draw from Hollywood or other iconic neighborhoods.

Here are some of the best Southern California 18+ casinos:

Morongo Casino Resort Spa

This casino is a perfect choice if you want to mix some spa time with your gambling activities. It’s very close to Palm Springs and has over 150,000 ft.² in total with nearly 3,000 slot machines. It also includes a poker room and 13 reserve poker tables for private games, plus a variety of spa and resort amenities like massages services, and pool access.

Tachi Palace Casino Resort

This famous casino is located in Lemoore just south of Central California. It’s one of the best casinos in the region, with over 2,000 slot machines, a seven-table poker room, and a 255-room hotel and spa. Several restaurants and other dining venues nearby make it a great place for general relaxation and vacationing.

Full List of 18+ California Casinos

Sweepstakes Online Casinos In California 18+

There are a few ways you can enjoy 18+ online gambling in California even though the activity is broadly illegal. One way is by using sweepstakes sites. Sweepstakes sites technically don’t have you gamble with real money. Instead, you play with digital Sweeps Coins or other types of fake currency.

Because you aren’t gambling with real money, California’s anti-gambling legislation does not ban the activity. Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots are great examples of online sweepstakes casinos.

LuckyLand Slots offers hundreds of digital slot games if those are your favorite. Chumba Casino, on the other hand, offers a broader online casino experience and provides several options for digital table games. Of course, you have to be 18-years-old or older to sign up for either website.

Sweepstakes Online Poker In California 18+

Sweepstakes poker, which also follows the sweepstakes gaming model, is another option that circumvents anti-gambling legislation in California. Global Poker is really the only option you should consider, as it’s a well-regulated and well-designed website that allows you to find poker games against human opponents any time, all over the world. It’s also legal in most US states.

Global Poker offers two classic poker games: Texas or Omaha Hold’Em. You can purchase digital currency or get free bonus Sweeps Coins just by playing regular poker games. These coins can be redeemed for cash prizes, which adds a little bit of excitement to every game.

Traffic is fairly consistent, so it shouldn’t be difficult to get a game even if you want to play during the middle of the week when most people (in your location) are at work. There are some daily and weekly tournaments offered as well, although the Sit’N’Go format of poker is by far the most common type.

Be aware that poker tables can vary dramatically. Skill level matches are hit or miss, so you might sit down with one game and dominate the competition, only to find yourself drastically outmatched during the next.

See our full Review of Global Poker in California.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) In California 18+

Daily fantasy sports in California is still a gray legal area. In short, daily fantasy sports is neither legal nor illegal because there isn’t any California legislation outright stating either position. Big daily fantasy sports operators like DraftKings and FanDuel have so far managed to continue providing DFS without challenge.

Currently, anti-gambling legislation in California only bans players from wagering real money on games of chance. However, DFS operators claim that fantasy sports is a skill-based wagering activity.

Until California legislation rules one way or the other, both DraftKings and FanDuel are excellent online DFS apps that anyone 18-years-old or older can enjoy.

Signing up for either app is pretty easy, and both providers offer intuitive user interfaces that look remarkably alike when you see them side by side. Both also provide opening bonuses, although DraftKings’ is much better, with a $500 deposit match guarantee and some free site credit.

You’ll also be able to enjoy tons of sports lineups and activities, ranging from major leagues like the NFL or NBA to women’s leagues or international soccer. The apps even have some options for eSports.

California 18+ Gambling FAQ

If you’ve recently turned 18-years-old, be sure to have an up-to-date version of your driver’s license or government-issued ID.

Yes. However, in California, the only online gambling apps that are legal are for daily fantasy sports and horse racing. These apps will ask for your date of birth and your Social Security number to verify your information before allowing you to make an account.

No. Sports betting currently isn’t legal anywhere in the state. However, tribal organizations may bring this to their brick-and-mortar casinos in the near future.

Not likely. The law is there to prevent underage drinkers from gaining access alcohol, not necessarily to stop them from gambling.

There are slightly more in Southern California. In general, you’ll find more casinos or card rooms around big cities anywhere in the state.

California is the state where you will find more than 60 casinos combining 70,000 slot machines and 2,000 table games on their premises. If that doesn’t make it one of the best gambling destinations, then I don’t know what will. The list of casinos in California is full of luxurious properties like Pechanga Resort Casino, San Manuel Casino, and Chumash Casino Resort. It may be overwhelming to decide which ones to visit to place your bet. And that is why we are here with this simple guide to the best California casinos where the action never stops! Read on and decide where you are heading off first.

1. Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore

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Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino has become one of the most popular Indian casinos in California with its huge 195,000 square feet of gaming space.

It has more than 2000 gaming machines that combine to offer exciting slots, poker, bingo, and table games. The property is proud to offer all the fun of Las Vegas, minus its crowd and hassle. The highlight of its table game room is a Texas Hold ‘Em in a variety of limit and no-limit structures. With its entire third floor dedicated to slots, you are guaranteed to win big when visiting Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino.

2. San Manuel Casino, Highland

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San Manuel Casino ranks on top of the list of the best casinos in Southern California where different themed sections are ready to welcome you.

The Rockin’ Casino area here will give you a chance to play over 900 latest slot machines and 16 table games. Its Blazing 7s Blackjack Arena is the place to experience Blackjack like never before. And its Asian-inspired Lotus 8 Palace will steal your heart with slot machines and classic casino table games. Keep in mind that you must be 21 years or older to enter this Californian casino.

3. Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula

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Pechanga Resort Casino is one of the largest casinos in California as its 200,000 square feet of gaming space is full of 5,000 slot machines.

The Las Vegas-style gaming machines and over 130 state-of-the-art table games attract thousands of visitors each year. You will also find an off-track betting facility along with the latest 700-seat bingo area here. And if you are an experienced player, then the majestic 4,000-square-foot High Limit salon is the perfect place that is specially designed for you! Offering the best selection of all your favorites, Pechanga Resort Casino is everything a gambling enthusiast would want.

4. Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort, Jackson

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Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is the perfect place to play, stay, and dine to your heart’s content.

When a casino is open 24 hours a day with more than 1,700 slot and video machines, you can easily gamble the night away. It also has 32 gaming tables along with 6 poker tables featuring Texas Hold 'Em, Blackjack, and Pai Gow to make the best of your visit. Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort claims to have more Mega Jackpot winners than any casinos in Northern California. So, get ready to win big when here!

5. San Pablo Lytton Casino, San Pablo

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The Native American San Pablo Lytton Casino is known for its gambling hall where the action never stops.

There are over 1,500 themed gaming machines on the premises where unique 88 Fortunes, Balck Diamond, Crystal Star, Ice on Fire, Hot Shot, Red Hot Tamale, Super Jackpot, Solar Disc, Smokin Hot Stuff, Wild Pride, Wheel of Fortune, and Video Mega Bucks can be enjoyed. With so much to offer, San Pablo Lytton Casino has become the go-to place when it comes to gambling in California. You can also consider being a member of their Players Advantage Club to get more rewards and benefits.

6. Rolling Hills Casino and Resort, Corning

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Rolling Hills Casino and Resort is one of the few casinos in California where traditional as well as modern games create a perfect balance for players of all types.

If you are the one interested in slots, then its 800+ slot machines will welcome you to choose from the best. Be it interactive video games or video poker machines or even traditional handle pulls to play, this Californian casino boasts of all things exciting. And when it comes to table games, then Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, Three-Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold ’em are some of the choices at Rolling Hills Casino and Resort.

7. Cache Creek Casino Resort, Brooks

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Cache Creek Casino Resort opened its doors in 1985 and is proud of offering an unparalleled casino resort experience ever since.

Even though it started as a small bingo hall, its 2004 renovations have established Cache Creek Casino as one of the best destination resorts in the region. When it comes to gambling the night away, this property will give you a chance to choose from over 2,300 slot machines, 120 table games, and a 14 table poker room. It also has a separate non-smoking area where 300 lot machines are placed. If this does not sound fun to you, then what else will?

8. Black Oak Casino Resort, Tuolumne

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A sprawling 50,000-square feet of the gaming floor has become the identity of the Black Oak Casino Resort in Tuolumne.

It has over a thousand slot machines where you can bet from as low as a penny and can go as high as USD 100. When it comes to table games, its 25 action-packed tables have Double Deck and Buster Blackjack, Pai Gow, and many more to choose from. A separate smoke-free poker room with No-Limit Texas Hold’em is always bustling with gambling enthusiasts. Visit Black Oak Casino Resort and you can also be a part of their exciting weekly promotions and tournaments.

9. Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa

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Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa is rightfully one of the top-rated casinos in California, dedicated to an exciting Indian gaming experience.

The retro-1960s interior will take you back in time. Morongo is also proud to have the Las Vegas-style games right on the property. Its main casino floor spans over 148,000 square feet and has more than 200 slot machines and table games. You can choose from blackjack, four-card poker, pai gow poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'Em, mini-baccarat, Mystery Card Roulette, and three-card poker. If you are looking to place your bet higher, then the high-limit area on the premises is open for you.

10. Pala Casino Spa & Resort, Pala

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Pala Casino Spa & Resort is a popular sophisticated getaway when you are looking forward to combining leisure and entertainment.

It has become one of the popular casinos in San Diego, California with more than 2,000 state-of-the-art latest slots and video machines. The combination of 78 table games and an 8 table poker room is popular for hosting championship tournaments and live plays. If you are interested in the high limit section, then Blackjack and EZ Midi-Baccarat with bets that can go as high as USD 5,000 are here.

11. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio

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Fantasy Springs Resort Casino was opened in 1991 and was refurbished in 2000 to cater to thousands of visitors it welcomes annually.

This place is proud to offer the best rewards and perks to players than any other desert casino around. With the newest hottest slots that are more than 2,00 and exciting action-packed table games that are over 40, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is the place to enjoy all your gambling fantasies. Keep in mind that this gaming destination in California allows only 21 and above to play on the premises.

12. Harrah's Resort Southern California, Valley Center

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Harrah's Resort Southern California is the place for the ultimate gambling experience where winnings are plenty.

Known to be one of the most popular Indian casinos in Southern California, Harrah's has 59,000 square-foot casino floor space. This is where you will find more than a thousand reel slots and video slots along with a plethora of single and multi-level progressives. This property also claims to have Southern California's largest variety of video poker and Blazing 7s games. Open 24 hours, the action never stops at Harrah's Resort Southern California.

13. Barona Resort & Casino, Lakeside

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Barona Resort & Casino is proud to be one of the top-rated casinos near San Diego, California.

You can choose from over 120 action-packed table games when visiting Barona Casino. It also has more than 2,500 machines with wagers that start from a penny go up to the high limit. You will also find keno, stepper, video, and poker machines on the gaming floor. It was awarded to have the best Blackjack in the USA by ‘Casino Player magazine’ and the best Blackjack in California by the ‘Blackjack Hall of Fame’. So you know what to play at Barona Resort & Casino.

14. Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Lincoln

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Thunder Valley Casino Resort has become the favorite place amongst gaming enthusiasts as this is where all the latest machines are usually available first.

They have added the famous ‘Vault’ recently to their collection of 3,400 slots where classics like reel favorites Triple Diamond and Quick Hits are also available. Its huge live poker room can accommodate over 160 players at a time and is also loved for hosting exciting tournaments. From baccarat to Zappit Blackjack, you can enjoy everything here. It is also one of the few Californian casinos where the fun of Bingo with 27 games is ready for you.

15. Graton Resort and Casino, Rohnert Park

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Graton Resort & Casino is an Indian casino that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all the gambling lovers.

It is one of the recently opened casinos in Rohnert Park that has instantly become a hit amongst locals and travelers alike. Claiming to be the best place to play in the bay, Graton is where countless choices and unparalleled action await you. It has more than 3,000 slot machines as well as 144 table games and a poker room on the site. This Indian casino in California has pop culture slots, progressive jackpots, classics like Wheel of Fortune along with Blackjack and Baccarat.

16. Red Hawk Casino, Placerville

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Red Hawk Casino is your best bet when it comes to gambling the night away when visiting Placerville.

You will find a huge collection of over 2,500 slots that start from one penny and go up to USD 25. It also combines all the latest video slots and reel slots along with all your favorite progressives. The table games here will give you a chance to choose anything from Black Jack to Poker or from Pai Gow to Baccarat. Join the High Limit area or Rewards Club here to make the best of your time.

17. Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez

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Chumash Casino Resort is proud to bring you all the fast-paced action of slots, table games, bingo, and poker under one roof.

This casino is owned and operated by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians. Its sprawling 94,000-square-feet of the gaming floor is bustling with hundreds of visitors each day, making it one of the most famous casinos in California. Its 2,300 slots have some of the newest additions and its Vegas-style table games have 45 different options to choose from, including but not limited to, EZ Baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Blackjack, Mystery Card Roulette, and Spanish 21. If you are looking for something new, then join its Samala Showroom for the session of bingo.

18. Viejas Casino & Resort, Alpine

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Viejas Casino & Resort makes for one of the most luxurious gaming destinations in San Diego, California.

Everything that is new and exciting can be found on the 133,000 square feet of gaming floor at Viejas. Originally started at Viejas Bingo Room in 1977, this facility today has more than 2,500 slot machines and 86 table games along with an off-track betting facility with a viewing lounge. And of course, through all the changes, it still is one of the best places to play bingo in California.

19. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, Rancho Mirage

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Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa is known as the players’ paradise in Coachella Valley as well as in greater Palm Springs area.

The slot machines here combine classics, modern, and video poker machines. The vast range of table games includes Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, Crazy 4 Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Mississippi Stud, Buster Blackjack, Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Hot Water Craps, Golden Frog Baccarat, Spanish 21, Mystery Card Roulette, and Double-Up Blackjack. Agua Caliente Casino is also proud to offer the only private live poker room and high-limit gaming in this area.

20. Sycuan Casino Resort, El Cajon

Best Indian Casino In California

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Sycuan Casino Resort is where you can play, stay, dine, and soak in the entertainment to your heart’s content.

Claiming to be one of Southern California’s best gaming casinos, Sycuan offers the best of Las Vegas-style entertainment. Are you interested in its 2,800 gaming machines? Or do you want to explore different types of Asian games, table games, blackjack, poker, bingo, craps, and roulette? Whatever you choose, this casino has it all under one roof. Do not forget to take a break from gambling to pamper your taste buds with delicious food offered at the resort.

River Rock Casino

This detailed listing of some of the best casinos in California is all you need to plan your visit!