California is famous for many things, but casino-style gambling is not one of them. The Golden State enjoys a reputation as one of the premium card playing destinations in the US, with 87 licensed venues that run poker games within its borders. This Californian industry puts around $850 million per year in government coffers. It gets regulated by the Californian Gambling Control Commission, a body created with the passing of the Gambling Control Act in 2004.
The unique thing about California law is that it goes out of its way to prohibit all house-banked gambling games. Under this terminology, it lists all casino gaming products that feature dice and cards. While roulette does not incorporate either, it gets additionally listed as a product no gambling establishment can offer. Venues that offer table games like blackjack and casino-poker variants have a location on tribal land, or they allow players to take turns playing the dealer’s hand.
Thus, Californians cannot enjoy authentic roulette games in their state unless they choose to do so online. We mention authentic because, in 2004, the state’s Division of Gambling Control decided to allow card roulette games. Moreover, a few spots already offered roulette in its electronic form. So, below, we list off a few gambling locales, mainly Native American ones, that feature unique variations of Europe’s favorite wheel gaming product.
Agua Caliente Casino
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians operates this gambling facility located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. The casino opened its doors in 2001, and seven years later, it added a sixteen-story hotel tower, which ranks as the third-tallest human-made structure in the Inland Empire. The gaming space here sprawls 71,000 square feet, focusing on slots, blackjack, and casino poker variants. The only roulette game you will find here is Mystery Card, which many gamblers consider the dominant variation in California.
Cache Creek Casino Resort
Initially opened as a bingo hall in 1985, the Cache Creek Casino Resort on 14455 Highway 16 in Brooks morphed into a gaming destination in 2004. It now boasts a casino floor that stretches 75,000 square feet. Moreover, the resort currently also includes a luxury hotel, a golf course, and nine restaurants. The gambling products on offer here consist of single-deck, double-deck, and shoe card games. The Cache Creek Casino has its version of a roulette-theme game that involves cards.
Harrah’s Northern California
Amador County is the Heart of the Mother Lode and the home of Harrah’s North California casino, on 4640 Coal Mine Road in Ione. Harrah’s Northern California opened in April 2019 as a joint venture between the Buena Vista Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians and Caesars Entertainment. It is a 71,000 square foot gaming facility that cost $168 million to construct. The venue offers single zero Lucky Roulette, an electronic game that combines innovative projection mapping technology and classic mechanical elements for a hyper-realistic 3-D experience.
Tachi Palace Casino Resort
MMA fans know the Tachi Palace as the location of 22 WEC events and the home of Tachi Palace Fights, an MMA organization founded as a partnership between this establishment and the Gladiator Challenge. The Tachi Palace in Lemoore at 17225 Jersey Avenue has a long history, with roots dating back to 1983 when it primarily operated as a bingo hall. In 1994, the Santa Rosa Indian Community, who own this locale, added slots, despite the state’s effort to block this move. Tachi Palace hosts Richer Roulette, which adds an exciting twist on the traditional game, featuring a wheel designed by TCS John Huxley, the world’s premium manufacturer of such devices. Tachi’s Richer Roulette table is the only one of its kind in the US.
Viejas Casino & Resort
The Viejas Bingo Room opened its doors in 1977 when the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians decided to get into this sector. In 1991, they branched into casino-style gambling by establishing a casino on their property on 5000 Willows Road in Alpine. In 2007, they announced plans for a second casino, which never got completed. The gaming floor of the Viejas Casino is decently sized at 133,000 square feet, offering Mystery Card roulette, Agua Caliente Casino. In the version, cards replace the little white ball.
Pala Casino Resort and Spa
Found near San Diego, on the Pala Indian Reservation, the Pala Casino Resort and Spa is a tribal gaming establishment run by the Pala Band of Mission Indians. It debuted in 2001 as a casino only, and two years later, it opened an adjacent five-hundred-room hotel and spa. The chief draw of its 90,000 square foot gambling area is over two thousand slots and video poker machines. However, wheel gaming lovers can find a proprietary version of roulette here called Pala Roulette, offering a Super Green Bet option.
About the Author
Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.