Page 34 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to California

CASINOS
GOLDEN STATE GAMING
Want to try your luck? California has plenty of options
BY MATT VILLANO
In the olden days—the days of Frank
Sinatra and Bugsy Siegel—U.S. gamblers
looking for a date with Lady Luck had
one option: Las Vegas. Nowadays, with
changes to gambling laws in many states,
it’s a safe bet that bettors can throw down
their cash just about anywhere. Of all the
states that now offer gambling, the best
options are in California.
The Golden State has two choices for
people looking to place bets: Native Amer-
ican casinos, and card rooms (which are
glorified bars where gambling is legal, so
long as the house doesn’t win).
The Native American outposts tend to be
farther from major cities but offer nicer
digs. They have slots. They have table
games. They even have bingo. Many of
these wagering wonderlands are “Vegas-
style” resorts, complete with luxury hotels,
top-notch restaurants and indulgent spas.
A few of the properties even have their own
golf courses.
Card rooms are smaller, quieter and, in
many cases, more geared toward locals.
Games here are far less varied. In most
cases, as the name suggests, only card
games are available. The upside? Gam-
bling action is usually loose (and that’s a
good thing).
We’ve divided California’s gambling
scene into three distinct geographical
regions. Wherever you go, bet wisely, and
remember to stay within your means.
San Francisco Bay Area & Beyond
Without question, the Bay Area is the most
exciting region of California for gambling,
with more options than any other part of
the state. It also is home to the largest
casino in Sonoma County: Graton Resort
& Casino.
This attraction, located in Rohnert Park,
is operated by Station Casinos, one of the
largest casino companies in Las Vegas, that
announced in 2023 a massive expansion
which will double the size of both the
casino and the hotel by 2025.
For now, bettors cheer the swanky gam-
bling floor, which boasts a live poker
room, over 100 table games, and 3,000
state-of-the-art slots. Foodies flock to the
32 2025-26 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
CHUKCHANSI GOLD RESORT & CASINO. OPPOSITE: AIDAN BRADLEY; RUSLAN HUZAU/SHUTTERSTOCK