CA Casino List (A-Z) 
Reviews written by Editor
High Tech Slots In The Low Desert, Wednesday, 28 November 2007
THE DRIVE: The Salton Sea was created between 1905 and 1907 when unchecked irrigation routes from the Colorado River flooded the low desert about 20 minutes past Indio, CA. Over a century later, despite a controversy over its salinity levels, the Salton Sea remains California's largest lake and an awe inspiring sight to behold! A few minutes off the 10 freeway, Highway 86 curves gently around the famous lake, revealing another surprise ahead... Red Earth Casino.
THE PARKING: Small but ample parking for a casino the size of Red Earth. There is also an adjoining Travel Center that offers gas and Nathan's Hot Dogs.
THE CASINO: This November 2007, I was in Indio checking out my usual haunts when I heard a casual mention of a brand new casino just 20 minutes away. Before you can say Jackpot Party, I jumped in the car and headed east to try my luck at the newest offering of the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. Red Earth is so new they haven't even finished paving the driveway yet. The casino is much smaller than it's giant Indio neighbors... but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and ingenuity.
Ingenuity, you ask? At a tiny casino off a freeway I've never heard of in a sparsely populated area near the Salton Sea?! That's right. I expected the usual small casino experience (which is still appealing for a slot fanatic like myself): Locals smoking like chimneys at a scatter-shot selection of older machines, lower end furnishings, and a weathered female cashier with a name tag that reads "Charley." I was proven wrong the minute I walked in the door and faced a bank of slots (LUCKY FRANKIE) using a new technology I'd never seen before. And I'd just visited 6 huge casinos in the Palm Springs Area! It seems Red Earth has decided to set itself apart by providing a gaming experience that is hard to find in other casinos, big or small. Which brings me to the chairs.
As gamblers, we sometimes undervalue the comfort of actually sitting for hours on end trying our luck. You know you've played too long when your shoulder is sore the next morning. To combat this, Red Earth has installed high limit plush slot chairs throughout their entire casino, allowing you to adjust the height of the chair or the headrest. They've also dropped the height of the slot bases themselves, allowing for a perfect "hand to max bet button" angle. Wow. I may add a "Gambling Chairs" criteria to my ratings in the future. Chalk one up for the little guy thinking outside the box.
In terms of tables, well, they have 4. But one of them is a $2.00 blackjack table which I haven't seen this side of Reno.
THE FOOD: I had a delicious Patty Melt in Cody's Diner accompanied by the "Famous" coleslaw which lived up to it's name. They also have a Subway in the nearby Travel Center.
THE STAFF: Friendly and look like they are very proud of their new casino.
THE ODDS: Due to the unexpected nature of my visit, I didn't play a full bankroll... but I came out even on the money I did spend. I intend to return to see if they're just trying to make me comfortable so I'll put more dough into their tempting new machines.
THE PAYLINE: If you're making the trip to Indio, you owe this unique casino a visit. If you live in the area, it could become a favorite.
THE PARKING: Small but ample parking for a casino the size of Red Earth. There is also an adjoining Travel Center that offers gas and Nathan's Hot Dogs.
THE CASINO: This November 2007, I was in Indio checking out my usual haunts when I heard a casual mention of a brand new casino just 20 minutes away. Before you can say Jackpot Party, I jumped in the car and headed east to try my luck at the newest offering of the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. Red Earth is so new they haven't even finished paving the driveway yet. The casino is much smaller than it's giant Indio neighbors... but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and ingenuity.
Ingenuity, you ask? At a tiny casino off a freeway I've never heard of in a sparsely populated area near the Salton Sea?! That's right. I expected the usual small casino experience (which is still appealing for a slot fanatic like myself): Locals smoking like chimneys at a scatter-shot selection of older machines, lower end furnishings, and a weathered female cashier with a name tag that reads "Charley." I was proven wrong the minute I walked in the door and faced a bank of slots (LUCKY FRANKIE) using a new technology I'd never seen before. And I'd just visited 6 huge casinos in the Palm Springs Area! It seems Red Earth has decided to set itself apart by providing a gaming experience that is hard to find in other casinos, big or small. Which brings me to the chairs.
As gamblers, we sometimes undervalue the comfort of actually sitting for hours on end trying our luck. You know you've played too long when your shoulder is sore the next morning. To combat this, Red Earth has installed high limit plush slot chairs throughout their entire casino, allowing you to adjust the height of the chair or the headrest. They've also dropped the height of the slot bases themselves, allowing for a perfect "hand to max bet button" angle. Wow. I may add a "Gambling Chairs" criteria to my ratings in the future. Chalk one up for the little guy thinking outside the box.
In terms of tables, well, they have 4. But one of them is a $2.00 blackjack table which I haven't seen this side of Reno.
THE FOOD: I had a delicious Patty Melt in Cody's Diner accompanied by the "Famous" coleslaw which lived up to it's name. They also have a Subway in the nearby Travel Center.
THE STAFF: Friendly and look like they are very proud of their new casino.
THE ODDS: Due to the unexpected nature of my visit, I didn't play a full bankroll... but I came out even on the money I did spend. I intend to return to see if they're just trying to make me comfortable so I'll put more dough into their tempting new machines.
THE PAYLINE: If you're making the trip to Indio, you owe this unique casino a visit. If you live in the area, it could become a favorite.
Last updated: Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Get Set At Table Mountain, Sunday, 25 February 2007
Full review coming soon!
Last updated: Monday, 26 February 2007
29 Reasons To Visit The Spotlight, Sunday, 25 February 2007
Upon a recent visit to Spotlight 29, I am happy to report that the Spotlight still shines bright out in Indio. It even looks as though the casino is finally bending to peer pressure and is adding a new covered parking structure. Anyway, onto the list!
1. You can see it from the 10 freeway in Indio, CA... just exit at Dillon Road and you'll be gambling within minutes.
2. The parking lot is huge and more often than not we get a spot in the first few rows.
3. It has been owned by The Donald (Mr. Trump himself!).
4. The Casino floor has one of the most beautiful and modern designs we've seen.
5. The ceilings are extremely high and the air quality is great.
6. It has bountiful EZ ticket machines and cashiers, you rarely have to stand in line.
7. Unlike the casinos closer to Palm Springs, even on the Friday night of a holiday weekend, Spotlight 29 doesn't feel too crowded.
8. The bartenders against the main casino wall are friendly.
9. They have Monopoly Blackjack... try it, it's really fun!
10. It has an AWESOME variety of multi-denom slots.
11. It has two sections devoted to Keno, Video Poker, and Game Kings.
12. Spotlight 29 is one of the few casinos that still has the old school quarter and dollar slots, i.e. "Haywire!," "Wild Cherry," "Double Diamonds," "Sierra Silver" & "Fourth Of July"
13. The café and buffet are combined... and both are delicious.
14. The players club (Club 29) is great: Since there is no hotel, you can trade your points for fun merchandise & dining comps. Plus your play qualifies you for CASINO CASH that you redeem on your next visit - we regularly get $30-$50 in casino cash vouchers in the mail when other casinos give $10-$20 for the same play.
15. Spotlight 29 has loads of penny slots. Well, that's reason enough for me.
16. The City Wok in the food court will cook any custom combo you desire.
17. Our friend hit 2 royal flushes within an hour playing dollar video poker!
18. It's very well maintained and immaculate.
19. It has powerful air conditioning and never seems stuffy in the desert heat.
20. It's across the street from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino (another great casino) if you need a hotel room.
21. It has banks of more rare video slots that we love.
22. I've never gotten a bill stuck in a machine there!
23. It has auto-spin Keno.
24. It has quarter Fort Knox if you're feeling lucky.
25. You can bring your friends who like high-end vegas casinos there... and they'll be impressed.
26. It has a state-of-the-art entertainment facility with top notch entertainment.
27. It has a lovely selection of imported beer in the Rattlesnake bar.
28. It literally does have SPOTLIGHTS pointing to the sky outside that you can see from the freeway at night.
29. You can expect big wins and long playing time at Spotlight 29 Casino!
1. You can see it from the 10 freeway in Indio, CA... just exit at Dillon Road and you'll be gambling within minutes.
2. The parking lot is huge and more often than not we get a spot in the first few rows.
3. It has been owned by The Donald (Mr. Trump himself!).
4. The Casino floor has one of the most beautiful and modern designs we've seen.
5. The ceilings are extremely high and the air quality is great.
6. It has bountiful EZ ticket machines and cashiers, you rarely have to stand in line.
7. Unlike the casinos closer to Palm Springs, even on the Friday night of a holiday weekend, Spotlight 29 doesn't feel too crowded.
8. The bartenders against the main casino wall are friendly.
9. They have Monopoly Blackjack... try it, it's really fun!
10. It has an AWESOME variety of multi-denom slots.
11. It has two sections devoted to Keno, Video Poker, and Game Kings.
12. Spotlight 29 is one of the few casinos that still has the old school quarter and dollar slots, i.e. "Haywire!," "Wild Cherry," "Double Diamonds," "Sierra Silver" & "Fourth Of July"
13. The café and buffet are combined... and both are delicious.
14. The players club (Club 29) is great: Since there is no hotel, you can trade your points for fun merchandise & dining comps. Plus your play qualifies you for CASINO CASH that you redeem on your next visit - we regularly get $30-$50 in casino cash vouchers in the mail when other casinos give $10-$20 for the same play.
15. Spotlight 29 has loads of penny slots. Well, that's reason enough for me.
16. The City Wok in the food court will cook any custom combo you desire.
17. Our friend hit 2 royal flushes within an hour playing dollar video poker!
18. It's very well maintained and immaculate.
19. It has powerful air conditioning and never seems stuffy in the desert heat.
20. It's across the street from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino (another great casino) if you need a hotel room.
21. It has banks of more rare video slots that we love.
22. I've never gotten a bill stuck in a machine there!
23. It has auto-spin Keno.
24. It has quarter Fort Knox if you're feeling lucky.
25. You can bring your friends who like high-end vegas casinos there... and they'll be impressed.
26. It has a state-of-the-art entertainment facility with top notch entertainment.
27. It has a lovely selection of imported beer in the Rattlesnake bar.
28. It literally does have SPOTLIGHTS pointing to the sky outside that you can see from the freeway at night.
29. You can expect big wins and long playing time at Spotlight 29 Casino!
Last updated: Wednesday, 28 November 2007
A Gambler's Oasis In Palm Springs, Sunday, 25 February 2007
THE DRIVE: Ah, Palm Springs. In the last decade, Palm Springs has successfully changed its identity from stuffy retirement community to one of Southern California's premiere entertainment destinations: complete with luxurious mid-century hotels, world-class dining, golf, spas, shopping, The Palm Springs International Film Festival... and two fabulous casinos owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The best thing about Spa Resort Casino is that it's located conveniently in the center of downtown Palm Springs!
THE PARKING: Off season: Large open lots with plenty of close parking on weekdays. On season: Parking is a little tougher, you may have to walk from the second lot.
THE CASINO: Spa Resort Casino pioneered Palm Springs gambling... graduating from a series of tents attached to the original hotel to its current casino complex a block over.
Spa is truly a luxury casino targeted at high-end players looking for a night of casino action to enhance their resort experience. Don't expect many penny slots (although they have a few banks spread throughout the casino). The majority of Spa Resort's 1000 slots are video nickel, quarter and dollar machines... so prepare a bigger bankroll if you're planning on staying longer than a few hours. Also, because its in the middle of town, the casino can get quite crowded during Palm Springs' high tourist season.
For a smaller casino, Spa Resort Casino has an relatively high number of table games including Pai-gow, Let It Ride, 11 poker tables in their Poker Room (they're on the World Poker Tour circuit), single/double/6 & 8 deck blackjack and a their own "Hot Water Craps" game (which is a version of craps that uses cards instead of dice).
THE FOOD: Because there is so much nearby dining in the town of Palm Springs, we haven't eaten at any of the casino restaurants yet.
THE SPA: We intend to try the spa on our next visit.
THE HOTEL: We've stayed the night in the original hotel where the rooms were a little pricey but fine. We'll stay in the remodeled rooms soon and report back!
THE ODDS: With a bankroll averaging $300, you'll have a good time at Spa Casino... but you'll need a little more luck to come out ahead because of the shorter playing time.
THE PAYLINE: For a quick conventient gambling fix among other activities... you can bank on Spa Resort Casino!
THE PARKING: Off season: Large open lots with plenty of close parking on weekdays. On season: Parking is a little tougher, you may have to walk from the second lot.
THE CASINO: Spa Resort Casino pioneered Palm Springs gambling... graduating from a series of tents attached to the original hotel to its current casino complex a block over.
Spa is truly a luxury casino targeted at high-end players looking for a night of casino action to enhance their resort experience. Don't expect many penny slots (although they have a few banks spread throughout the casino). The majority of Spa Resort's 1000 slots are video nickel, quarter and dollar machines... so prepare a bigger bankroll if you're planning on staying longer than a few hours. Also, because its in the middle of town, the casino can get quite crowded during Palm Springs' high tourist season.
For a smaller casino, Spa Resort Casino has an relatively high number of table games including Pai-gow, Let It Ride, 11 poker tables in their Poker Room (they're on the World Poker Tour circuit), single/double/6 & 8 deck blackjack and a their own "Hot Water Craps" game (which is a version of craps that uses cards instead of dice).
THE FOOD: Because there is so much nearby dining in the town of Palm Springs, we haven't eaten at any of the casino restaurants yet.
THE SPA: We intend to try the spa on our next visit.
THE HOTEL: We've stayed the night in the original hotel where the rooms were a little pricey but fine. We'll stay in the remodeled rooms soon and report back!
THE ODDS: With a bankroll averaging $300, you'll have a good time at Spa Casino... but you'll need a little more luck to come out ahead because of the shorter playing time.
THE PAYLINE: For a quick conventient gambling fix among other activities... you can bank on Spa Resort Casino!
Last updated: Thursday, 29 November 2007
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