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.

1. Morongo Casino Resort Age Limit 2020
2. Morongo Casino Resort Slots
3. Morongo Casino Resort Age Limit Rules

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

California Indian Casinos: Gambling Options For 18+

Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at49500 Seminole Drive in Cabazon, California. You will find it all here – a first class hotel with all the amenities including suites and 6 villas, full service spa and 24 hour fitness center, top name entertainment, a nightclub and bar, plus 6 restaurants and a food court. Your Morongo Rewards membership will continue, and you can check the current Gaming Promotions on our website anytime. Q: What is the age requirement at Morongo? A: MCRS and CM will be an 18+ casino only. This age requirement will be enforced in the Hotel as well as the Casino, until further notice.

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:

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+

Morongo Casino Resort Age Limit 2020

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.

Tribal casinos can be found throughout California, but few match the luxury and variety that Morongo Casino, Spa, and Resort provides. This iconic casino is located near San Gorgonio Pass in the Palm Springs area. It features tons of high-quality amenities and gambling activities, making it a great place to spend your next vacation.

Morongo Casino Fact Table

Games Offered At Morongo

Morongo features 195,000 ft.² of gaming space that includes over 4,000 loose slot games and over 80 table games. Of these tables, 13 are restricted to a poker room, where poker enthusiasts can play for real money and enjoy a variety of poker games like Texas Hold ‘Em and 7 Card Stud.

However, Morongo’s slots are arguably the biggest attraction. Its slot collection includes some of the newest games in the entire Palm Springs area. Slot costs are between a single cent up to $100, and you can find traditional reel games plus a bunch of new video machines. There’s also a high limit slot room area for games that pay out large sums.

Aside from these games and poker, you’ll also be able to enjoy a collection of classic table games like Fortune Pai Gow, 3 Card Poker, and Mississippi Stud. Many of these games take low bets or buy-ins but still include the potential for big winnings. Most of the gaming tables at Morongo are dedicated to these “Cal games”, which feature special rules and can be found at other legal California casinos.

Additionally, there’s a 440-seat bingo room. Not only does this accommodate bingo lovers with events every week, but it also comes with top-notch amenities for comfortable bingo playing.

Check out our complete Guide To California Tribal Casinos.

Morongo Casino Resort Slots

Morongo Events

Morongo is more than just a gaming casino. It’s also a place where you can find a variety of entertainment events and dining options that make it a holistic casino experience. Each year, it hosts several concerts, parties, and special events – stars like Michael Buble and Enrique Iglesias have appeared on the main Morongo stage more than once. Comedy shows are also included from time to time.

Morongo reserves 80,000 ft.² for its events and entertainment venues. It also features a 12,000 ft.² ballroom that accommodates banquets, weddings, and business meetings. You’ll be able to reserve the space for your own social get-together if you like. The space holds up to 600 guests, but you must reserve far in advance.

There’s an additional 27th-floor special ballroom that features panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and hanging chandeliers for added ambiance.

Morongo Amenities And Features

Morongo also has a lot to offer in terms of dining. There are several restaurants worth your time, including a Las Vegas-style buffet and a dedicated restaurant called Cielo, which offers fine dining and a selection of top-tier wines and spirits.

There’s also the Sunset Bar & Grill for classic Mexican food, plus the Good Times Café that serves breakfast items if you want to hang out in the casino during the first part of the day. In total, there are eight separate eating and drinking establishments within Morongo.

Lastly, many visitors will want to check out the dedicated spa at Morongo, which also includes salon services. Visitation to the spa is often part of the package when you reserve a room at the 27-story hotel, which includes 32 suites and 272 guest rooms. Check your reservation to see if you qualify.

There’s also plenty to do nearby. The Desert Hills Premium Outlets and the Cabazon Outlets are located near Morongo and offer over 130 premium retail stores. Canyon Lanes is located nearby with a Blacklight Family Bowl on Friday nights.

Guests at Morongo have easy access to two 18 hole Championship golf courses at Tukwet Canyon, home of the SoCal PGA. The facilities are senior-friendly and the courses are great for the beginner, novice, and experienced golfer.

Morongo History

Like all Indian casinos in California, Morongo is legal because of agreements between California’s state government and the local Indian tribes. These agreements allow Indian casinos to offer gambling even though its against California state law.

Morongo Resort originally opened in 1995 under the name Casino Morongo. At the time, it only included a dance hall, diner, and bowling alley. The casino was still under negotiation between tribal and state authorities.

Morongo Casino Resort Age Limit Rules

The casino finally opened on December 10, 2004. Since then, Morongo has remained one of the largest tribal casinos in the entire country.

The casino, specifically, closed in 2014 only to reopen in 2018 as a separate building in order to expand its gaming space even further.

These days, you can still find the original bowling alley, a nightclub, and other entertainment venues on the original casino’s ground. However, the primary Morongo Resort building now houses most of the gaming activities and the main spa. The building includes the hotel as well.

Morongo Casino FAQ

Casitas are suites that feature private living spaces, pool access, and other luxury amenities. They’re all located on an upper level that surrounds the main pool.

The legal gambling age in California is 18-years-old, but Indian casinos may set their own age limits. Morongo is one of the few Indian casinos that stick with state law. Most other Indian casinos set their age limits to 21-years-old to prevent underage drinking on their premises.

You can find boxing cards and MMA fight cards at Morongo Casino from time to time. Most of these occur at the casino’s outdoor pavilion.

Since the casino is a tribal establishment, Morongo is regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Yes. There is self-parking along with the option for valet.