Welcome to the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles, a city that thrives not only on Hollywood magic but also on its pulsating casino scene. Nestled between the sun-kissed beaches and the star-studded boulevards, LA’s casinos are a thrilling blend of high-stakes action, luxury, and entertainment. From the historic Commerce Casino in Commerce, known for its world-class poker rooms, to the state-of-the-art slot machines at The Bicycle Hotel & Casino in Bell Gardens, you’ll find a game for every taste. Dive into the history of gambling in this city, where fortunes have been made and lost, and where the casino culture is as much a part of LA as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For the uninitiated, remember to dress smart-casual, check the operating hours before your visit, and yes, many casinos offer complimentary drinks to keep you refreshed during your gaming adventure. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the buzzing energy of Los Angeles’ casino scene – a world where the roll of a dice or the flip of a card can change everything.

The Bicycle Hotel & Casino

Located in Bell Gardens, California, The Bicycle Hotel & Casino, affectionately known as “The Bike,” has been a beacon of card game excellence since its inception by George Hardie Sr. in 1984. This establishment is a haven for those interested in poker and blackjack, and particularly those seeking to refine their strategy skills. It offers a wide array of games, from well-known ones like Texas Hold ‘Em and Seven Card Stud to more distinctive ones like Mexican Poker and Pai Gow Poker. Its association with the Legends of Poker, a prestigious tournament series now incorporated into the World Poker Tour, enhances the casino’s standing.

Innovation at The Bike goes beyond its gaming tables. It pioneered the broadcasting of live poker cash games on the internet through a show named “Live at the Bike.” This program, featuring professional poker players, celebrities, and casual gamers, provides entertainment five nights a week with its insightful commentary and card graphics. In 2015, The Bike expanded its offerings, unveiling a seven-story, 117,907 square-foot complex filled with live entertainment, a cocktail lounge, a brewery, a fitness center, and a sundeck with an outdoor bar, along with a variety of dining options. This expansion ensures that guests have everything they need within the complex. The Bicycle Hotel & Casino was even featured in the popular TV show Numb3rs, where it served as the backdrop for an episode revolving around the murder of a successful card counter who had a hobby of fixing bicycles.

Hollywood Park Casino

Located in Inglewood, California, Hollywood Park Casino is a bustling casino and sports bar, strategically positioned next to SoFi Stadium. Initially a component of the Hollywood Park Racetrack, the casino relocated to a newly constructed building in 2016 after the racetrack was closed and demolished in 2013. The establishment was originally owned by the Hollywood Park Operating Co., who were also proprietors of the racetrack. Hollywood Park Casino forms a crucial part of the comprehensive Hollywood Park development. This expansive venture also encompasses SoFi Stadium, the home ground for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Future developments include residential sectors, business parks, luxury hotels, a movie theater, and an open-air shopping center.

Presently, the property is owned by the Stockbridge Capital Group, a land developer based in San Francisco, which acquired both the casino and racetrack in 2005 for approximately $260 million. Stockbridge not only holds ownership of the casino but also develops the land of the former racetrack site and partners in the NFL stadium. The grand plans for the new casino, entertainment complex, and NFL stadium are projected to enhance the financial health of the casino, which has seen a decline since the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers moved away from The Forum in May 1999.

Hollywood Park Casino offers an upscale gaming environment with its 125 tables featuring Poker and California Games, complemented by sophisticated chandelier lighting and high-definition televisions. The casino accommodates a diverse range of players, with dedicated areas for high-stakes gamblers and celebrity poker tournaments. It also features a dining facility and sports bar, the Century Bar & Grill. Like its predecessor, the casino restricts its games to card games only. Furthermore, the Hollywood Park OTB, a legacy from the former track, is located within the casino, showcasing races from across North America and Australia on large screens for off-track wagering.

Hustler Casino

Located in Gardena, California, Larry Flynt’s Hustler Casino is approximately 15 miles to the south of Downtown Los Angeles. El Dorado LF, LLC, the successor company following the demise of its founder, Larry Flynt, owns the cardroom. Since its launch on June 22, 2000, the Hustler Casino has proven to be the most financially successful among all of Larry Flynt’s enterprises, with an annual revenue surpassing $20 million as of 2007. An extensive expansion was carried out and finalized in February 2007, which led to the creation of The Crystal Room. This versatile space caters to various needs, serving as a card room, a place for special events, a conference room, and a site for hosting poker tournaments.

Flynt has been running what’s known as “the biggest seven-card stud game in the world” since 1997. Initially held at Flynt’s own home, the game was relocated to his casino when it opened. As of April 2007, the game demands a minimum buy-in of $200,000, with antes of $1000 and stakes ranging from $2,000–4,000. The Hustler Casino gained publicity when it was featured in an episode of LA to Vegas, being portrayed as a casino on the renowned Las Vegas strip.

Pechanga Resort & Casino

Situated on the Pechanga Indian Reservation close to Temecula, California, the Pechanga Resort Casino is a Native American casino that stands as one of the most expansive casinos/resorts in the United States. It boasts over 5,400 slot machines and approximately 200,000 sq ft of gaming space, exceeding even the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in terms of the size of its casino floor. The fully non-smoking casino boasts over 5,000 Vegas-style slot machines, 152 table games, a premium High Limit Gaming Area featuring a High Limit Salon, and exclusive gaming rooms. The resort’s hotel houses 1,090 guest suites and rooms, a massive 4.5-acre pool area known as The Cove, a luxurious spa, and six shopping stores.

The two-story luxury spa covers 25,000 square feet and accommodates 17 treatment rooms. Guests can choose from 15 bars and restaurants located on the property. The resort’s golf course, Journey at Pechanga, earned the 4th spot in Golf Magazine’s “Best New Course You Can Play” list in their January 2009 issue. The resort also hosts live sporting events such as Bellator MMA, professional boxing broadcasted live on networks like HBO and FOX, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. The Pechanga Theater, a venue with 1,200 seats, has been the stage for Broadway musicals and headline musical performances. Additional entertainment venues include the Pechanga Comedy Club and Eagle’s Nest Lounge. With 274,500 square feet of meeting and event space, the resort is well-equipped to accommodate large events. Being the largest employer in the Temecula Valley, with nearly 4,500 employees, the Pechanga Resort & Casino is also one of the biggest private employers in Riverside County.

The Gardens Casino

Incepted in 1997, The Gardens Casino, located in Hawaiian Gardens, California, is a one-of-a-kind cardroom casino that solely provides card games. Initially, it occupied a space of 59,900 square feet. However, there was a significant transformation in 2016 when the casino expanded to a sprawling 200,000 square feet, following a hefty $90 million renovation. Additionally, the casino has served as a broadcasting location for the webcast television show, Poker Night in America, with a live show planned to be aired from there in March 2018.

Commerce Casino

Incepted in 1983, Commerce Casino is a distinguished cardroom located in the Commerce suburb of Los Angeles. With over 240 tables, it proudly stands as the largest cardroom worldwide. But the complex offers more than just gaming. It also encompasses the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a full-service establishment with 200 rooms. The hotel features dining options, a day spa and beauty salon, a sun-soaked pool, banquet rooms, shops, and various entertainment facilities. Numerous restaurants are housed within the Commerce Casino, which also serves as a stage for live boxing, MMA, and Professional Wrestling events. A Playboy-themed gaming lounge was even unveiled in 2014.

The casino boasts a broad selection of limit, pot limit, and no-limit poker games, including Seven-card stud, Texas Hold ’em, Omaha Hi-Lo Split, and HORSE. It’s also noteworthy that the casino offers more Texas Hold’em games than any other establishment worldwide. Commerce Casino is a popular venue for several poker tournament series such as the Los Angeles Poker Classic, California State Poker Championship, Commerce Hold ’em Series, and The L.A. Poker Open. Besides poker, Commerce offers a variety of other games like Pan, No Bust Blackjack, 3 Card Poker, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud Poker, 21st Century Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Super Pan Nine, and 13 Card. In July 2009, Commerce Casino introduced its Racebook, providing off-track betting. This feature facilitates mini satellite wagering from race tracks based in California and the Eastern U.S.

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino

Situated in Highland, California, on the San Manuel Reservation, Yaamava Resort and Casino is an Indian casino owned and managed by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The casino houses several in-house restaurants and lounges, providing a variety of dining options. In 2018, it was recognized as the best casino in Southern California. Yaamava Resort and Casino is notably home to over 7,200 slot machines, making it the Western United States’ largest purveyor of slots. But the gaming experience doesn’t end there; the casino also features a range of table games such as blackjack, baccarat, pai gow poker, Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, offering something for every gaming enthusiast.

Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa

Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa is a Native American gaming facility that belongs to the Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians. It’s situated in Cabazon, California, near the San Gorgonio Pass. The casino boasts 310 rooms and suites housed within its significant structure, which at 330 feet, is the tallest building in Riverside County and the wider Inland Empire region. Spanning a remarkable 44 acres and rising 27 stories high, it ranks as one of California’s most expansive casinos. Additionally, it holds the prestigious recognition of being one of only six casino resorts in California to be awarded the AAA four-diamond rating. The main casino floor spans a vast 148,000 square feet, accommodating over 2,000 slots and table games. The interior greets guests with a chic, retro-1960s design, complete with intricate light fixtures and back-lit fabric creating an ornate ceiling display.

The casino provides a variety of table games, including four-card poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em, Mystery Card Roulette, blackjack, pai gow poker, mini-baccarat, and three-card poker, along with a 22-table poker room. High-stake players can enjoy an exclusive area offering four table games and seven slots, enhanced with plasma TVs and complimentary food. The hotel section of Morongo provides accommodation in 272 regular rooms, 32 double-bay suites, and six upper-level casitas that overlook the pool. Dining options are plentiful, with choices ranging from the upscale Cielo penthouse restaurant to the Serrano 24-Hour Cafe, Tacos & Tequila, Sunset Bar & Grill, Natural 9 Noodle Company, the Potrero Canyon Buffet, and a convenient food court.

Larry Flynt’s Lucky Lady Casino

Located in Gardena, California, Larry Flynt’s Lucky Lady Casino is a renowned cardroom recognized for its spacious gaming environment. This 15,000-square-foot facility hosts an assortment of sixty table and poker games, offering an array of choices for visitors. The game selection includes 3 Card Poker, 7-card Stud Poker, California Blackjack, California Lowball, EZ Baccarat with 31 tables, Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker, Poker with 30 tables, Super Pan 9, and Texas Hold’em. In addition to the gaming experience, the establishment also features two dining options, ensuring a comprehensive entertainment package for guests.

Crystal Casino

Known as the first permanent casino owned by the government in the Western Hemisphere, Crystal Casino is famous for its daily jackpots. It boasts the La Crystal Hotel, a budget-friendly lodging option appreciated by guests and conveniently positioned near Long Beach and Redondo Beach. The casino offers a selection of games such as EZ Baccarat, No Bust Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Spanish 21, and Texas Hold ’em. Beyond gaming, the venue also provides several amenities to enrich your visit. These comprise an in-house bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, meeting rooms, and free parking, making it an all-encompassing locale for both fun and relaxation.