On March 7,2000 California voters approved a statewide referendum that legally allowed the state’s Indian tribes to begin offering electronic gaming machines, blackjack, and other house-banked card games. The games of craps and roulette are not permitted. However, some casinos offer modified versions of those games that are played with cards rather than dice or roulette wheels.

Most California card rooms also offer some form of player-banked blackjack but, because they are prohibited by law from playing blackjack, the game is usually played to 22 rather than 21. Additionally, players must pay a commission to the house on every hand they play. The amount will vary depending on the rules of the house but, generally, it’s about two to five percent of the total amount bet. There are  slightly more than 100 card rooms in California and you can see a listing of all of them on the americancasinoguide.com website.

California’s tribes aren’t required to release information on their slot machine percentage paybacks and as of July, 2003 the state of California did not require any minimum returns on gaming machines.

Unless otherwise noted, all California casinos are open 24 hours and offer: slots, video poker, and video keno. Optional games offered include: blackjack (BJ), Spanish 21 (S21), mini-baccarat (MB), poker (P), pai gow poker (PGP), Caribbean stud poker (CSP), let it ride (Let it Ride), three card poker (Three Card Poker), bingo (BG), casino war (CW) and simulcasting (S). The minimum gambling age is 18 (21 if alcohol is served).

Although most of the casinos have toll-free numbers be aware that many of those numbers will only work for calls made within California. Also, many of the casinos are in out-of-the-way locations, so it is advisable to call ahead for directions, especially if you will be driving at night.

For more information on visiting California call the state’s department of tourism at (800) 862-2543.