Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, CA: California Indian Casinos

Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa is one of three tribal casinos owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Located in Rancho Mirage, the Agua Caliente Casino offers tons of gaming and entertainment experiences for gambling enthusiasts in California. It does not yet, however, have a sportsbook, as California sports betting is still illegal.

Agua Caliente Casino Fact Table

Year Opened2001
Phone Number888-999-1995
Address32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Number of Slot Machines1,800+
Minimum Age to Gamble21

Games You Can Find at Agua Caliente Casino

Agua Caliente Casino is an excellent vacation destination in part because of the wide number of games it has available.

Slots

Guests can play over 1,800 slot machines, of which 900 are penny slots. This makes it a great gaming floor for casual, low-stake slots.

There are also progressive slots, of course, and the overall slot machine selection is a mix of new slot machines and classic favorites. The Lightning Lounge, in particular, is a slot machine enthusiast’s paradise, which features tons of slot machines lined up in rows with comfortable seats and nearby amenities.

Table Games

Guests can also check out 42 table games. These include classic table game favorites, like blackjack, but also include more specialty games like Hot Water Craps. Other available table games include:

  • Golden Frog Baccarat
  • Pai Gow
  • Mystery Card Roulette
  • Three Card Poker
  • Crazy 4 Poker
  • Mississippi Stud

The table games are scattered throughout the main gaming hall and mixed with the slots.

Poker

You may also want to check out the poker offerings at this casino. Agua Caliente recently relocated its poker room to the main casino floor, so you no longer have to go to the corner of the casino.

The poker room has 10 tables in total with comfortable seating. Players can expect daily, nightly, and weekend tournaments at varying skill levels and with different buy-in rates.

There are plenty of promotions that poker players will be able to participate in as well, like chances for higher than average pots or bonus winnings even if you don’t win a full game. The poker room offers Limit and No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em, and Pot-Limit Omaha.

High Stakes Gaming

We’d be remiss not to mention the high-stakes rooms, which are dedicated lounges that provide opportunities to win even more than you can on the main floor. There are two distinct high limit areas: one for slots and one for table games. The latter also comes with widescreen TVs, couches, and other comfortable seating. These spaces can be reserved for private games.

Events and Dining Options at Agua Caliente Casino

Agua Caliente’s expansive event space hosts live entertainment activities and events throughout the year. Events include comedic performances, concerts, dance parties, and more.

Many famous entertainers, such as Johnny Mathis, Gabriel Iglesias, Frankie Valley, and the Four Seasons, have performed here in the past. New events are always being scheduled and can be found on the casino’s online calendar.

Dining

There are many casinos that offer more eating locations than Agua Caliente, but the few places where you can grab a bite are pretty top-notch. First is The Steakhouse, which serves steak and American-style meals, along with a selection of spirits and wines. Waters Café offers a more casual eating experience. Here you can get American favorites as well as signature foods, like crab rolls.

Spa

Many of Agua Caliente’s guests will also want to check out the over 10,000 ft.² spa, located not far away in Palm Springs. This spa is a part of a smaller casino, and guests can combine rewards and even some reservations between both locations.

The spa offers a coed pool and jacuzzi, plus massage and salon services for guests of the casino or for those who want to check out the spa exclusively. It’s open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and includes amenities like lockers and showers.

Check out our complete Guide to California Tribal Casinos

Agua Caliente Casino History

The Agua Caliente Casino operates according to agreements made between California Native American tribes and the California state legislature. It’s able to offer legal gambling activities because it’s located on tribal land rather than state land.

This particular casino opened in 2001 when the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla signed an agreement licensing them to build a gambling establishment. Only a few years later, in 2008, the tribe spent $400 million to expand its gaming space.

Another expansion project in 2019 saw the addition of the buffet and the District dining area. Currently, the casino plans to further expand the gaming area. There are also plans to add a new hotel that will include over 300 guest rooms. If all goes according to plan, the casino will expand 58,000 square feet over the next few years.

Agua Caliente Casino FAQs

How old do you have to be to enter Agua Caliente Casino?

Like most tribal casinos, you need to be 21 years old or older to access the gambling floor. However, people under 21 may enter the casino’s premises if they just want to go to one of the restaurants, visit the gift shops, or see a show. See our guide to 18+ gambling in California.

Is there parking at Agua Caliente?

Yes. Both self-parking and valet are available.

Who regulates the gambling at Agua Caliente Casino?

The National Indian Gaming Commission is in charge of regulating the gambling activities at Agua Caliente Casino.

What is Agua Caliente’s hours of operation?

The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week under normal circumstances.

Is Agua Caliente a smoking or non-smoking casino?

There are both smoking and non-smoking areas for most gambling activities. However, enclosed spaces, like the high limit gaming lounge, are all non-smoking.

About the Author

Amber Hoffman

Amber is the Managing Editor of California Casinos. She writes for a variety of websites in diverse industries, including gaming and travel and is a fan of international football (not "soccer") and Gaelic sports.