2 California Casinos Make USA TODAY’s List of Top 10 Casinos in US

USA TODAY released its list of the country’s 10 best casino hotels over the weekend, and two California Indian casinos made the cut.

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino checked in at No. 5 and Pechanga Resort Casino was No. 4. This top-10 ranking was based on votes from USA TODAY readers across the US. The other eight casinos on the list included two from Arizona, two from Connecticut, two from Atlantic City, New Jersey, one from Mississippi, and one from Florida.

Here is the full ranking:

  1. Mohegan Sun— Uncasville, Connecticut
  2. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City — Atlantic City, New Jersey
  3. Ocean Casino Resort — Atlantic City, New Jersey
  4. Pechanga Resort Casino — Temecula, California
  5. Yaamava’ Resort & Casino — Highland, California
  6. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — Hollywood, Florida
  7. IP Casino Resort Spa — Biloxi, Mississippi
  8. Casino Del Sol — Tucson, Arizona
  9. Foxwoods Resort Casino — Mashantucket, Connecticut
  10. Talking Stick Resort — Scottsdale, Arizona

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Yaamava’ Resort & Casino

The largest casino in California and on the West Coast, Yaamava’ offers guests more than 7,000 slot machines, 150 table games, a 38-table poker room, and 290,000 square feet of gaming space. Beyond gambling, the resort also boasts a 432-room hotel, 17 restaurants and bars, a full-service spa, a pool with private cabanas, and a 2,800-seat entertainment venue that’s gaining a reputation as one of the best in the state.

Just 17 miles from Riverside and within an hour drive of Big Bear Lake and Joshua Tree, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino has proven itself to be a focal point of Inland Empire tourism.

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians owns Yaamava’.

Pechanga Resort Casino

Pechanga used to be the largest casino in California before Yaamava’ added more slot machines. But this Temecula resort is still well-thought of across the state for a reason. It features 5,400 slot machines, 152 table games, a 38-table poker room, and 200,000 square feet of gaming space. There’s also a 1,000-room hotel, 20 restaurants and bars, a 25,000-square-foot spa, a 4.5-acre pool area, and a golf course.

Pechanga Resort Casino is right in the heart of California wine country, with 46 wineries in the area. So, if you like wine and gambling at casinos, you might want to consider a trip to Temecula.

The Pechanga Band of Indians owns Pechanga.

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Which US Casino Is No. 1?

The Mohegan Sun in Connecticut earned top spot in USA TODAY’s reader-picked top 10 list. It offers guests 4,000 slot machines, 300 table games, 30 poker tables, 12 restaurants, and a two-tower hotel with 1,563 rooms. Sports betting is legal in Connecticut, so Mohegan Sun also has a FanDuel sportsbook and a racebook for horse betting.

The Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut owns Mohegan.

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About the Author

Matthew Bain

Matthew Bain started as News Editor and Content Manager at California Casinos in 2022. Before that, he spent six years as a sports reporter and then deputy sports editor for the Des Moines Register, during which time he won nine statewide journalism awards, including the Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Outstanding Young Iowa Journalists Award. As deputy sports editor, Matthew oversaw the Register's recruiting coverage while also innovating the outlet's high school sports coverage. Matthew graduated from San Diego State and grew up in California, but he's somehow a Boston Celtics fan. Long story.