Gambling for some, is a form of recreation, while for others, it is a lifelong pursuit. When one considers the activity, Atlantic City and Las Vegas come to mind as potential destinations. On the other hand, few people are aware that California ranks third in the country in terms of casino density. There are 62 of these establishments within its borders. It trails Oklahoma by 72 establishments and falls 272 establishments short of matching the number of casinos in the undisputed gambling king, Nevada.
Unfortunately, there are no casinos in Santa Clarita. The lack of a casino in the vicinity of Magic Mountain is a letdown for vacationers who enjoy gambling and want to try their luck. However, due to a recent public outcry from residents who drive to other Los Angeles cities to enjoy a little gambling action, this may change shortly. Let’s take a look at the casinos in the area surrounding our valley city. What kind of offer do they claim to have?
It should be noted that it is illegal for commercial operators in California to offer customers games of chance. They can only offer services that require a skill. Traditional table games and slot machines are not permitted on their gaming floors. These are only available at tribal casinos, whereas poker is the main attraction at commercial casinos.
Hollywood Park’s casino
The Hollywood Park Casino’s new building, which opened in October of 2016, is located in Inglewood. There are over 125 gaming tables here, with a wide variety of casino poker games, as well as No Collection Baccarat and Party Craps. Beginners have access to an instructional table that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and a croupier will assist them in learning any of these games.
If No Limit Texas Hold’em is your game, this establishment has a plethora of low-limit games for you to enjoy. As previously stated, the gaming floor does not contain any slot machines by California state law. If you absolutely must spin the reels, there is another option: play at online casinos for real money. Off-track betting is also available at this location, allowing bettors to place wagers on races in both North America and Australia.
If you’re interested, the distance between Santa Clarita and the casino is as follows: Plan accordingly because the distance is 42 miles. It should take you no more than half an hour to get there. There aren’t many different dining options at Hollywood Park, and the structure of the comps is mostly ambiguous. Having said that, it is one of the cleanest and best-decorated gambling establishments in the county, and it is worth visiting at least once.
The Commerce Casino and Hotel
The Commerce Casino, located on Telegraph Road in the city of Commerce, is aptly named out 46 minutes to get to Magic Mountain. This location, which first opened its doors in 1983 and was renovated in 2001, is famous for housing the world’s largest cardroom and accounts for approximately 30-40% of the city’s total tax revenue. In addition to other amenities, the complex includes the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which has four different dining options, a day spa, a pool, and a total of 200 guest rooms. The gambling parlor with a Playboy theme was finally open for business in 2014.
There are no slot machines on the premises, but there are approximately 270 tables, 243 of which are open at all times of the day and night. The majority of these focus on the casino poker game Texas Hold’em, as well as other games such as Pai Gow and Caribbean Stud. The Commerce Casino has hosted several poker tournaments, mixed martial arts, wrestling matches, and professional wrestling shows throughout its history. On any given day, around 10,000 people are counted among the foot traffic on its floor.
The Casino and Hotel at the Bicycle
The Bicycle Hotel & Casino, which opened in 1984 and underwent a major renovation in 2015, is the only gaming establishment of its kind in Bell Gardens. Sam Gilbert, a well-known businessman in California, is responsible for the creation of this venue, which is more commonly known as The Bike. The person in charge of financing its construction with funds obtained from his various money-laundering schemes. The casino was taken over by the United States government in 1990, and it has since continued to operate legally. It underwent a significant expansion in 2015, and as a result, it now consists of a seven-story, 118,000-square-foot hotel with a penthouse nightclub and a gourmet restaurant.
The Bicycle Casino’s gaming floor has almost every California card game you can think of. If you enjoy games like Super Pan 9, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Pai Gow Tiles, Chinese Poker, 21st Century Blackjack, or EZ Baccarat, this is the place for you. It is located just off the 710 freeway in Los Angeles. It is approximately 45.5 miles from Santa Clarita’s geographic center and is easily accessible from the heart of Los Angeles.
Casino Hustler
Larry Flynt, the owner of Hustler magazine, runs this establishment, formerly known as The El Dorado Club. This business is owned and operated by El Dorado Enterprises. The HUSTLER Casino is currently best known for hosting the largest Seven-Card Stud game played anywhere in the world. It first opened its doors in 2000 and is about 50 minutes south of Santa Clarita and 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Be aware that it is not located in the most opulent part of the city. In 2007, this venue underwent a major renovation and expansion, which included the addition of the Crystal Room. This room is currently used as a card and conference room, as well as a poker tournament venue.
The Hustler Casino has fifty poker tables where players can enjoy a variety of poker variations such as No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo, as well as a variety of betting limits. There are even games with progressive jackpots, which add an extra layer of excitement to the overall gambling experience. The rules, fees, and comp rates at this location are comparable to those found in other California card rooms. The Blackjack Lounge, Larry Flynt’s Bar & Grill, Corky’s Snack Bar, and Coco’s are all on-site dining options for guests.
At the Gardens, there is a casino
When it was first built in 1997 by philanthropist and businessman Irving Moskowitz, the Gardens Casino was 60,000 square feet in size. In 2016, it grew to 200,000 square feet, which was more than three times the size it had been in 2016. It is a massive establishment, and many people in the greater Los Angeles area regard it as one of the best card rooms in the area. It has 115 gaming tables, 110 of which are poker tables, and it is the location for several of the shows hosted by Poker Night in America’s webcast. In addition to the daily tournaments, it organizes card tournaments for special events.
Because of the heavy traffic on Carson Street in Hawaiian Gardens, this venue is difficult to reach. Unless, of course, you’re coming from South Los Angeles. Gardens is located 57 miles from Santa Clarita. If you take the I-5 south, you should be able to reach its entrances within an hour, assuming luck is on your side. The lower limit games are located outside of the main floor, but for those with deeper pockets, the Gardens Casino has what it refers to as a VIP section, which houses the casino’s higher limit tables. As an alternative to using the Bravo program, this site has decided to implement its own comps system. Employees will scan players’ cards to track their gameplay and credit comps. Even though this is an old method, the prices are very competitive. The casino and the adjacent hotel are not connected in any way.
To summarize
Be aware that there are no gaming establishments in Santa Clarita. It’s a pity that Santa Clarita, California, and its other well-known communities don’t have any casinos for their residents. For the time being, residents who want to gamble will have to take a 45-minute to 60-minute drive. You should be aware that to play slot machines, you must go to one of the Native American casinos in California, as these establishments house over 70,000 of these machines.
On the other hand, you might want to consider playing such games on your phone via one of the numerous digital platforms that are available. These websites provide games with significantly more advanced gameplay and graphics than those found on physical machines, as well as prizes comparable to those found on physical machines. If you’re looking for some card action, the county of Los Angeles has more than enough poker tables to satisfy even the most discerning of players.