About 130 members make up the Sycuan Indian tribe whose ancestors lived in the San Diego area for nearly 12,000 years. The destination Sycuan Resort is five minutes from San Diego. The casino's state-of-the-art Off-Track Betting Room has three big-screen TVs--not the 13 mentioned on its website. Players bet using either the touch screens or employees available to help patrons place their bets. The off-track betting room is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Call in advance, as the hours vary according to the race tracks' schedules. The room is non-smoking and has no entry fee.
The casino floor includes 2,000 slot machines, 51 table games offering games such as craps, roulette, poker and blackjack. The casino also has a smoke-free bingo parlor. For golfers, the nearby Sycuan Resort has 100 rooms on 425 acres with spas, dining, tennis and two 18-hole golf courses.
Sycuan Casino
5469 Casino Way
El Cajon, Calif. 92019
800-279-2826
sycuancasino.com
The Cabazon band of Mission Indians founded Fantasy Springs Casino, the first Indian Casino in the United States. Their litigation resulted in the 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that opened the door for gaming on Indian reservations. Their off-track betting facility, the "Triple Crown Room," has five big-screen televisions and individual tables with smaller, private touch-screen monitors for high-limit betting patrons. It operates Wednesday through Sunday during the racing season. Admission is free. Call ahead, since times vary according to the schedules of the individual race tracks. Their 100,000 square-foot casino, with 2,000 slot machines, 40 gaming tables and a bingo parlor, is part of a 250 room resort offering 4-star quality rooms, fine and casual dining, golf on the neighboring 18 hole Eagle Falls golf course, and entertainment by performers such as Rob Thomas, Mary J. Blige and Don Henley.
Fantasy Springs Casino
84245 Indio Springs Parkway
Indio, Calif. 92203
800-827-2946
fantasyspringsresort.com
The Viejas band of Kumeyaay Indians resides on a 1,600-acre reservation in the Viejas Valley, east of the community of Alpine in the Cleveland National Forest of San Diego County. Their off-track betting section, located upstairs, provides a dozen 50-inch flat screen televisions, 45 personal monitors and space for up to 90 people. The Turf Club offers 10 private booths with individual monitors and has no admission fee. No reservations required. The betting room's racing schedule changes with the race track schedules, so check their website calendar. The off-track betting room is closed on Tuesdays. The casino includes slot machines, baccarat, poker, pai gow, roulette, craps and blackjack tables. The casino also offers bingo games, fine dining and entertainment in the casino's lounges---but does not offer accommodations.
Viejas Casino
5000 Willows Road
Alpine, Calif. 91901
800-847-6537
viejas.com
