Largest Indian Casino In Northern California
Owned and operated by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Cache Creek Casino Resort has expanded from a simple bingo hall in the mid-80's to an over 400,000-square-foot luxury resort, spa, golf course and casino. Learn more about our story and personal commitment to creating the ultimate experience for all of our visitors. In the Sierra Nevada Foothills north of Sacramento, Oroville draws visitors for its outdoor adventure options - Lake Oroville, California’s second-largest lake, is nearby - as well as its casinos. Offering an Indian casino, hotel, and resort experience in Northern California that you won't forget. Visit us online at www.JacksonCasino.com today! The machines, which Gov. Wilson and the state's U.S. Attorneys say are illegal, generated three-fourths of the $1.4 billion Indian casinos in California took in last year.
California is a state with a mixed gambling history. These days, it technically allows all types of gambling in one form or another. However, the specifics of where and how you can enjoy these activities are heavily dependent on location and regulations. For instance, casino games are only legal at Indian casinos rather than resorts on state land.
Below we will break down the types of gambling you can enjoy in Northern California.
Northern California Indian Casinos
Tribal casinos are currently legal in California thanks to laws between the state and federal government and the Indian tribes who maintain various territorial pockets throughout the state. At the time of writing, 63 tribal casinos operate in California. Combined, they produce over $8 billion in revenue every year.
Legality And Revenue
Indian casinos do not follow the same gambling regulations that other gambling sites do within the state. Because of this, resort-goers can find most major gambling activities within these resorts, including blackjack, poker, electronic games, slot machines, lottery games, bingo, and more. Gambling activities are either regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission or state authorities.
Because tribal casinos drawing so much revenue, casinos often feature distinct themes or special attractions or resorts. Northern California Indian casinos are largely positioned around Sacramento or the Bay Area, although a few stretch a little farther north. Most of these resorts may have themes revolving around wine country or the NorCal wilderness and mountains.
Be advised that you need to be 21-years-old to enter most of the top Northern California tribal casinos. This is despite the fact that the legal gambling age is 18-years-old. Many casinos require you to be 21-years-old since they serve alcohol on their premises.
Northern California tribal casinos don’t currently allow sports betting, but may bring in brick-and-mortar sports betting over the next few years.
Where To Play
Some of the best Northern California tribal casinos include:
Thunder Valley Casino Resort
This casino is just outside Sacramento and is one of the largest resorts in the entire state, featuring over 145,000 ft.². It offers 2,000 slot machines and over 100 gaming tables plus options for bingo and live poker. It’s 17-story tower hotel contains 297 rooms as well as a fine selection of excellent restaurants and other amenities. The casino is open 24 hours daily.
Table Mountain Casino
This casino is located north of Fresno. It’s actually due for a renovation, as it was built in 1987. It’s going to be replaced by a larger casino and hotel over the next few years. At the moment, it offers over 2,000 gaming machines, 10 poker tables, and a plethora of other table game opportunities.
Tachi Palace Casino Resort
This resort draws customers from all across the state, thanks to its expansive space and 45,000 square-foot concert venue. As a result, it’s a frequent location for entertainment tours and activities beyond regular gambling experiences. It also offers over 2,000 slot machines and a seven-table poker room. Other features include a 255-room hotel and spa along with nine restaurants for a variety of dining opportunities.
Northern California Card Rooms
California offers some of the best card rooms in the entire country. California card rooms are legal because they have players bet against one another instead of the house. The card rooms themselves make their profit by charging players small fees to enter games. Dealers rotate with every hand.
Games Available
Most California card rooms include staple poker varieties like Texas Hold’Em and Seven-Card Stud, although you can also find additional games depending on the location. Additionally, most California card rooms offer “Cal Games”, which are card games with rules tweaked to ensure their legality under California legislation. Cal Games include Blackjack, Pai Gow, Chinese Poker, and more.
Many of the best California card rooms also offer tons of poker tournaments for both beginners and experts. This draws plenty of traffic, especially at more popular card rooms. Tournament buy-ins and pools can range from the tens of dollars up to the hundreds or thousands of dollars.
All players need to be 18-years-old to legally gamble in a California card room.
Where To Play
There are 66 card rooms currently operating in California. Here are some of the best you can find in Northern California:
Bay 101
Bay 101 is located at the south end of the San Francisco Bay in San Jose, CA. They’re a great choice thanks to their proximity to the San Jose airport, making them a prime stopover destination for travelers who get a poker itch. They offer a variety of poker games and tournaments, and frequently draw experienced crowds to offer moderate to high-skill poker action.
California Grand Casino
This casino is actually the oldest continually operating poker room in the world, as it’s been offering poker since 1854. It served as stagecoach and Pony Express stop before becoming an explicit casino. Weekly tournaments and Cal Games are included, like blackjack, pai gow, and three-card poker for even more variety. The casino was moved into a new and modern building in 2009, so it offers fresh amenities and plenty of creature comforts.
Capitol Casino
This casino is a relatively simplistic entertainment venue without a lot of bells and whistles, but they offer plenty of excellent poker action. They also offer excellent restaurant and bar options, so it’s a good place for general entertainment and enjoyment. They draw crowds from all over the Sacramento area and offer daily and weekly tournaments.
Northern California Race Tracks
Horse racing is one of the few types of wagering fully legal in California at in-person locations and online horse racing apps. Horse racing was legalized in 1933 using a pari-mutuel model. In short, this meant that bettors wager against each other while the horse track facilities take a small cut of the overall pool in order to make a profit.
Most Northern and Southern California horse racing tracks emphasize thoroughbred races, although you can find Quarter Horse races at a few select tracks. There used to be many more tracks in general, but the overall decline in attendance and several other factors have resulted in only a few major California horse tracks remaining open today.
Those who enjoy horse racing can make straight and exotic bets depending on a track’s offerings. You’ll also be able to find 27 satellite locations that offer off-track horse race betting if you don’t want to use a mobile app. There’s only one really excellent Northern California horse racing track compared to the three you can find in the southern half of the state:
Golden Gate Fields Race Track
This 140-acre horse racing track is located in Berkeley, right next to the San Francisco Bay. As a result, attendees benefit from expansive views of the local Bay Area and generally pleasant weather all year round. It’s also the only major thoroughbred racetrack in Northern California.
Golden Gate Fields features a one-mile synthetic track and a turf course that measures 9/10 of a mile. It can fit thousands of customers and features on-site parking for visitor convenience. Horse racing enthusiasts will enjoy several graded events that are held every year, including the Berkeley Handicap, San Francisco Mile Stakes, and California Derby.
Admission is always free for children. There are plenty of comfortable facilities for both regular attendees and for those who are part of various clubs. Guests are even able to meet jockeys and see horses at the paddocks. The location is convenient since there are tons of hotels and dining options fairly nearby.
Northern California Gambling FAQ
As with Southern California, it depends on the activity in question. Gambling in general is legal only for those 18-years-old or older. However, you have to be 21-years-old to enter some Indian casinos because of alcohol restrictions.
This is largely because of the higher concentration of large metropolitan areas in the southern half of the state. Big cities like Los Angeles and San Diego have naturally drawn more gambling locations over time.
No. State authorities and the National Indian Gaming Commission are responsible for regulating all gambling institutions in California. They hold all institutions to the same standards.
No. Sports betting is technically illegal. However, new legislation may allow Indian casinos to bring brick-and-mortar sports betting to their casinos.
For the purpose of this article, we define Northern California as anything north of Fresno. Big metropolitan areas in Northern California include the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento.
The Dennis Dalton Foundation
History
History of Jackson Rancheria
Band of Miwuk Indians
The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians was first recognized by the Federal Government in 1898. Over 100 years later the Tribe enjoys self-sufficiency and self reliance thanks to the vision and determination of one small Indian woman.
Margaret L. (Hughes) Dalton was born in Tuolumne, California to her Native American Mother, Tessie Jeff, and her non-Native American Father, Clyde Hughes. After completing her ninth grade year at Calaveras High School, she left school and married Earl Dalton, Sr. in 1956, when she was 16 years old.
Their dream was to make their small Band of Miwuk Indians self-sufficient, not dependent on any state or government funding. It was a journey that would take over 40 years to complete.
Margaret and Earl moved to Jackson Rancheria where they raised four sons, Earl Jr., Dennis, Robert, and Adam, as well as Margaret’s brothers and sister, Irvin “Bo”, Clarence “Bud”, Gary, and Donna. They had one steadfast rule in their household - all eight children must graduate from high school. And all eight did.
Margaret knew her Tribe must form their own government to strengthen themselves in their dealings with local, state, and federal governments. The Tribe held a meeting in 1979 and established a formal government. Margaret was elected Tribal Chairperson, a position she held uncontested for 30 years.
In 1980 Margaret lost her best friend, and husband when Earl Sr. died in a logging accident, leaving Margaret to pursue their dreams on her own.
In 1984, she read about the success of the Seminole Tribe in Florida opening their own Bingo Hall and she began a search for private investors to help her Tribe open a Bingo Hall.
The Tribe opened their first Bingo Hall in 1985, but it was a rocky start on their path to self-reliance. The Bingo Hall opened and closed three times. With Margaret’s incredible determination, she convinced her Tribal Government to let her try one more time. In 1991, with backing from honest investors, Jackson Indian Bingo opened its doors.
Several political moves were necessary for the Bingo Hall to grow into a Casino. The Tribe watched carefully as California voters approved Proposition 5, the Tribal Government Gaming and Economic Self-Sufficiency Act in 1998. The following year the Tribe signed a compact with the State of California. Proposition 1A, the California Indian Self-Reliance Amendment, passed in 2000, affirming the right to gaming on tribal lands and Jackson Rancheria’s path to self sufficiency was clear.
Unlike many California casinos which sprang up as giant properties in lightly populated rural areas, often with considerable local resistance, Jackson Rancheria has grown along with its community and for the most part enjoyed substantial local support.
Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is now the largest employer in Amador County and has spent and donated tens of millions of dollars into the local economy. A new access road, Dalton Road, opened in 2006 reducing the casino’s impact on county roads.
Over the years the metal building that housed the first Bingo Hall has grown into a casino complex that includes multiple restaurants, a Hotel, RV Park, General Store & Gas Station, and the first LEED certified building in the county. The Tribe has also built new homes for its residents, a medical and dental clinic, water and sewage treatment plants, an auto mechanic shop, child care center for employees’ children, and an off-reservation apartment complex.
Margaret and Earl Dalton’s dream was the betterment of the Native American’s way of life. Margaret lived to see that dream come true for her Tribe.
Today her Tribe continues down the path she envisioned, now led by her son Adam Dalton, who was elected Tribal Chairperson in January 2013, and her grandson Tribal Vice Chairperson Robert F. Dalton. The Tribal Council also includes Secretary/Treasurer Nick Wilson and General Council Representatives, Adam Dalton Jr. and Xavier Wilson.
In honor of Margaret’s vision, determination, and accomplishments, the Tribe has declared her birthday, February 9, to be Founder’s Day.
Yosemite Roundhouse Restoration Project
Chaw'se Day
The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians invites the community to join them for the 4rd Annual Chaw’se Day event on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 at the Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park.
Over the past four years, the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians have led and completed the restoration efforts at the Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, including the traditional Roundhouse. They now invite the public to join them in welcoming Spring with Native American games, cuisine, dancing, crafts, guided park tours, and much more!
The event is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and admission is free.
For additional event information, please contact Natasha Ballew at nballew@jacksoncasino.com or 209-223-8102.
The Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is located at 14881 Pine Grove Volcano Road, Pine Grove, CA 95665
Community Involvement
Jackson Rancheria Cares About The Community
The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians supports the Native American tradition of sharing with and contributing to the local community.
The Tribe’s commitment to upgrading every park and ball field in the county is just the latest example of their community contributions.
The Amador County Chamber of Commerce recognized the Tribe's commitment to the community by naming its annual humanitarian award after our late Tribal Chairperson Margaret Dalton.
Supporting Charitable Programs
The Tribe makes numerous direct philanthropic grants each year with an emphasis on local community groups, schools, organizations, and projects that benefit children and seniors. Thousands of grants are awarded each year, ranging from small individual grants to major donations to assist schools, senior organizations, and those in need.
Helping Others in Times of Need
When disasters hit anywhere in the world, Jackson Rancheria can provide a convenient and reliable place to make sure your donations go where they are needed most. Butte Fire Video
Following major disasters, donation stations are often set up in the Casino to allow guests and employees to do their part to aid others in need. All funds collected go to reputable organizations such as the American Red Cross.
Providing Career Opportunities
Jackson Rancheria is the largest employer in Amador County, with more than 1,000 employees in a county with a population of only 35,000.
The Tribe provides competitive wages and an excellent benefits package while striving to set the standard for career advancement, workplace safety, training and support.
Employees enjoy a substantial benefits package that includes on-site child care (the first on-site company-run child care center in the county), medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan with employer match, generous paid time off schedule, and more.
Protecting the Environment
Jackson Rancheria continues the Native American tradition of caring for the land, enjoying its rewards while protecting it for future generations.
Environmental programs at the Rancheria include:
- An active recycling program
- Energy conservation efforts included in all building projects
- State-of-the-art waste water treatment plant
- Litter removal along the road leading to the Casino and participating in the California Adopt-A-Highway program
Contributing to the County
Since opening the Casino, Jackson Rancheria has voluntarily contributed substantial amounts to County and City agencies to mitigate the Casino's impact.
The Tribe regularly contributes funds to:
- Road maintenance and improvement
- Traffic impact studies
- The District Attorney's office
- The Sheriff's Department
- The Amador Fire Protection District
The Tribe also constructed the Pine Woods Apartments on non-reservation land, providing needed housing and a diversified economic base for the Tribe as well as additional property tax revenues for local government.
In addition, the Tribe built the $5.5 million Dalton Road to bring traffic directly from State Highway 88 to the Casino across the reservation, reducing the impact on county roads.
Tribal business operations pay more than $50 million annually in taxes, including payroll tax, Social Security, Medicare, state unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and others.
Making local vendors a priority, the Tribe annually purchases over $50 million in goods and services.
Jackson Rancheria also supports responsible gambling, providing information in the Casino and on their website about resources for those seeking assistance with gambling addiction.
Fire Department
Jackson Rancheria Fire Department Offers All Risk Hazard Protection
In June 2007 the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians organized the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department as an all risk hazard protection unit.
The department’s purpose is to protect and save lives, respond to medical emergencies, prevent, suppress and control fires, perform rescue operations at emergency scenes, and prevent fire damage to the property and environment.
The department is headed by the Fire Chief and each 24 hour shift is staffed by a Captain, an Engineer and a Firefighter. It is located in the Public Safety Building and operates two “first out” pieces of equipment plus a reserve engine.
Donation Program
Donation Application General Guidelines
The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians supports the Native American tradition of sharing with and giving back to the local community through generous donations to various events, organizations and efforts.
Donation applications are limited to one application per year per project. Duplicate or repeat applications will not be considered.
If approved, applicants can expect a response within six weeks. If you have questions about an approved donation, please send your questions in writing to the address on your approval letter.
If you do not receive a response, please consider your request denied. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.
Some donations will require a written follow-up report from the applicant on how the funds were utilized.
Requests MUST be on the Jackson Rancheria Donation Application Form. Donation Application Forms are only accepted by US Postal Service mail.
Northern California Casinos Map
Be brief but specific in your application. Supplemental sheets or information are accepted, but the application form must contain all primary information.
Application forms must be received by the 15th of the month for funding consideration the following month. (For example, Application Forms must be received by May 15 in order to be considered for funding by the end of June.)
Indian Casinos Northern Calif
Native American Gathering
The Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians successfully hosted their first inaugural, Native American Gathering on Saturday, May 18th with friends and family from tribes across Northern California. The invitational event attracted several vendors, offering a variety of items from traditional beaded and abalone jewelry to informational booths such as the American Indian Film institute and the Friendship House, residential, treatment program from San Francisco.
The day began with a spiritual prayer lead by Miwuk elder, Mildred Burley, accompanied by song from Dennis Dalton and his fellow Native drummers. Attractions included entertainment from two local, traditional Miwuk dance groups and guests were welcome to join hand game tournaments and sharing their music and prayer on the community drum. Later they enjoyed earth cooked venison and pork with fry bread and customary accompaniments, before ending the evening with laughter thanks to the comedians of the Pow Wow Comedy Jam.
The comedy show was opened by a presentation given by Michael Smith, President of the American Indian Film Institute. During this heart felt presentation, Michael thanked the event host, Adam Dalton, Tribal Chairman of the Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians for “being a longtime supporter of their program for more than 15 years”. Adam was presented with an oversized, handmade dreamcatcher, which he accepted gratefully alongside his son, A.J.
The event ended shortly after the laughs subsided and was said to have been one of the best Native Gatherings in several years past. The 2nd annual event will be scheduled soon and will take place again sometime in late spring of 2014.
- Community Involvement
Jackson Rancheria Cares About The Community
The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians supports the Native American tradition of sharing with and contributing to the local community.
The Tribe’s commitment to upgrading every park and ball field in the county (link to 9.1a) is just the latest example of their community contributions.
The Amador County Chamber of Commerce recognized the Tribe's commitment to the community by naming its annual humanitarian award after our late Tribal Chairperson Margaret Dalton.
Supporting Charitable Programs
The Tribe makes numerous direct philanthropic grants each year with an emphasis on local community groups, schools, organizations, and projects that benefit children and seniors. Thousands of grants are awarded each year, ranging from small individual grants to major donations to assist schools, senior organizations, and those in need.
Helping Others in Times of Need
When disasters hit anywhere in the world, Jackson Rancheria can provide a convenient and reliable place to make sure your donations go where they are needed most.
Following major disasters, donation stations are often set up in the Casino to allow guests and employees to do their part to aid others in need. All funds collected go to reputable organizations such as the American Red Cross.
Providing Career Opportunities
Jackson Rancheria is the largest employer in Amador County, with more than 1,000 employees in a county with a population of only 35,000.
The Tribe provides competitive wages and an excellent benefits package while striving to set the standard for career advancement, workplace safety, training and support.
Employees enjoy a substantial benefits package that includes on-site child care (the first on-site company-run child care center in the county), medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan with employer match, generous paid time off schedule, and more.
Protecting the Environment
Jackson Rancheria continues the Native American tradition of caring for the land, enjoying its rewards while protecting it for future generations.
Environmental programs at the Rancheria include:
- An active recycling program
- Energy conservation efforts included in all building projects
- State-of-the-art waste water treatment plant
- Litter removal along the road leading to the Casino and participating in the California Adopt-A-Highway program
Contributing to the County
Since opening the Casino, Jackson Rancheria has voluntarily contributed substantial amounts to County and City agencies to mitigate the Casino's impact.
The Tribe regularly contributes funds to:
- Road maintenance and improvement
- Traffic impact studies
- The District Attorney's office
- The Sheriff's Department
- The Amador Fire Protection District
The Tribe also constructed the Pine Woods Apartments on non-reservation land, providing needed housing and a diversified economic base for the Tribe as well as additional property tax revenues for local government.
In addition, the Tribe built the $5.5 million Dalton Road to bring traffic directly from State Highway 88 to the Casino across the reservation, reducing the impact on county roads.
Tribal business operations pay more than $50 million annually in taxes, including payroll tax, Social Security, Medicare, state unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and others.
Making local vendors a priority, the Tribe annually purchases over $50 million in goods and services.
Jackson Rancheria also supports responsible gambling, providing information in the Casino and on their website about resources for those seeking assistance with gambling addiction.