A popular destination for enthusiastic travelers, the Coachella Valley is known for its casinos, vacation rentals, spa resorts, restaurants, and golf courses. Palm Springs casinos are one of the area's most attractive features, as the city has a vibrant connection with gambling. This is an insider's guide to gambling in Coachella Valley so buckle up while we'll take you through the top choices for Palm Springs area casinos, just updated for 2023.

Is gambling legal in Palm Springs?

Both commercial and tribal casinos are legal in Palm Springs, creating jobs for the community and keeping the money local. 

The gambling market isn't only legal in the Coachella Valley; it's also growing at a fast pace. Therefore, you don't have to travel to Vegas because the casino offering in Palm Springs is diverse and ranges from tiny local gambling studios to complex resorts that offer several other services besides gambling, like spa services, pool access, and exquisite cuisine. 

The most popular casinos in Palm Springs

We've taken our favorite casinos in Palm Springs and created mini-reviews to help our clients decide which is the best for them. Note that some might feature particularities that don't suit all players. 

#1 - Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs

Formerly known as “Spa Resort Casino Palm Springs” (or to locals just “the Casino”) what do we love about the Agua Caliente that’s right in the middle of town? Besides its poker room, its location is ideal for a traveler who wants to visit Palm Springs while playing casino games.

Agua Caliente is within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs and a beautiful 15 minute stroll from Palms at Park and 5 Palms Estate, making it the ideal entertainment facility for those who don't want to spend time journeying to the gambling lounge.

This upscale gaming facility might just be the nicest casino in Palm Springs and it’s a player's dream come true as it provides access to the best table games, video poker, and a wide diversity of slot machines. 

#2 - The Brand New Agua Caliente Cathedral City

If you’re looking to check out the new kid on the block, the sister casino to our top choice is Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, a brand new gaming and entertainment destination located in Cathedral City, our neighboring town just to the east. This sparkling new entrant to the local gaming scene features a variety of gaming options, including slot machines, table games, and a high-stakes bingo hall.

One of the most unique features of this newcomer might be the indoor/outdoor dining and entertainment area where the casino plays host to a variety of live entertainment events, including concerts, comedy shows, and special events. The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is conveniently located near the Palm Springs area, offering guests easy access to other local attractions and activities.

#3 - Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage

Not to be outdone by it’s two sister casinos above, The Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage is a hi-rise casino with an entertainment venue (The Show), luxurious pools, spas, fine dining facilities and cabanas, inviting tourists to spend an entire day on their premises, delighting in its richness of services.

Agua Caliente Casino Resort was remodeled in 2008 to diversify the range of table games and slot machines and offer over 71,000 square feet of gambling experience. Agua Caliente Spa Rancho Mirage is special because it features the only poker room in the Coachella Valley, besides the 42 game tables, 49 gaming tables, 1o poker tables, and over 1800 slot machines. 

Tourists often describe the Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Mirage as the ideal getaway for a gambling enthusiast because, besides the variety of games it offers, it also features the only spa in a casino in California that received a five-star rating from Forbes.

#4 - Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Fantasy Springs Casino is a popular entertainment destination located in Indio, California. The casino features a wide variety of gaming options, including slot machines, table games, and a high-stakes bingo hall. The property also includes a full-service hotel with over 250 guest rooms and suites, several dining options ranging from casual to fine dining, and a full-service spa. And did we mention that it's the only casino in the Coachella Valley that features its own golf course?

In addition to the casino and hotel amenities, Fantasy Springs also hosts a variety of live entertainment events, including concerts, comedy shows, and special events. The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is conveniently located near the Palm Springs area, offering guests easy access to other local attractions and activities.

#5 - Morongo Casino Resort and Spa

If you're looking for a casino spa where you can play on slot machines, Morongo is the ideal place because it has both classic and new slot machines, video poker, and table games, all in a setting where you can relax on the sand beach, beside the pool, or at the spa. If you drove in from Los Angeles, you may have seen Casino Morongo towering above the low desert just before you hit the 111.

Casino Morongo gives you a Las Vegas vibe because it offers lodging and entertainment opportunities besides gambling solutions. The casino tower offers over 100.000 square feet of gaming opportunities, including restaurants, a nightclub, a buffet, a lounge, a steakhouse, and other entertainment facilities. 

#6 - Spotlight 29 Casino

One of Greater Palm Springs's oldest casinos offers an intimate showroom where you can play video poker, table games, and slots. Spotlight 29 is located in Coachella, CA and features 1,600 slot machines and 35 table games where to try your luck. Its Showroom provides all kinds of acts from retro to Latin year-round and hosts 2.200 seats for live entertainment and headline acts.

Spotlight 29 Casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is conveniently located near the Palm Springs area, offering guests easy access to other local attractions and activities.

#7 - Augustine Casino Coachella

If you want to glimpse the locals' favorite gambling venue, visit Augustine Casino, placed behind the polo fields out in Indio. Those looking for table games and delicious food will definitely lose their hearts to Augustine Casino. If you're a polo enthusiast who wants to relax after spending time on the course, Augustine Casino offers blackjack games, coin-less slot machines, and dining and entertainment opportunities. 

You can bet you'll have a wonderful time at any of the above casinos in Greater Palm Springs. You can escape mundane worries at the Pivot Cigar Lounge at Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Mirage, attend an outdoor concert at the RockYard at Fantasy Spring Resort Casino, or listen to live music at Spotlight 29's Showroom. If you want to have a bite at a bar, the 260 Sports at Agua Caliente in Rancho Mirage is the ideal spot for sports enthusiasts.  

Don’t Wait to Book Your Vacation Rental

If you’re looking for the perfect luxury villa for your next escape to the desert, look no further than the luxury 5 and 6 bedroom vacation rentals at Palms at Park. Not only are they the perfect home base to explore the areas casinos, restaurants and activities, but they were built from scratch to be the most luxurious rental homes in Palm Springs.