The gambling landscape in California can leave players confused and asking questions. Such as: why is it illegal to play craps in California casinos? The historical and political reasons for preventing gamblers – even in casinos – from throwing dice may seem incoherent. For now, shooters are rolling sevens any time they want to play online craps in the Golden State.
Craps is one of the most fun and potentially profitable games for gamblers, whether in a land-based casino or an online casino. The variations available when online gambling California are only diminished by the lack of excitement of a hot shooter at a physical table. However, Californians are out of luck if they want that in-person feeling.
California law prohibits any casino game outcomes from being determined by a roll of the dice. In fact, California does not allow gamblers to play games directly against the house. So, rolls of dice or the outcome of a bouncing ball (like in roulette) are banned.
via GIPHY (clearly not in a California casino)
The Odd History of California Gambling Laws
Currently, all casino gaming in California is limited to Tribal casinos or clubby card rooms, which is why you can’t play traditional craps in California. And Native American gambling is a relatively new addition to the state’s betting landscape.
Nationally, the USA has allowed Native American gaming since 1988’s Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. But California did not allow any gambling within its borders until residents passed Proposition 1A in 2000.
The measure amended California’s Constitution but continued to outlaw “Nevada and New Jersey-style casinos.” Instead, Native American Tribes could open casinos on their land but only if they agreed to a gaming compact with the state government.
You won’t find a full-service craps table at California casinos, like the Barona Resort seen here. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
Proposition 1A allowed so-called Tier III casino gaming within California, though it still abided by the prohibition on dice games. Instead, casinos could offer card games between players, such as modified blackjack, baccarat, and poker as well as slot machines and video gaming terminals. These rules are still in force.
What Are the Other Options for California Gamblers?
Outside of tribal gaming, California allows card rooms in which players can play poker and other card games against one another. These establishments can skirt California’s ban on playing against the house by tweaking rules. For example, blackjack players in California card rooms play against each other instead of the house.
The players act as the bank, not the card room itself. There is a dealer, but they do not receive their own hand. All players at the table rotate having the role of house or banker, sometimes hand-by-hand. While acting as the banker, that player maintains a house edge over the remaining gamblers at the table. This is a rare scenario for casino games.
Some options for California gamblers include:
- Poker
- Hose Racing
- Blackjack
- Pai Gow Poker
- Baccarat
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is available at tracks located throughout the state, including venerable Santa Anita Park. There are also off-track-betting facilities located at tracks and other sites for players looking to wager on races from elsewhere in the country.
Can Californians Play Any Dice Games?
If you walk into any of the larger California Tribal casinos, you may see tables that look nearly identical to craps. However, the look may be deceiving.
via GIPHY (you will need to head to international waters if you want to shoot craps in California)
California casinos offer a modified version of craps (and often, roulette) where the dice rolled correspond to cards arranged elsewhere on the table. When you roll to set a point, the dice only indicate to table staff which of the cards to flip over. So, the cards are what determine the outcome of the roll, not the thrown dice.
Gameplay at a modified California “craps” table mirrors that of anywhere else. But the table lacks the excitement of a hot shooter. There is a delay before anyone knows whether a roll is good or bad due to the requirement to flip cards. For experienced players, the speed and delays may take some getting used to, but for others, it may remove the best part of playing craps.
Which Casino Games are Legal in California?
| Game | Legal? |
| Slots | Yes |
| Blackjack | Yes |
| Poker | Yes |
| Roulette | No |
| Horse Racing | Yes |
| Lottery | Yes |
| Craps | No |
| Baccarat | Yes |
| Bingo | Yes |
California currently has no plans to amend its gambling laws banning dice and ball games. Though gambling is rapidly expanding in large swaths of the country, California continues to drag its feet on any modernization of its legal online gambling laws. As of now, it appears legal sports betting will be addressed separately, and not as part of an overhaul that could allow full-service casino games like craps.
