Sycuan Casino Resort is one of the largest tribal casinos in the San Diego area. It features a wide selection of popular slots and table games, as well as a comprehensive resort experience. Below, we delve into the specific offerings of the casino resort so you can decide whether it’s a good match.
Sycuan Casino Fact Table
| Year Opened | 1983 |
| Phone Number | 800-279-2826 |
| Address | 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, CA 92019 |
| Number of Games | 2,400+ |
| Minimum Age to Gamble | 21 |
Games at Sycuan Casino
Sycuan Casino includes 2,400+ slot machines, with a wide range of themes and graphics, on its main gaming floor. Potential wagers start at one cent, with plenty of penny slots available. A high-limit section is also around for those who want to play high stakes.
There is, no retail sportsbook, as sports betting is not legal in California.
Table Games
In addition to slots, Sycuan offers 56 table games. You’ll find many of the same ones you’d find on the Vegas Strip, including classics like blackjack, craps, roulette, and Spanish 21. There’s also a special Sycuan variation of craps that you can only find at this casino.
There are also “Asian” games like the kind you can find at many licensed card rooms and other California casinos. These Asian gaming options include card games like:
- Pai Gow
- EZ Baccarat
- Progressive Jackpot Poker
- Double Hand Baccarat
Poker
Guests can also find poker games and tournaments at Sycuan. A top-of-the-line poker room provides tables for enthusiasts and beginners alike. Daily poker tournaments are quick and easy-to-enter and provide a live casino setting without requiring you to risk tons of cash.
There are 15 poker tables in the smoke-free poker room, making it the largest poker room in San Diego. Poker varieties include Texas Hold’em, 7 Card Stud, and Omaha Hi-Lo.
Bingo
You may also want to check out the Bingo offerings, which are fairly robust. After all, Sycuan Casino began as a Bingo hall. There are discounts for seniors and special offers for people who play Bingo on their birthday. Anyone who begins their morning with Bingo will receive free breakfast.
High Limit Gaming
Casino fans will almost certainly want to check out the VIP gaming lounge. This is the high limit area of the casino, and it provides a private gambling experience where players can enjoy food and cocktail services while playing their favorite casino slots.
This area also includes Asian games. You can reserve space within the VIP area as long as you give the casino enough notice.
Check out our Guide to California Tribal Casinos.
Events and Dining at Sycuan Casino
There are events that draw crowds to Sycuan all the time. The Heritage Event Center, the casino’s main hall for concerts and events, attracts entertainers from around the state and country. In the past, the hall has hosted concerts, musicals, comedy shows, and open-forum talks.
If you wish, you can even use Sycuan as a venue for your own meetings and events. It’s historically hosted business get-togethers, conferences and conventions, as well as weddings. You can rent much of the event space and there’s enough room at the resort’s luxury hotel to accommodate up to several thousand guests.
Spa and Fitness
One of the big draws of this casino is the spa oasis. San Diego can get fairly hot, and guests will enjoy how this casino allows them to escape the heat. The resort features two separate pools plus a lazy river that allows guests to float along with a current for a relaxing experience. There’s also a swim-up bar and several cabanas that are available to all resort guests.
Beyond this, Sycuan includes a fitness center that is open 24 hours a day, allowing guests to maintain their fitness while on vacation.
Dining
Sycuan Casino is home to a number of excellent bars and restaurants. The four main eatery options are The Uncommons, Rank & File, Bull and Bourbon Steakhouse, and Viewpoint Neighborhood Kitchen. These restaurants represent fine dining, a classic resort steakhouse, and casual dining experiences.
History of Sycuan Casino
Indian casinos are legal across California because they’re technically built on sovereign tribal ground. This exempts them from the gambling legislation that bans casinos on California state ground.
Sycuan Casino first opened its doors in 1983 as a one-room Bingo hall. That Bingo hall still stands in its original San Diego location that made it a hotspot for Bingo fanatics. More recently, in 2019, the casino completed a $260 million expansion project. This expansion added the 12-story luxury hotel and a larger casino floor that includes over 80,000 square feet of gaming and event space.
Sycuan Casino Resort FAQs
How old do you have to be to enter Sycuan Casino Resort?
You need to be 21 years old or older to enter the casino premises (including the resort and the event hall). This is meant to prevent underage drinking. See our guide to 18+ gambling in California.
Is Sycuan’s hotel a non-smoking facility?
Yes. Anyone who violates this restriction will be charged an additional $500 cleaning fee.
Is there a cost for valet parking for hotel guests?
No. Self-parking and valet parking are both included for free as part of the resort experience.
How far is it from the Sycuan Casino to downtown San Diego?
It’s about a 35-minute drive.
Who regulates the gambling activity at Sycuan Casino Resort?
The National Indian Gambling Commission regulates all gambling activities.
Amber Hoffman
Amber is the Managing Editor of California Casinos. She writes for a variety of websites in diverse industries, including gaming and travel and is a fan of international football (not “soccer”) and Gaelic sports.