San Diego is a hotbed for casino-style gambling in California. America’s Finest City is home to ten casinos, and Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine is regarded as one of the top Southern California gambling options.
With over 2,500 slots, 50 table games, a bingo hall, and an OTB facility, it’s hard to find anything missing at this all-inclusive gaming venue. Other selling points include a rich promotional program and rewards club. There’s also an upscale hotel on site, with 190 VIP suites, 230 luxury rooms, and Four Diamond restaurants.
Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine was also a prime candidate to land a sportsbook if Prop 26 had passes in November. However, it and Prop 27 failed in landslides, meaning real-money California sports betting won’t be legalized until at least the 2024 election.
This guide provides a detailed overview of Viejas Casino & Resort. Some of the points covered include:
- Where is Viejas Casino & Resort located?
- Game selection
- Accommodations
- General stuff
Viejas Casino & Resort Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-limit lounge
- $5 tables
- Runs targeted promotions for slots and table games players
- OTB parlor on the venue
Cons
- No live poker
About Viejas Casino & Resort in California
Viejas Casino & Resort Address | 5000 Willows Rd, Alpine, CA 91901, United States |
Established | Sept. 13, 1991 |
Sportsbook available? | No |
Number of Slots Offered | 2,500+ |
Licensed by | California Gambling Control Commission |
The Viejas Casino & Resort is located in Alpine, off of I-8, east of San Diego. It sits at the junction of two Kumeyaay reservations, Sycuan and Viejas. Cleveland National Forest borders this tiny community in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains.
Casino Viejas was opened in 1991 by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The property initially included only the casino but has undergone numerous upgrades over the years. Among the most notable changes was the relocation of the bingo room from Ma Tar Awa RV Park inside Viejas Casino in 1994.
After an overhaul in 2006, plans for an addition to the hotel were announced. The hotel was officially opened in 2013. Five years later, the resort completed its seven-year expansion project, which included redesigning the entire property and adding a 1900-square-foot bar.
Viejas is one of 14 casinos in California that allow 18-year-olds. It offers 18+ gambling in the slots and bingo parlor, as well as the off-track betting facility. Everywhere else on the gaming floor is 21-and-over.
Sports Betting at Viejas Casino & Resort San Diego
There is currently no retail sportsbook at Viejas, and there won’t be until 2025 at the earliest. That will only happen if a sports betting initiative is passed in the 2024 election.
Prop 26 would have legalized in-person sports betting at California tribal casinos and the state’s four licensed horse racetracks.
If, in the future, retail sportsbooks are allowed at sports venues, keep an eye on Viejas Arena — the home of San Diego State basketball — as a potential sportsbook location.
Accommodations at Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine
Viejas Casino & Resort features three on-property tower hotels. The newest addition, Willow Hotel & Spa, boasts 159 suites, two restaurants, and a spa. Altogether, the complex offers 203 deluxe rooms and 193 VIP suites.
The venue is packed to the brim with modern amenities. These include an outlet shopping center, fitness centers, spa, nine conference rooms, and several bars and restaurants.
Viejas Casino & Resort Customer Support
Round-the-clock support is available at 619-445-5400. You can also reach out to the casino staff via social media channels: Twitter and Instagram.
Alternatively, you can send an email via the contact form on the resort’s official website. The average response time is a few hours.
Viejas Casino CA Game Selection
Viejas Casino has 133,000 square feet of gaming space featuring a wide range of slots, blackjack, and casino poker games. Slots dominate the floor with 2,500+ machines; table games contribute with 50, including blackjack, baccarat, poker, and craps variations.
Apart from casino games, the resort runs bingo action and an off-track betting lounge.
Let’s check out each of these gaming options separately.
Playing Poker at Viejas Casino & Resort
The resort used to have a top-notch poker room, but it closed a few years ago. Currently, Viejas Casino offers only casino poker games, where you compete against the dealer rather than other players. You can find them in the compartment dedicated to table games.
Viejas Casino & Resort Slots
Slots have far and away the most considerable contribution to Viejas Casino’s gaming mix, with 2,500+ titles. The games are sourced from various providers, including renowned manufacturers like WMS, Aristocrat, Bally, IGT, and SG.
Within the lobby, you can find iconic releases like Quick Spin, 88 Fortunes, and Dancing Drums — slots that have dominated the land-based casino scene in the US for decades. On top of this, a range of modern iterations are featured with innovative gameplay mechanics like 4096 ways-to-win (see Raging Rhino Rampage).
Some slots are linked to the local progressive jackpot system, with pots exceeding six figures.
Viejas Casino & Resort Table Games
The casino features an impressive array of table games with 50 choices available. Here are the different types of games you can try out:
- EZ Baccarat
- Craps
- Blackjack
- Three-Card Poker
- Six-Card Poker
- Fortune Pai Gow
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Mystery Card Roulette
Viejas Casino spreads $5 blackjack tables and offers a single-deck blackjack with a lower house edge than multi-deck variations.
Roulette fans will find Mystery Roulette most appealing. It’s a twist on the iconic game of chance that plays with cards instead of a ball.
Viejas Casino & Resort Casino Mobile App
As part of its cashless gaming program, the casino has developed a standalone mobile app called VIP Mobility. It allows patrons to transfer funds from their bank accounts to slot machines and table games — and vice versa. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Viejas Casino & Resort FAQs
Viejas Casino comprises 2,500 slot machines and 50 table games, including blackjack, baccarat, craps, and casino poker. Additionally, it has a bingo room and an OTB parlor for those who are into off-track California horse race betting.
It’s located in Alpine, 30 miles from San Diego, following the I-8 route. The town is situated in eastern California, close to the border with Nevada. You can find the full address in our opening segments.
You must be 21 years or older to play casino games at Viejas Casino. The minimum age requirement for bingo & slot parlors and OTB is 18.
Yes, the casino runs a six-tier loyalty program called myViejas Players Club. Some of the benefits include monthly free play offers, birthday gifts, hosted services, personalized offers, entries for events and tournaments, and more.
No, not at the moment. Sports betting is illegal in California, and it won’t be legal until 2025 at the earliest — and that’s only if voters pass a sports betting initiative in the 2024 election.