Business & Real Estate

Which Sacramento-area casinos are smoke-free? What to know

Hundreds of gamblers crowd gaming tables at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Lincoln.
Hundreds of gamblers crowd gaming tables at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Lincoln. Sacramento Bee file

As Red Hawk Resort and Casino near Placerville announces plans to go almost entirely smoke-free, how do other Sacramento-area gambling establishments handle smoking?

Red Hawk Resort and Casino plans to add a new gambling pavilion for smokers, while the existing casino will go smoke-free, The Sacramento Bee reported.

The change will “offer a significantly cleaner and healthier environment for guests and team members alike,” president and CEO Bryan DeLugo said.

Smoke-free casinos and the issues surrounding the effects of second-hand smoke on customers and casino workers is not unique to California.

Just last week in New Jersey, a state health commission called to eliminate an exemption to smoking laws that allows smoking at Atlantic City casinos, PlayNJ reported.

Casino workers are among those calling for the change, the publication said.

Here’s what to know about Sacramento-area casinos and cardrooms.

What Sacramento-area casinos are smoke-free?

A directory of smoke-free gambling establishments in California lists Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain in Wheatland as also being smoke-free.

While all hotel rooms, dining areas and entertainment venues are non-smoking, smoking is permitted outside non-smoking areas on the casino floor, according to visitor reviews.

Thunder Valley Hotel Casino near Lincoln allows smoking on the casino floor but not in smoke-free slots and poker rooms, dining areas or entertainment venues, the resort said.

Cache Creek Casino Resort near Esparto has a non-smoking area in the casino but otherwise allows smoking on the gaming floor, the resort said.

Sky River Casino does not list a smoking policy in its house rules, other than a ban on marijuana, but reviews say smoking is allowed in the casino.

What Sacramento-area cardrooms are smoke-free?

Card rooms are businesses in California where customers can play various table games, mostly poker and other card games, against one another.

The directory of smoke-free gambling establishments lists Stones Gambling Hall, Parkwest Casino Cordova, Parkwest Casino Lotus, Limelight Cardroom and Capitol Casino as smoke-free establishments.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 12:49 PM.

DS
Don Sweeney
The Sacramento Bee
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW