How Far Is the Nearest Casino from Santa Monica, California?
Find the exact distance to the nearest physical casino from Santa Monica, California.

Casino in Santa Monica, California — What to Expect
If you are in Santa Monica, California and want to gamble at a real physical casino, Hollywood Park Casino is your nearest option at 10 miles out. The gaming floor is open most of the day and into the early morning hours.
What to Know About Casino Near Santa Monica
The nearest legitimate gambling option to Santa Monica is Hollywood Park Casino at 10 miles, a licensed gaming facility with a broad mix of electronic and live games. Supplementary options — card rooms, charitable gaming nights, and lottery terminals — exist closer in but offer a narrower experience.
Casino Odds and House Edge Near Santa Monica
Players from Santa Monica, California generally have Hollywood Park Casino as their first call — it sits 10 miles away and offers a full-service gaming floor. Secondary options in the area tend to be smaller card rooms and lottery retailers, worth knowing if you want variety without committing to the main drive.
Casino Gaming Options Near Santa Monica
Casino gaming near Santa Monica, California is legal and regulated, not a grey area. , California issues gaming licenses to qualifying operators including Hollywood Park Casino, which must maintain audited payout percentages, responsible gambling programs, and self-exclusion options. Players who encounter any issue at a licensed property have recourse through the , California gaming commission.
Is Casino Legal Near Santa Monica?
, California gaming law establishes the framework for all legal gambling near Santa Monica. Commercial casinos, tribal gaming facilities, and licensed card rooms each operate under distinct regulatory structures. Knowing the difference between a licensed casino and an unlicensed gaming room matters — Hollywood Park Casino at 10 miles is verifiably operating within the law.
Play Casino Without the Drive
When the 10-mile drive to Hollywood Park Casino is not appealing, online options fill the gap. Sweepstakes casinos — legal platforms that use virtual currency redeemable for prizes — give Santa Monica players access to casino-style games around the clock. No travel, no dress code, no minimum bet.
Other Games Near Santa Monica, California
Beyond Casino, Hollywood Park Casino at 10 miles from Santa Monica offers Mini-Bac tables and a high-limit baccarat salon at Hollywood Park Casino and American and European roulette wheels at Hollywood Park Casino. Santa Monica, California players frequently combine a Casino session with other games on the same visit, stretching a single drive into a full evening. The drive from Santa Monica — 10 miles — is reasonable for a combined games session that lasts three or more hours.
Trip Planning: Casino Near Santa Monica
Planning a visit to Hollywood Park Casino from Santa Monica (10 miles) is straightforward once you know what to bring. Booking a room at Hollywood Park Casino's attached hotel for overnight visits eliminates the return drive and often includes free-play credits worth $25–$100. Santa Monica, California visitors should also check the casino's promotions calendar: slot tournaments and poker freerolls are often listed online a week in advance and can be entered for free with a players card. The 10 miles round trip from Santa Monica to Hollywood Park Casino costs roughly the same as a night at a local restaurant, with the added upside of potential winnings.
Casino Hotels Near Santa Monica, California
Planning an overnight trip from Santa Monica to Hollywood Park Casino (10 miles) maximizes the trip by removing the time pressure of a roundtrip drive. Hollywood Park Casino's attached hotel offers stay-and-play packages with free-play credits and dining vouchers that reduce the effective room cost by $50–$150 when combined. For Santa Monica residents who prefer minimizing costs by skipping the hotel, Hollywood Park Casino's proximity at 10 miles makes a same-day return entirely practical.
Is There Casino Open Right Now Near Santa Monica?
Hollywood Park Casino runs 24 hours a day, meaning Santa Monica players can access Casino at any hour without calling ahead. The overnight shift (midnight to 8 AM) is particularly popular with regulars who prefer lower minimums and quieter floors. The 10 miles drive from Santa Monica is most practical as a post-midnight trip when roads are clear. Off-peak hours at Hollywood Park Casino also mean shorter wait times for popular machines and tables, better parking, and faster service at the casino's bars and restaurants.
Responsible Gambling & Age Requirements Near Santa Monica
Hollywood Park Casino, like all licensed gambling facilities 10 miles from Santa Monica, enforces a minimum age of 21 for all gaming and alcohol service. Responsible gambling tools available at Hollywood Park Casino include a 24-hour problem gambling hotline number posted at all entry points, a self-exclusion program for anyone who needs a break, and trained staff who can provide referrals to support services. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest casino to Santa MonicaCalifornia?
Hollywood Park Casino is the closest casino to Santa MonicaCalifornia, located approximately 10 miles away. The property offers a full gaming floor including slots, live table games, and a poker room.
How far is the nearest casino from Santa Monica?
The nearest casino from Santa Monica is 10 miles away (Hollywood Park Casino). Driving time varies by route and traffic, but most players from Santa Monica report a round trip of under an hour.
Is there a casino open right now near Santa Monica?
Most casinos near Santa Monica, including Hollywood Park Casino, operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call ahead if you need to confirm specific hours for poker rooms or live table game pits, as those sometimes differ from the main floor.
What is the minimum age for casinos near Santa Monica?
The minimum gambling age at Hollywood Park Casino and most casinos near Santa Monica is 21. Some tribal gaming facilities in California permit entry at 18, but players must be 21 to consume alcohol on the casino floor.
Does Hollywood Park Casino have a hotel?
Many casino resorts near Santa Monica offer attached hotels with rates that vary by season and day of week. Booking a room at Hollywood Park Casino can reduce your total trip cost compared to driving roundtrip late at night.
How long does it take to drive to a casino from Santa Monica?
The drive from Santa MonicaCalifornia to Hollywood Park Casino is approximately 10 miles. Actual travel time depends on your route and traffic conditions — straight-line distance is typically 15–25% shorter than road distance.
What games are available at the nearest casino to Santa Monica?
Hollywood Park Casino, the closest casino to Santa MonicaCalifornia, typically offers slot machines, live blackjack, roulette, and a poker room. Specific game availability varies by property — call ahead if a particular game type is your priority.
Is Hollywood Park Casino a good casino?
Hollywood Park Casino is a licensed, regulated casino operating under California gaming commission oversight. Licensed casinos are required to maintain audited payout percentages and responsible gambling programs.
Are there any casinos closer than Hollywood Park Casino to Santa Monica?
Hollywood Park Casino at 10 miles is the nearest verified casino to Santa MonicaCalifornia based on our coordinate database. There may be smaller card rooms or charitable gaming venues closer, but for a full casino floor, Hollywood Park Casino is your best option.
What should I bring to a casino near Santa Monica?
When visiting any casino near Santa Monica, bring a valid government-issued photo ID — all licensed casinos require age verification before entry. Most properties are cashless-friendly, but having a small amount of cash for tips and parking is practical.