Red Hawk Casino in Placerville, California, is a tribal casino resort off Highway 50 with approximately 2,100 slots, live table games, a poker room, and a 156-room hotel. Its strongest reason to visit is variety: gambling, dining, bowling, and indoor go-karts share one property. I think it makes the most sense for a Sacramento-area day trip or short overnight getaway. The main trade-off is its self-contained location near Shingle Springs, not within walking distance of historic downtown Placerville.
Red Hawk Casino at a glance
| Address | 1 Red Hawk Parkway, Placerville, CA 95667 |
|---|---|
| Casino type | Tribal casino resort |
| Owner | Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians |
| Casino hours | 24 hours daily; individual venues have separate schedules |
| Minimum gambling age | 21; poker room permits guests 18 and older, subject to property policies |
| Gaming floor | Approximately 88,000 square feet |
| Slots | Approximately 2,100 |
| Table games | 70 advertised; not necessarily all open simultaneously |
| Poker room | Yes |
| Retail sportsbook | No |
| Hotel | 156 rooms and suites |
| Parking | Free covered parking and free valet |
| Smoking | Non-smoking lower gaming level; entirely non-smoking hotel |
| Rewards program | Red Hawk Rewards Club |
| Official website | Red Hawk Resort + Casino |
Location: a resort stop, not a downtown hotel
Red Hawk sits in the Sierra foothills near Shingle Springs, west of downtown Placerville. The address can be misleading when planning an overnight trip: you are not staying beside the independent shops and restaurants on historic Main Street.
The property advertises approximately 88,000 square feet of gaming in its amenities overview. The hotel and The Apex entertainment center make it a broader outing than a gambling-only stop. That is the feature I would weigh most heavily when comparing it with other California casinos.
Casino games: slots, blackjack, and poker
Red Hawk advertises approximately 2,100 slots and 70 table games, plus high-stakes gaming and a high-limit lounge. These are advertised inventories, not a promise that every machine or table will be available during your visit.
The casino’s FAQ describes its gaming inventory, starting blackjack limit, age requirements, and practical policies. Confirm a particular game or low-limit seat if it is the reason for your drive.
Slots and video poker
Published slot denominations range from penny games to $50 machines. Denomination is not the cost of a spin, however. A penny machine can require a substantial total wager once credits and features enter the picture.
My advice: check the total bet before pressing the button, and decide whether you are comfortable repeating it. Video poker players should inspect the individual machine’s pay table rather than assuming games with the same name offer identical payouts. A guest’s winning story does not establish how well a game pays.
Blackjack and table games
Red Hawk advertises blackjack limits starting at $5 every day, including weekends. That is a useful entry point for lower-budget players, but it does not mean every blackjack table has that minimum or that a seat will be open.
Before sitting down, read the minimum, check the payout for a natural blackjack, and ask about the rules. A low minimum is only part of the decision. Optional side bets deserve their own budget, not an automatic place beside every main wager.
Poker room
Red Hawk has a dedicated poker room, with a published minimum age of 18, subject to property policies. General casino gambling requires age 21.
For a poker-focused trip, ask about current hours, games, limits, and the waiting list before leaving home. Having a poker room does not guarantee your preferred cash game will be running.
Sportsbook
Red Hawk has no on-property retail sportsbook. The Apex Sports Bar is a place to watch sports and have a drink, not a sportsbook betting counter.
Red Hawk hotel: rooms and suite value
The 156-room hotel makes an overnight visit more practical: dinner and gambling need not end with a late drive home. An outdoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi add useful amenities beyond casino access.
Deluxe King and Deluxe Queen rooms are advertised at 440 square feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a mini fridge, a coffee maker, and a walk-in shower. The 850-square-foot King Suite adds a separate shower and soaking tub. Premium King and Premium Queen suites are listed at 900 square feet.
Compare the space, not just the “Premium” label
Using the hotel’s published dimensions, a King Suite adds 410 square feet over a Deluxe room, while a Premium suite adds 460. The Premium suite provides only 50 additional square feet over the King Suite. The bigger space upgrade is from Deluxe to suite, not from suite to Premium.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information and our calculations. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Red Hawk Casino regulatory listing: Listed status | The California Gambling Control Commission lists Red Hawk Casino as Active, with Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Commission as its tribal gaming agency. |
| Red Hawk hotel: Published room inventory | The hotel advertises 156 rooms. |
| Deluxe rooms versus Premium suites: Published floor area | Deluxe rooms are advertised at 440 square feet, compared with 900 square feet for Premium suites. |
| King Suite: Area and bedding | The King Suite is a nonsmoking room with a king bed and 850 square feet of space. |
| Red Hawk hotel reservations: Late-cancellation policy | Guests may be charged one night of the total stay for cancellation less than one day before arrival. |
| Red Hawk hotel: Check-in and check-out | Check-in is at 4 p.m., and check-out is at 11 a.m. |
| Red Hawk hotel: Smoking policy and room penalty | The hotel is completely nonsmoking and publishes a $250.00 fee if guests are determined to have smoked tobacco or marijuana in a room. |
| Red Hawk hotel: Credit-card authorization | A credit card is required at check-in, with an incidental authorization of up to $100.00 per room. |
| Red Hawk hotel: Pet policy | Only service animals as defined by the ADA are allowed. |
| Red Hawk parking: Self-parking versus valet cost | All parking, including valet, is free of charge. |
| Red Hawk electric-vehicle charging: Complimentary versus paid charging locations | Complimentary chargers are listed on garage floors 1, 3, 5, and 7; faster chargers on floors 4 and 6 carry a per-hour fee whose amount is not supplied in this passage. |
| Red Hawk nonsmoking gaming: Published current provision versus planned expansion | The FAQ describes an entire nonsmoking gaming level with more than 200 games and three restaurants; nonsmoking gaming on both floors is described as forthcoming rather than completed. |
| Red Hawk blackjack: Advertised starting table limit | The FAQ advertises blackjack limits starting at $5.00 every day, including weekends; it does not say every table has that minimum. |
| Red Hawk Rewards Club: Slot point-earning rule | Most slot machines earn one point per $1.00 of coin-in. |
| Red Hawk Rewards Club: Redemption options and conversion | Each 500 points can be redeemed for $1.00 in free slot play, food-outlet and gift-shop comps, or Kids Quest script. |
| Red Hawk Rewards Club: Point expiration | Points expire after six months of inactivity. |
| Red Hawk free slot play: Cash-out restriction | Free slot play cannot itself be cashed out, but winnings can be kept. |
| Red Hawk gaming admission: General gambling age versus poker-room age | The FAQ sets the general gambling age at 21, with an exception allowing poker-room guests aged 18 and older subject to property policies. |
| Kids Quest: Childcare age range and identification policy | Kids Quest offers hourly supervised care for ages six weeks through 12 years and requires photo identification at check-in and check-out. |
| The Apex at Red Hawk: Published entertainment lineup | The Apex lists an 18-lane bowling center, an arcade, a golf simulator, a multilevel karting track, a sports bar, and a grill. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Premium suite space compared with a Deluxe room | 460 square feet of additional room space | Use the extra floor space to evaluate a suite upgrade, but compare actual booking prices before deciding whether it is worth paying more. |
| King Suite space compared with a Deluxe room | 410 square feet of additional room space | The King Suite offers more space than the Deluxe room; the published room description also lists a separate shower and soaking tub. |
| Maximum incidental authorization for an illustrative two-room booking | $200.00 of potential credit-card authorization | Allow available credit for the incidental authorization in addition to the room bill; an authorization is not necessarily a final charge. |
| Reward points from illustrative eligible slot coin-in | 1000 Rewards Club points | Coin-in measures cumulative wagers, not the amount deposited or lost. This earning rule applies to most slot machines, not necessarily every game. |
| Redemption value of an illustrative rewards balance | $2.00 of published redemption value | Compare the available redemption options with spending you already planned; free slot play itself cannot be cashed out. |
| Premium suite space compared with the King Suite | 50 square feet of additional room space | Compare the two suite categories directly rather than assuming the premium label means a substantially different layout or better value. |
Research references: cgcc.ca.gov, redhawkcasino.com 2, redhawkcasino.com 3, apexatredhawk.com.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-15. Illustrative assumptions are labeled, and the full calculation inputs remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
I would compare both suite categories before automatically paying for the higher one. These dimensions do not settle value without actual booking prices: weigh the layout, bedding, bathroom features, and price difference.
Booking policies and costs
- Check-in and check-out: 4 p.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.
- Booking age: At least 21.
- Incidental authorization: A credit card is required at check-in, with an authorization of up to $100 per room.
- Late cancellation: Cancellations less than one day before arrival may incur one night’s total stay.
- Smoking: The hotel is entirely non-smoking and publishes a $250 room-smoking fee.
- Pets: Only service animals as defined by the ADA are allowed.
An illustrative two-room booking could require up to $200 in incidental authorizations in addition to the room bill. That is potential credit tied up, not necessarily a final charge. Compare the final booking total, including taxes and any mandatory fees, rather than the first displayed rate.
Restaurants and bars
Dining at Red Hawk is primarily about convenience: sit-down and casual choices let you stay on property. The hotel describes steakhouse and Asian dining, while The Apex Grill offers comfort food around bowling or karting. The Apex Sports Bar provides another place to watch a game.
I would look to The Apex for an uncomplicated meal around activities, rather than making a separate dinner outing the centerpiece of the visit. Check menus, service hours, and reservations: a casino operating around the clock does not mean every restaurant does.
The Koto Buffet dining policy requires reservations and sets a 90-minute dining time. Confirm the current price and service schedule, and plan around that window rather than treating the meal as an open-ended gambling break.
The Apex: bowling, go-karts, and group activities
The Apex is Red Hawk’s strongest argument for a mixed-interest group. It lists an 18-lane bowling center, indoor go-kart racing on a multilevel track, a golf simulator, arcade games, and virtual reality. Someone finished with gambling has alternatives without requiring everyone to leave.
Check heights before promising the whole family a race. The karting rules require drivers to be at least 48 inches tall. Junior karts serve drivers 48 through 57 inches tall; adult karts require at least 58 inches. Junior and adult races run separately.
The Apex’s published bowling rates list $40 per lane per hour Sunday through Friday until 5 p.m., rising to $45 from Friday at 5 p.m. through Saturday. These are lane prices, not per-person prices, an important distinction for a group budget.
Budget separately for activities, and confirm schedules and booking arrangements. Do not assume hotel reservations include admission or immediate availability.
Kids Quest offers hourly supervised childcare for children ages six weeks through 12 years, with photo identification required at check-in and check-out. Confirm availability and charges in advance. Family entertainment does not make the gaming floor a place for children to linger.
Parking, EV charging, and practical trip details
Directions and free parking
Red Hawk is reached from Highway 50 via Red Hawk Parkway. Sacramento-area visitors should allow for commuter and weekend mountain-bound traffic. Travelers approaching from Lake Tahoe should account for conditions on the mountain portion of Highway 50, especially in winter.
Covered self-parking and valet are free, although free valet parking does not address gratuities. Note your garage level before heading inside.
EV charging: complimentary and paid options
The property lists 28 garage charging stations and five available through valet. Complimentary garage chargers are on floors 1, 5, and 7 in the southwest corners and on floor 3 in the northwest corner. Faster chargers on floors 4 and 6 carry an hourly fee.
Check connector compatibility, pricing, and availability. I would not make the return journey depend on finding an unoccupied complimentary charger.
Smoking policy and accessibility
Red Hawk describes a non-smoking lower gaming level with more than 200 games and three restaurants. Its FAQ announces plans for non-smoking gaming on both floors, but does not establish that the change is complete. The hotel is entirely non-smoking.
If smoke exposure decides whether you visit, ask about the current floor policy and your route between parking, dining, and your room. A non-smoking level is useful, but it is not the same promise as an entirely smoke-free casino.
The hotel lists accessible rooms and facilities. Casino security offers a limited number of wheelchairs and electronic convenience vehicles. Contact the property ahead of time if equipment or a particular room layout is essential.
Red Hawk Rewards Club: what points are worth
Membership is free and requires age 21 or older and valid government-issued photo identification. The published earning rule on most slots is one point per $1 of coin-in, with 500 points redeemable for $1 in listed benefits, including free slot play and eligible comps.
As an illustrative example, $1,000 in eligible cumulative slot wagers would earn 1,000 points, with a published redemption value of $2. Coin-in means total wagering, including replayed money, not the amount deposited or lost.
My takeaway: use the card for gambling you already planned, but do not increase bets to chase points. Free slot play itself cannot be cashed out, although winnings can be kept. Points expire after six months of inactivity.
Who Red Hawk suits
Red Hawk suits visitors who want a substantial casino floor, an on-site hotel, and activities that keep a mixed-interest group occupied between gambling sessions. I would favor it for a short getaway built around bowling, go-karts, and casino time, with free parking helping contain arrival costs. Its self-contained location is less appealing if you want to walk to independent restaurants and shops, while smoke-conscious visitors should confirm the current casino policy. Choose a downtown Placerville hotel if walkability matters more than having gaming downstairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the gambling age at Red Hawk Casino?
General casino gambling requires age 21. The dedicated poker room permits guests 18 and older, subject to property policies. Bring valid photo identification and confirm access arrangements if you are under 21.
Does Red Hawk have a hotel and pool?
Yes. The hotel has 156 rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Confirm pool hours and availability for your dates.
Does Red Hawk have poker or a sportsbook?
It has a dedicated poker room but no on-property retail sportsbook. The Apex Sports Bar is a dining and sports-viewing venue.
Is parking free at Red Hawk?
Yes. Self-parking and valet parking are free. Faster EV charging carries a separate hourly charge.
Is Red Hawk entirely non-smoking?
The hotel is entirely non-smoking, and the casino describes a non-smoking lower gaming level. Confirm the current casino policy if you require an entirely smoke-free environment.
Is Red Hawk in downtown Placerville?
No. It has a Placerville address but is off Highway 50 near Shingle Springs, west of historic downtown.
Sources
The California Gambling Control Commission’s tribal gaming directory lists Red Hawk Casino as active. Property policies, dining information, and activity rates are linked in the relevant sections above. Game inventories, prices, and venue schedules can change; confirm any detail that determines whether you make the trip.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no on-site sportsbook.