The City Council voted 5-3 against allowing a fifth cardroom license within city limits Tuesday. “The question is simply: Do we want 15 more tables of gaming somewhere in the city?” asked Councilman Rob Fong before the vote. “For me, the answer is no.” Sacramento city code currently allows a maximum of four licenses – all four of which are held by open cardrooms in the city. Bill Hamilton, owner of the Old Tavern Bar and Grill in Midtown, used to have a cardroom license in the late 1990’s but let it lapse. The Gambling Control Commission recently adopted a regulation to allow some expired and inactive cardroom licenses to be reactivated under certain conditions. Gambling licenses in t

God may not play dice, but young adults in Sacramento do. An increasingly common site at parties, concerts and anywhere else lively friends gather is a small group leaning in at the circle they have created, usually accompanied by whoops and laughter, as someone is always winning in dice. all-about-dice.com cites dice as the oldest known gaming instrument on earth, having existed with the Native Americans and also imported to the United States with almost every other ethnicity. Playing or gambling with dice as the only object in the game is growing in popularity, almost always with several crumpled $1 bills piled alongside. As a social 23-year-old college student, I see my fair share o

Feeling lucky?  The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation (HOSF) is proud to present “Casino Royale on the River: Where Old Sacramento Meets Monte Carlo” aboard the Empress Hornblower at Old Sacramento’s waterfront on Friday evening, June 10, from 6-9 p.m.  With at atmosphere filled with excitement, guests will be immersed in a full casino experience on three decks brimming with fun, food, entertainment and adventure. Spirited guests are encouraged to arrive in black tie optional or historic attire and will be greeted by the Captain of the ship, music of the Gold Rush era and a glass of Sacramento’s new signature drink, The Gold Rush.  While enjoying a leisurely cruise up the Sacramento Riv

Sacramento gamblers tired of driving to Las Vegas to get their gaming fix can breathe a sigh of relief. The Sacramento History Museum is bringing the games to Old Sac with the first-ever Gold Rush Gambling Day. Although the dealers may be playing Three Card Monte instead of Texas Hold 'Em and the sinning might give way to educational outreach, it still promises to be a fun day. The event, which will be held on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Sacramento History Museum (101 I St.), is one of the weekend events that the museum holds every second and fourth Saturday. It is expected to last about one hour. The day will begin with a lecture about Gold Rush-era gambling games and life in the typical s

On June 5, the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation will host a Riverboat Casino Night on board the Delta King Riverboat, providing a colorful look at the world of the riverboat gambler. This event will feature authentic 1850s games of chance, including Chuck-A-Luck, Faro and Shut the Box, as well as more familiar games like poker and roulette. Also featured are a silent auction, live music and entertainment, and food and drink, all appropriate to the Gold Rush era. Re-enactors in period attire will add to the atmosphere of the event. While period attire is not required for those who attend, it is encouraged. Several stores in Old Sacramento, including Sacramento Dry Goods on Second and I St