In Riverside County's desert. Fourteen bucks says no. But the Agua Caliente does have an authentic feel. An authentic casino doesn't allow gamblers to see from one end to the other. Gamblers who have a sense of confinement will, without even realizing it, relinquish the sense of possibility.
Caution overtakes wagering.
A sprawling casino, such as the Agua Caliente, loosens this psychological noose. The Agua Caliente looks like a real casino, too. Enter through tall brass doors and stand before an oasis of palm trees and waterfalls. I felt as if I had stepped out of the desert and into a unbelievably short line for the Jungle Cruise. I pictured a 1,000-seat Indian bingo hall.