The 10 largest casinos in Canada
Some 100 land-based casinos call Canada home, though it should be noted that the great majority of these are either “charity casinos” or form part of a “racino”-type setup. While charity casinos are much-appreciated for their disbursement of funds to non-profit and governmental organisations, these are mostly smaller outfits known more for a fun atmosphere, homey customer service and amenities like bingo than massive selection of games – all well and good, but sometimes players are seeking wall-to-wall slot machines and/or a wide range of table games.
Similarly, the gaming sections of racinos in Canada tend to be smaller affairs with a few hundred slot machines/video poker games and no table gaming. Naturally, exceptions do certainly exist – check out our writeup on Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack below – but generally the largest land-based casinos in Canada stand alone in independent facilities.
For those wishing to enjoy some Vegas-style action, CasinoCanada presents our list of the country’s biggest casinos.
What are the 10 largest casinos in Canada?
By any metric, the Casino de Montreal is clearly the winner among Canada’s largest casinos. Established in the French Pavilion of the old Expo ’67 grounds in 1993. The Montreal boasts over 3,000 slot machines/video poker games in its collection plus 100 table games and an 18-table poker room – it’s all spread out over five floors. Combined with the excellent atmosphere – professional in customer service, yet friendly – Casino de Montreal is clearly the highlight among Canadian casinos. If Las Vegas has a doppelganger in Canada, it’s this place.
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort broke up the monopoly on casino gaming in the ever-fashionable tourist destination of Niagara Falls in the mid-2000s. Not only does the Fallsview nearly double the Casino Niagara’s slot machine collection with nearly 3,000 to play, it’s the largest casino in Ontario province. The 200,000-plus square feet of gaming space at the Niagara Fallsview also includes 40 table games, a poker room which hosts regular tournaments and one of Canada’s largest sportsbook areas. Plus, a tremendous draw is afforded in the Fallsview’s views of the famous Falls from within the casino and the hotel.
Casino Rama is located just north of Toronto and outdoes the largest casino gaming experience in the big city (see directly below) in terms of game selection and entertainment options. As the sole non-charity casino in Ontario, Rama holds up the side for the commercial casinos nicely. Casino Rama includes approximately 192,000 square feet worth of gaming and hosts 2,500 slots/video poker games and 110 table games. Further, this one even outdoes the similarly-sized Niagara Fallsview with an astounding 10 restaurants in-house and a performance centre which can feature musical acts as well as MMA fighting.
OLG (or “Ontario Lottery and Gaming commission”) Slots is an oft-seen brand on Ontario casino marquees, particularly in connection with the many racinos in the province – however, none come bigger than Toronto’s OLG Slots at Woodbine Racetrack game room. Beginning with the world class racetrack which first opened in 1956. If you’re into equestrian events, you need no further enticement to get over to the Woodbine; if it’s casino gaming you want, you’re also in luck.At 2,500 slot machines alone, OLG Slots at Woodbine feels like a proper game room – and this OLG Slots franchise also brings some 40 electronic table games, the largest collection in Canada.
As the name indicates, Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino holds a distinction as the sole Vegas-owned casino in Canada. Sure enough, Caesars Windsor is pretty much exactly what you’d expect from the US’ gaming capital: It’s a 23-floor structure with a casino packed with 2,300-plus slot/video poker machines, 100 table games, a 14-table poker room open around the clock and a sportsbook that outdoes the Niagara Fallsview’s. Caesars Windsor is so massive – as well as massively popular to the tune of six millions visitors per year over its first 10 years of business – that management considers its primary competition the four larger casinos across the border in Detroit. In short, this is the serious player’s place to play in Canada.
Casino Niagara was the second casino resort in Ontario, arriving just two years after the Casino Windsor opened in 1994. Putting a gaming house in the tourist burg would seem like a no-brainer, and Casino Niagara has certainly reaped the benefits from hosting vacationers into three decades now. At 95,000 square feet, Casino Niagara almost seems quaint compared to its behemoth brethren like those listed above, but lots is done with the space: 1,500 slot machines, 40 table games and a 12-table poker room are in play here as well as a nice sportsbook. Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club is also in the building for some compensation after a bad run at the tables…
Ottawa isn’t particularly known for its gambling scene, but the Rideau Carleton Raceway & Casino is worth a look – if you catch them when they’re open, i.e. noon to midnight most days and noon to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. Beyond the horse racing is a 1,300-strong collection of slot machines and video poker games and about 30 electronic table games.
Since the River Cree Resort and Casino is located juuuuust outside of Edmonton, it figures that two full hockey rinks – used as practice ice by the Edmonton Oilers, no less – help make up the venue here. After more luxury resort-style amenities, there’s some nice action happening on the casino side as well. The list of games includes 1,000 or so slot machines, 40 table games and a high-stakes poker room. Also of note is the Tap 25, a combination sports bar/race book operation that offers international off-track betting.
Finally, we’re stretching the definition of “big” a bit to include Century Casino & Bowling in Calgary among a list of “The 10 Largest Casinos in Canada”, but, hey: Bowling! After 500-plus slot machines and 16 electronic table games, bowling would be awesome. What other casino in Canada includes a bowling alley? Hell, in Las Vegas you probably couldn’t find a bowling alley with 520 games in it. Who needs Sin City, anyway? Calgary has bowling in its biggest casino!