Canada has always been at the forefront of the casino industry. The first modern casino opened in Montreal, Quebec. However, it was not too long before Canadians traveled to other parts of Canada to experience new casinos and get 150 free spins for $1; this led many provinces to open casinos on their land. Today, Canada has over 80 land-based casinos spread throughout its ten provinces and three territories.
This article will not attempt to rank the 80+ casinos in Canada but instead, focus on provinces that have the best land-based casino experiences.
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Ontario
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Ottawa
Casino Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is regarded as having one of the leading and most innovative casino experiences globally: Casino Nova Scotia. However, it has not always been easy for Nova Scotia: its first attempt at a gambling establishment failed after running into several problems. The following two establishments were also closed due to a lack of business and competition from neighboring provinces. However, things changed in 1995 when the Halifax Casino was opened and got a runaway success.
Casino New Brunswick
New Brunswick has several casinos; however, none of them are as high profile as its leading casino: Casino New Brunswick. It offers Canadians and visitors alike top gambling action and accommodations. With several slot machines and an over 80-room hotel, it is considered one of Canada’s most premier gambling destinations.
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
Upstate New York is just across the border from Ontario, but what many people may not know is there is a popular casino resort just across that border: Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course. This property has been ranked very highly by customers for several years.
Calgary Casinos
Alberta is home to several casinos, but it has one that offers the most thrilling gambling actions at night: Calgary Casinos. The city’s casino and entertainment complex is named after its most famous thoroughfare: The C-Train. This property features over 5,000 slot machines and a 127-room hotel, and an 18-hole golf course situated on site.
Vancouver Island Casinos
British Columbia does have a lot of land-based casinos as well as some of the largest Indian Reservation casinos in Canada. However, none is as popular with locals on Vancouver Island as the Great Canadian Gaming Properties: Victoria Casinos. This local favorite is situated in a prime location and offers visitors an 8-story hotel, an 18-screen cinema, over 900 slot machines, and much more.
Ottawa Casinos
The nation’s capital has several casinos which offer gambling actions near the Canadian Parliament buildings: Ottawa Casinos. The most well-known facility is Casino Lac Leamy, which also happens to be one of the oldest in Canada. It offers plenty of table games and a wide array of entertainment options for people young and old. Another popular casino in the city is Rideau Carleton Raceway. While there are no hotel amenities at this racing venue, it does have a 400-room motel just down the street from the casino itself. Additionally, it offers some of the best racing action.
Other Casinos to Visit in Canada
Casinos in Ontario
Ontario is home to several popular casinos, but none are quite as well-known as Casino Rama. It offers visitors a wide array of gambling options with over 1,200 slot machines and eight different table games, including blackjack. However, this casino does not have any overnight accommodations on site – something that may keep it from being ranked higher on our list. Casinos in Ontario also include Mohawk Racetrack, which offers guests more than 1,000 slot machines and 35 table games, including baccarat and five-card poker. There are no hotel rooms at this property either; however, it offers live harness racing seven days per week and other entertainment options for guests.
Casinos in Quebec
Montreal, the largest city in French-speaking Canada, is home to several casinos and a popular casino resort: Casino de Montreal. It offers visitors over 1,700 slot machines and 25 table games, including blackjack and poker. It also has an on-site hotel which includes 238 rooms, as well as restaurants on-site for people who want to gamble on an empty stomach. Another upscale option is Studio Fix Nightclub which can be found on-site at this facility.
Casino Windsor
The first of two casinos located across the river from Detroit is Casino Windsor. This property offers more than just gambling action, with plenty of entertainment options available both inside the casino itself as well as throughout downtown Windsor. The complex has not only 600 plus slot machines but also more than 10 different table games. Live entertainment can be found here as well in the form of concerts, theater performances, and much more.
Casinos in British Columbia
British Columbia is home to several Indian Reservation casinos, including River Rock Casino Resort. It offers guests casino gaming along with a wide array of amenities that include accommodation options for people who wish to stay overnight. This resort features 2000 plus slot machines and over 100 table games, making it one of the larger casinos in all of Canada. Other popular casinos in this region include Grand Villa Casino, Garden Bay Game Centre, Coast Mountain Casinos Ltd., Cache Creek Casino Resort, Gateway Casinos, Edgewater, and many others.
What is the Best Way to Win?
Winning at a casino is all about playing the odds. Playing a game with a higher house edge will provide you with a better chance of winning at the same time as lowering your payout percentage. In addition, many real money casinos offer users numerous bonuses and promotions to help increase their bankrolls while they play popular casino games such as real money slots, real money blackjack, and real money roulette.
For the types of gambling that are legal in Canada, the legal forms of gambling in Canada include bingo, charitable gaming, lottery, sports betting, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. It should be noted that provinces can implement additional restrictions above and beyond what federal laws require; however, these practices are not common throughout the various regions across this country.
What are Real Money Slot Machines?
Real money slot machines are games that require real cash instead of casino credits. Online real money casinos offer slots to players around the world to provide them with a realistic gaming experience while simultaneously giving users the chance to win real money prizes. These games can be found at reputable real money casinos for mobile devices, desktop computers, and land-based casino floors across the globe.
The entrance is usually free because they are public casinos. In other areas though, fees can vary depending on the establishment and whether or not there is live entertainment provided. In this case, you may need to pay anywhere from $5 per person up to $20 during peak hours and drop these prices significantly when business is slow. Many casinos in Ontario offer players free admission, with some, such as Hollywood Casino, providing this service seven days per week all year long.
Canadians love to gamble, and the country has an immense land-based casino industry that attracts over 200 million visitors per year. The best casinos in Canada are located in Montreal, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Most of these resorts are full-service facilities that also include luxury accommodations for players who want to spend multiple days at one property.