Caesars Windsor

History and Development

The establishment of Caesars Windsor traces back to 1993 when the Ontario government selected a joint venture of Caesars World, Circus Circus Enterprises, and Hilton Hotels to build and operate a province-owned casino. The venture began with Casino Windsor opening in a temporary location in May 1994, becoming Ontario's first casino. The interim facility was housed in the refitted former Art Gallery of Windsor on Riverside Drive and immediately drew record crowds, with line-ups often wrapping around the building. In response, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation brought a riverboat casino named the Northern Belle to the riverfront, which operated from December 1995 until July 1998 at the foot of Ouellette Avenue. Construction of the permanent facility proceeded concurrently on the former Windsor Market site a few blocks east, culminating in a grand opening celebration with a James Bond theme on July 29, 1998.

The 1998 opening introduced a resort featuring a hotel, five restaurants, gift shops, an entertainment lounge, and a tropical entrance with a waterfall. A major $400 million expansion project was announced in February 2005 and completed in June 2008, significantly transforming the property. This expansion added the 27-story Augustus hotel tower, a 5,000-seat entertainment centre named The Colosseum, and 100,000 square feet of convention space. The official relaunch occurred on June 19, 2008, featuring a performance by musician Billy Joel for an invitation-only crowd. The property has undergone other notable changes, including becoming one of North America's first smoke-free commercial casinos on May 31, 2006, in compliance with Ontario's Smoke Free Ontario Act. In January 2026, the nightclub Ariius was removed from the premises as it relocated to downtown Windsor.

Gaming and Facilities

Caesars Windsor operates as a full-scale, two-level casino resort offering a wide array of gaming options for adults aged 19 and over. The expansive gaming floor features more than 2,500 slot machines and over 80 table games, providing choices from classic favourites to the latest electronic gaming innovations. The casino also hosts poker tournaments and other gaming series events throughout the year. Beyond the casino floor, the resort is defined by its two prominent hotel towers: the 23-story Forum tower, which opened with the permanent casino in 1998, and the 27-story Augustus tower, added in 2008. These towers provide substantial accommodation capacity alongside resort amenities such as multiple dining venues, bars, a fitness centre, and an indoor pool, and they were both designed by WZMH Architects.

The property's non-gaming amenities are extensive and designed to position it as a destination resort. The Colosseum is a central feature, a 5,000-seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue that hosts major concert tours, comedy acts, and special events. The resort also has significant meeting and convention facilities, with 100,000 square feet of flexible space suitable for conferences, galas, and corporate events. Dining options range from casual eateries to upscale restaurants, catering to a variety of tastes. Renovations have included repositioning slot machines and table games, adding new bars, and introducing a large buffet area to enhance the guest experience.

Economic Impact and Competition

The economic history of Caesars Windsor is closely tied to currency exchange rates and cross-border tourism. In the late 1990s, the US-Canadian currency exchange rate gave people from the United States an economic incentive to gamble at Caesars Windsor, with the Canadian dollar trading below the sixty-five-cent mark compared to the US dollar. This favourable exchange rate drove millions of visitors from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois across the border annually. The casino's early success was a leading factor in the Michigan legislature authorizing the legalization of casino gambling in Detroit. The market changed after 1999 with the opening of three major casino resorts in Detroit: MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino.

The rebounding of the Canadian dollar, which broke the ninety-cent mark in 2006 and exceeded the US dollar by 2007, negatively impacted Windsor's tourist trade and the casino's US visitor base. Increased border security following the September 2001 attacks and a labour strike that closed the casino for a month in 2004 also contributed to a decline in American patrons. In response, management strategies evolved to focus on attracting clientele through the high-end Caesars brand and marketing the resort as a destination, while also promoting Canada's policy of not taxing gambling winnings. The casino now vies for both American and Canadian guests, with the latter sometimes drawn to US casinos when the exchange rate is favourable. Despite these challenges, Caesars Windsor continues to draw about six million visitors a year.

Management and Operations

Caesars Windsor is publicly owned by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) while being privately operated under a management contract by Caesars Entertainment. A significant portion of the casino's profits are returned to the provincial government as revenue. The operational identity changed in December 2006 when Harrah's Entertainment, which later became Caesars Entertainment, announced the rebranding from Casino Windsor to Caesars Windsor. This change coincided with the construction of the Augustus Tower expansion and was part of a strategic effort to leverage the upscale Caesars brand to attract tourists and reward loyal customers. The management's goal has been to transition the property from a day-trip casino into a multi-day destination resort.

Labour relations have periodically affected operations, most notably with a workers' strike that began in April 2018. The strike led to the effective closure of the hotel on April 6, 2018, numerous reservation cancellations, and the cancellation of concerts. The labour dispute was resolved with a ratification vote on June 4, 2018, and the resort reopened fully on June 7, 2018. Operational policies have also included pioneering public health measures, such as the implementation of a complete indoor smoking ban in 2006, which made it one of the first major commercial casinos in North America to do so. The management continues to adapt its offerings, as seen with the 2026 relocation of the Ariius nightclub, to align with market trends and guest preferences.

• May 1994: Temporary Casino Windsor opens as Ontario's first casino.
• December 1995: Northern Belle riverboat casino begins operation.
• July 29, 1998: Permanent Casino Windsor resort opens.
• May 31, 2006: Casino becomes smoke-free under the Smoke Free Ontario Act.
• December 2006: Rebranding to Caesars Windsor announced by Harrah's.
• June 19, 2008: Official relaunch after major expansion with Billy Joel.
• April 6 to June 7, 2018: Hotel closure and reopening due to a labour strike.
• January 2026: Ariius nightclub relocates off-site to downtown Windsor.

The Colosseum and Entertainment

The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor is a 5,000-seat entertainment centre that serves as the resort's primary venue for large-scale concerts and events. Opened in 2008 as part of the major expansion, it was designed to host top-tier touring acts across all musical genres, from rock and country to pop and comedy. The venue features advanced acoustics, lighting, and staging, along with VIP seating options, making it a key draw for the region. Its establishment solidified Caesars Windsor's shift toward becoming an entertainment destination, not solely a gaming facility. The Colosseum's schedule is consistently full, bringing world-renowned artists to Windsor and attracting audiences from across southwestern Ontario and Michigan.

The entertainment lineup for any given year is extensive and diverse. The 2026 schedule exemplifies this variety, featuring a wide range of performers scheduled throughout the year. The 2026 lineup includes Alice Cooper on November 6 and Mitchell Tenpenny on November 7. It also features Tom Jones on September 22 and Weird Al Yankovic on July 4. This full calendar ensures The Colosseum remains a central component of the resort's appeal, driving significant foot traffic and overnight stays throughout the year. The venue is a critical part of the resort's strategy to attract guests for multi-day visits centred around major events.

• Alice Cooper is scheduled to perform on November 6, 2026.
• Country artist Mitchell Tenpenny brings his Speed of Light Tour to the stage on November 7, 2026.
• Jake Banfield is also scheduled for a performance on November 7, 2026.
• Lee Brice is set to perform on November 19, 2026.
• Grace Tyler is scheduled for a show on November 19, 2026.
• Tom Jones is booked for a concert on September 22, 2026.
• Weird Al Yankovic is scheduled to perform on July 4, 2026.

Visitor Demographics and Accessibility

Caesars Windsor's visitor base is predominantly regional, drawing from both sides of the Canada-United States border. Historically, a majority of guests came from the United States, particularly Michigan, but the demographic balance has shifted over time due to economic and competitive factors. Today, the resort continues to attract about six million visitors annually, with a mix of Ontarians and Americans from the Midwestern states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The property's location is a key asset, situated on the Windsor waterfront with direct views of the Detroit skyline and proximate to the Canadian entrance of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, facilitating easy access for cross-border travellers.

The resort markets itself as a convenient getaway, offering packaged stays that often include gaming bonuses. Its positioning as a Caesars Rewards destination allows guests to earn and redeem loyalty points across the Caesars Entertainment network. While the casino actively promotes its offerings to adults, it adheres to all provincial regulations regarding responsible gambling. The facility's design, with its two hotel towers offering numerous rooms, ample parking, and multiple dining and entertainment options on-site, is intended to encourage extended stays, supporting its identity as a comprehensive resort destination.

Questions about Caesars Windsor

What is the legal gambling age at Caesars Windsor?

The legal age for gambling at Caesars Windsor in Ontario is 19 years old. This is the standard minimum age for casinos across the province. The casino enforces this age restriction at all entry points to the gaming floor. All guests must provide valid government-issued photo identification as proof of age before being permitted to gamble or enter certain areas of the resort.

When did Casino Windsor become Caesars Windsor?

The property was renamed from Casino Windsor to Caesars Windsor in December 2006. The name change was announced by the operator, Harrah's Entertainment, which later became Caesars Entertainment. The rebranding was part of a broader strategy to align the resort with the upscale Caesars brand and coincided with the construction of a major expansion. The official relaunch under the new name occurred on June 19, 2008.

What are the hotel options at Caesars Windsor?

Caesars Windsor features two distinct hotel towers. The original Forum tower is 23 stories tall and opened with the permanent casino in July 1998. The Augustus tower is a 27-story addition that opened in June 2008 as part of a $400 million expansion. Together, these towers provide a substantial number of guest rooms and suites. The resort promotes itself as a full-service lodging destination with amenities including an indoor pool and a fitness centre.

What kind of shows can I see at The Colosseum?

The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor is a 5,000-seat venue that hosts a wide variety of major concert tours and comedy acts. The 2026 schedule includes performances by rock legend Alice Cooper, country artists Mitchell Tenpenny and Lee Brice, pop icon Tom Jones, and musical parody artist Weird Al Yankovic. The venue offers standard and VIP seating options and tickets are available through platforms like Live Nation. It is a central pillar of the resort's entertainment offerings.

How did the 2008 expansion change Caesars Windsor?

The $400 million expansion completed in June 2008 fundamentally transformed Caesars Windsor into a larger destination resort. The project added the 27-story Augustus hotel tower, significantly increasing room capacity. It also constructed The Colosseum, a 5,000-seat entertainment centre for major concerts, and created 100,000 square feet of convention and meeting space. The expansion included renovations to the original casino floor, adding new bars and a large buffet, and was designed to help the property compete more effectively as a tourist destination.

Can you smoke inside Caesars Windsor casino?

No, smoking is not permitted inside Caesars Windsor. The casino became one of the first smoke-free commercial casinos in North America on May 31, 2006. This policy was implemented to comply with Ontario's Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which prohibits smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public places. The ban applies to the entire gaming floor, restaurants, hotels, and all other indoor areas of the resort complex.

Sources and further reading

• Caesars Windsor (Wikipedia)
• Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino, A Caesars Rewards Destination (trivago.ca)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-11.