Casino Rama

History and Development

Casino Rama first opened its doors to the public on July 31, 1996. The casino was developed as a partnership between the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the provincial Crown corporation, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, with operations contracted to Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited. In 2007, a group of people, including several casino employees, were arrested after a police investigation into a $2 million cheating scam at the baccarat tables. The resort underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2013 to update its facilities and guest amenities. A cybersecurity breach occurred in November 2016 when hackers accessed the resort's private computer system, compromising sensitive financial and contact details of guests and staff. Like many entertainment venues, Casino Rama temporarily closed on March 16, 2020, due to provincial COVID-19 public health regulations. It announced its reopening in early July 2021 and reopened on July 29, 2021. The resort is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades as a leading entertainment destination.

Resort Facilities and Gaming

The Casino Rama Resort is a comprehensive entertainment destination spanning a significant footprint on First Nations land. The centrepiece is the 192,000 square foot casino floor, which offers gaming for adults aged 19 and over. The gaming floor features 1,800 slot machines and 50 table games, providing traditional casino experiences like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. Adjacent to the casino is a full-service 289-room hotel, which includes suites and accessible rooms for guests. The resort also includes a spa facility offering massages, facials, and body treatments for relaxation. Dining options are plentiful across the property, with ten different restaurants catering to a range of tastes and preferences. For financial transactions related to gaming, services such as Casino Credit and Front Money are available through the resort's Cage, following standard protocols for responsible gambling. The entire complex is designed to function as an integrated resort, combining lodging, dining, leisure and gaming in one location.

The Entertainment Centre and Live Events

The Casino Rama Entertainment Centre is a renowned 5,000-plus seat venue that hosts concerts, comedy shows and special events. This theatre has established a reputation for attracting top-billing international artists across multiple decades and genres. The venue's schedule is consistently filled with performances, with events booked years in advance into 2026 and 2027. A diverse array of world-famous musicians have performed there, from legendary vocalists to contemporary chart-toppers. The venue has also been a popular site for filming concert specials, such as those by the Irish music ensemble Celtic Thunder. Comedians and magicians are also regular features, with performances from major names in entertainment. Numerous Hong Kong-based performers and media personalities of the Cantopop genre have also held concerts at the venue. The following list highlights some of the many notable performers who have appeared at the Casino Rama Entertainment Centre over the years.

• Music legends: Tony Bennett, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Olivia Newton-John, Gloria Estefan, Lionel Richie, Tom Jones, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Art Garfunkel.
• Pop and rock artists: Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Ricky Martin, Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Jewel, Alicia Keys, New Kids on the Block, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Journey, Kiss, ZZ Top, Ringo Starr, Heart, Chicago, and Steve Miller.
• Country music stars: Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Clint Black, Gretchen Wilson, and Wynonna Judd.
• Comedians and performers: Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Howie Mandel, David Copperfield, Tim Allen, Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy, and Tom Segura.
• Canadian artists: The Guess Who, Burton Cummings, Colin James, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, and Doc Walker.

Upcoming events for late 2026 include a concert by Josh Ross on his Later Tonight Tour in November and an Elvis Christmas Special in December. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe is scheduled to perform in February 2027. The venue has hosted rock bands like 3 Doors Down, Alice Cooper, Bad Company, Deep Purple, Extreme, and Styx. This variety ensures the Entertainment Centre remains a major draw for the resort and the region.

Combat Sports and Specialized Events

Beyond music and comedy, Casino Rama has developed a niche in hosting live combat sports events, contributing to its diverse entertainment offerings. The venue has staged a series of boxing events promoted under the title Rumble at Rama, bringing professional boxing to the region. On April 2, 2011, the resort hosted a mixed martial arts event promoted as the first sanctioned MMA event in Ontario. This claim was not entirely correct, as an MMA event was held on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation three years prior, where Dan Severn defeated Ian Asham in the main event. In fact, seven MMA events were staged in Ontario before the event at Casino Rama. Later in July 2011, the resort hosted a televised event for the Bellator Fighting Championships, a major MMA promotion. These events demonstrated the venue's adaptability and its ability to attract audiences for high-energy sporting competitions. The combination of world-class concerts, comedy and combat sports ensures the Entertainment Centre's calendar remains varied and appeals to a broad spectrum of adult guests.

Ownership, Economic Role and Significance

Casino Rama operates under a distinctive ownership and management structure that reflects its First Nations foundation and provincial partnership. The Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation are joint owners of the facility, a model that shares economic benefits. Day-to-day operations are managed by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited under a contractual agreement. This model has established Casino Rama as Ontario's sole First Nations commercial casino, a designation that distinguishes it from smaller charity casinos in the province. It holds the title of the largest First Nations casino in Canada, representing a significant economic enterprise for the Chippewas of Rama community. The resort generates substantial employment and tourism revenue for the local area and the broader Simcoe County region. Its success over three decades has made it a template for Indigenous economic development in the gaming and hospitality sector. The upcoming 30th anniversary in 2026 is a marker of its sustained viability and cultural importance as a gathering place for entertainment.

• July 31, 1996: Casino Rama officially opens to the public as a landmark Indigenous enterprise.
• 2007: Police investigation into a $2 million baccarat scam leads to the arrest of a group including employees.
• 2013: The resort completes a multimillion-dollar renovation of its hotel and public spaces.
• November 2016: A cyberattack compromises the private computer system, accessing guest and staff financial data.
• March 16, 2020: Temporary closure due to COVID-19 public health regulations.
• July 29, 2021: Reopening after a 16-month pandemic-related closure.
• 2026: Celebration of the resort's 30th anniversary, highlighting three decades of operation.

Visitor Information and Location

Casino Rama Resort is situated in the town of Rama, Ontario, within the geographic municipality of Ramara, on the traditional land of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. The property is designed as a self-contained destination, with ample parking and resort amenities allowing guests to stay on-site for their entire visit. Visitors can book hotel stays directly through the resort or various travel and hotel booking platforms, with room prices and packages updated regularly. The resort promotes special offers and themed weekends, such as Big Weekends Away, particularly around its anniversary celebrations. While the casino and related gaming activities are restricted to adults aged 19 and over, the hotel, spa and many dining venues are accessible to all guests. The resort's ongoing renovations and event scheduling ensure it remains a contemporary and attractive option for entertainment seekers in Ontario. The resort's official website provides detailed information on upcoming concerts, hotel bookings, dining reservations and responsible gambling resources for guests planning a visit. The complex is easily accessible by car from major Ontario highways and is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Muskoka and Simcoe regions.

Questions about Casino Rama

What kind of shows and entertainment does Casino Rama offer?

The Casino Rama Entertainment Centre hosts a variety of international musicians, comedians and shows. It has featured performers like Tony Bennett, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richie, and Jerry Seinfeld. The venue also hosts combat sports events like boxing and mixed martial arts. Upcoming events include concerts by Josh Ross in November 2026 and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe in February 2027. It has also hosted Cantopop artists from Hong Kong and rock bands like Journey and Kiss.

Where is Casino Rama located?

Casino Rama is located in the town of Rama, Ontario, on the reserve land of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. It is within the geographic municipality of Ramara. This location makes it Ontario's only First Nations commercial casino and the largest of its kind in Canada. The resort is situated in the Simcoe County region, accessible from major provincial highways.

Who owns and operates Casino Rama?

Casino Rama is jointly owned by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. The daily operation of the casino is contracted to Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited. This ownership structure has been in place since the casino's opening in 1996. Gateway manages the day-to-day gaming, hotel, and entertainment operations under a long-term agreement.

What are the gaming facilities like at Casino Rama?

The gaming facilities at Casino Rama feature a 192,000 square foot casino floor. This area contains 1,800 slot machines and 50 table games for visitors, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. It is classified as a commercial casino, which is distinct from charity casinos. The casino floor is approximately 17,800 square metres in size and is restricted to adults aged 19 and over.

Does Casino Rama have a hotel?

Yes, Casino Rama Resort includes a hotel with 289 rooms, which includes suites and accessible rooms. The resort also features a full-service spa and ten different restaurants for guests. The hotel underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2013 as part of the resort's facility updates. Guests can book stays directly through the resort's website or various travel platforms.

When did Casino Rama open and is it celebrating an anniversary?

Casino Rama originally opened on July 31, 1996. The resort is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the year 2026. This milestone marks three decades of operation as Ontario's only First Nations commercial casino and the largest in Canada. The anniversary celebrations include promotions and references to the resort's renovated facilities.

Sources and further reading

• Casino Rama (Wikipedia)
• Timeline: an ongoing history of Casino Rama Resort (simcoe.com)
• Fascinating Facts About Ontario's Casino Rama Casino (canadianbloghouse.com)
• Casino Rama Resort, A Success Story 20 Years in the Making (multivu.com)

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