Casino Regina

History and Heritage Building

The story of Casino Regina is linked to the history of Regina's Union Station, a Beaux-Arts style railway depot constructed between 1911 and 1912. This was the city's third train station, replacing an earlier CPR station that was dismantled and moved to Broadview. The new Union Station opened the same year the deadly Regina Cyclone struck the city. The building underwent a major expansion in 1931, during which its original façade was simplified into an Art Deco style using Tyndall stone, and terrazzo floors, marble columns, and plaster moulded ceilings were added to the interior. For decades, the station served as a vital transportation hub until nationwide Via Rail cutbacks led to its closure in 1990. Its future was uncertain until November 1991, when it was designated as an official heritage site. By 1995, a $37 million construction project began to adaptively reuse the vacant building, culminating in the opening of Casino Regina in 1996.

The conversion carefully preserved many historic elements of the former station. In the central hall, which was originally the main concourse, a schedule board remains on display showing the arrivals and departures for the station's final day of operation in 1990. The hall features a high ceiling with simple chandeliers and a prominent clock near the top of the back wall. The basement contains old railway police jail cells that were historically used for transporting prisoners. Evidence also remains of a system of underground passages that were said to stretch several blocks east and south towards the Hotel Saskatchewan, though these tunnels were largely destroyed during the construction of the nearby Cornwall Centre shopping complex. Today, the building offers regularly scheduled historic tours, allowing visitors to appreciate its architectural and social history.

Gaming and Amenities

Casino Regina offers a comprehensive range of gaming options spread across its historic premises. The gaming floor is home to approximately 800 slot machines, which include new favourites, classic reels, and linked progressive jackpots like the province-wide PowerBucks games. For table game enthusiasts, the casino provides 35 tables featuring classics such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. A dedicated poker room with eight tables hosts cash games, weekly tournaments, and signature multi-day events, some of which feature estimated prize pools reaching $1 million.

The casino complex also features several dining and lounge venues that often incorporate the railway theme. Patrons can dine at The Union Station and Rail Car restaurants, as well as in the CPR Lounge and VIP Lounge. Seasonal menus are offered, such as a holiday feast at Union Station featuring comforting classics. For quicker service, options like the Crossroads & Casino Moose Jaw Express serve items such as a burger with double beef patties, smoked white cheddar, bacon, and a house-made Canadian whisky BBQ sauce. Beyond dining, the exterior of the building is used for nightly LED light shows, adding a dynamic visual element to the downtown streetscape.

• Slot Machines: Approximately 800, including new games and linked progressives.
• Table Games: 35 tables offering blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps.
• Poker Room: 8 tables for cash games and tournaments.
• Dining Venues: The Union Station, Rail Car, CPR Lounge, and VIP Lounge.
• Quick Service: Crossroads & Casino Moose Jaw Express.
• Special Feature: Nightly exterior LED light shows.

The Show Lounge and Entertainment

A central feature of Casino Regina's appeal is its 800-seat Show Lounge, a modern venue dedicated to live entertainment. The lounge features three tiers of table seating on the main floor and hosts a diverse calendar of concerts, comedy shows, and special events throughout the year. The programming spans multiple genres, regularly featuring notable Canadian and international performers. For instance, the venue has hosted Canadian rock band April Wine, JUNO Award-winning country artist Brett Kissel on his acoustic tour, and holiday performances like The Tenors' Season of Hope Tour.

The entertainment offerings extend beyond musical acts. The Show Lounge has also presented themed productions such as 'Folsom Prison Revisited', a live show recounting the story behind Johnny Cash's famous prison performance, and 'Cirque Musica', which blends cirque performances with symphonic music. The casino actively promotes its events through a Players Club newsletter, which provides members with advance access to select shows. The venue also serves as a flexible event space for private occasions, with availability inquiries directed to the casino's administration.

• April Wine performed on November 7, 2026.
• The Tenors' Season of Hope Tour was scheduled for November 30, 2026.
• Brett Kissel's acoustic tour stop highlighted his 2026 cross-Canada itinerary.
• Cirque Musica offers a holiday-themed blend of circus and symphony.
• 'Folsom Prison Revisited' is a live theatrical show based on music history.
• The venue operates a three-tiered table seating configuration on its main floor.

Operations and Community Role

Casino Regina is owned and operated by Sask Gaming, a provincial crown corporation. It forms part of a network with Casino Moose Jaw, and promotions or prize draws often include patrons from both locations. For example, a 2026 promotion featured five draw nights with $20,000 cash prizes where winners could be selected from either casino. The operation employs 664 people, making it a notable employer in the city. A significant demographic fact is that over fifty percent of its workforce is of Aboriginal descent, reflecting a commitment to diverse employment within the community.

The casino manages a Players Club loyalty program, which offers members benefits like downloadable free play, member-only offers, and advance ticket access. This program undergoes an annual credit reset, a process that was actively resetting tier levels for all players in the database for the 2026 year. The administrative and promotional operations are supported by active communication channels, including social media accounts under the handle Casinos Regina & Moose Jaw. For gaming inquiries, particularly for poker tournaments, the casino provides a dedicated telephone line for registration and information.

Promotions and Player Events

Casino Regina runs a continuous schedule of promotions and special events designed to engage its Players Club members and attract visitors. These range from cash prize draws and slot machine jackpots to major poker tournaments and seasonal dining experiences. A prominent example was a 2026 promotion featuring five specific draw nights where $20,000 cash prizes were awarded to players using their Players Club card at 7:00 PM. Winners for these draws could come from either Casino Regina or its sister property in Moose Jaw. The casino also promotes its involvement in province-wide progressive jackpots, such as the PowerBucks slots, which are linked across multiple venues.

Signature poker events represent another major draw. The casino hosts multi-day tournaments with substantial estimated prize pools, one noted as being around $1 million, requiring early registration due to limited seats. Seasonal promotions are equally important, with the Union Station restaurant offering special holiday menus that feature seasonal favourites and comforting classics. The casino distributes details on all these promotions through monthly Players Club newsletters, which highlight the latest offers and upcoming shows for members.

Location and Access

Casino Regina is situated at 1880 Saskatchewan Drive in downtown Regina, on a street that was formerly known as South Railway Street. This central location places it within the city's core, easily accessible for both local residents and visitors. The specific postal code is S4P 0B2. For those seeking contact, the main telephone number is 800-555-3189, while poker tournament inquiries can be directed to 1-866-61-POKER. The venue also provides a separate number, 306-787-8248, for inquiries regarding event space availability for private functions.

The building itself is a landmark due to its distinctive Tyndall and ashlar stone architecture and its history as a railway station. Its downtown position makes it a part of the urban fabric, close to other attractions and the Cornwall Centre shopping complex. The casino's operation has ensured the preservation and active use of this heritage structure, allowing the public to experience a piece of Regina's history that might otherwise have been lost after the station's closure in 1990. The combination of gaming, dining, entertainment, and history in one location makes it a significant destination.

Questions about Casino Regina

What is Casino Regina and where is it located?

Casino Regina is a government-owned casino and entertainment complex located in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan, at 1880 Saskatchewan Drive. It is uniquely housed within the city's historic Union Station, a designated heritage building completed in 1912. The casino opened in 1996 following a $37 million conversion project. It is owned and operated by the provincial crown corporation Sask Gaming.

What kind of shows can I see at the Casino Regina Show Lounge?

The Casino Regina Show Lounge is an 800-seat venue that hosts a wide variety of live entertainment. The calendar includes concerts by Canadian and international artists, such as April Wine, Brett Kissel, and The Tenors. It also features comedy shows, theatrical productions like 'Folsom Prison Revisited', and special events such as 'Cirque Musica'. The venue offers three tiers of table seating on its main floor for an intimate viewing experience.

How do I get tickets for shows at Casino Regina?

Tickets for events at the Casino Regina Show Lounge are available through the casino's box office. Members of the casino's Players Club loyalty program often receive advance access to select shows as a benefit. The casino promotes upcoming events and ticket information through its official website and monthly Players Club newsletters. For specific inquiries, patrons can contact the casino directly.

What poker games and tournaments are available at Casino Regina?

Casino Regina features a dedicated poker room with eight tables. The room hosts daily cash games and weekly tournaments. The casino runs signature multi-day poker events, some of which feature estimated prize pools as high as $1 million. Players are encouraged to register early for tournaments through the box office or by calling the dedicated poker line, as seats are often limited.

What are the dining options inside Casino Regina?

Casino Regina offers several dining venues that often nod to its railway heritage. Options include The Union Station and Rail Car restaurants, as well as the CPR Lounge and VIP Lounge. Menus feature a range of items, from gourmet burgers with house-made sauces to seasonal holiday feasts. For quicker service, the Crossroads & Casino Moose Jaw Express provides a limited menu of hot food items.

Sources and further reading

• Casino Regina (Wikipedia)
• Home | Casinos Regina & Moose Jaw (casinoregina.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-12.