Casinos in Ontario

Major Casino Resorts and Destinations

Ontario's casino landscape is dominated by several large-scale resort properties that function as comprehensive entertainment destinations. Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls is the largest and most elegant gaming resort facility in Canada, built on a cliff overlooking the Horseshoe Falls. Its casino spans 200,000 square feet, featuring over 3,000 slot machines and 100 gaming tables, and it operates two major entertainment venues: the OLG Stage and the Avalon Theatre, which host over 320 shows per year. Caesars Windsor, located across the Detroit River from the United States, offers Las Vegas-style glamour with over 1,700 slot machines, 85 table games, and regular poker tournaments within its expansive resort complex.

The property is renowned for The Colosseum, a live entertainment venue that hosts chart-topping musical artists and comedians. In the Greater Toronto Area, the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto holds the distinction of having the largest number of gaming options in Canada. This destination casino resort features 175 table games and 4,800 slot machines and electronic table games across a massive gaming floor. The resort includes a theatre with advanced sound and lighting for music, comedy, and theatre events, alongside multiple dining venues and a hotel. Casino Rama Resort, located on First Nations reserve land near Orillia, is a popular destination featuring a hotel, spa, and a variety of dining options like the Couchiching Court Buffet and MATCH Eatery & Public House.

Its casino floor offers a wide selection of slots and table games alongside a rotating schedule of events and entertainment. Other significant properties include Casino Niagara, which offers over 1,300 slot machines and 30 gaming tables, including a poker room, within 95,000 square feet of gaming space in the heart of the Niagara tourism area. The Shorelines Casino in Belleville and the Elements Casino in Brantford are other key gaming venues operated by major chains. These resorts collectively position Ontario as a premier gaming and entertainment destination, drawing visitors from across Canada and the northern United States with their combination of high-stakes gaming, luxury accommodations, and world-class performances.

Racinos and Charitable Gaming Centres

Beyond the large resort casinos, Ontario's gaming industry includes racinos, which combine slot machine gaming with live horse racing, and charitable gaming centres. Casino Ajax, located at Ajax Downs, is a prominent racino featuring 500 slot machines, including a high-limit area, and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The property, which first opened in 1969, also offers dining at its Getaway restaurant and free parking, providing a more localized gaming experience within the Durham Region. Similarly, Flamboro Downs in Hamilton and Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto integrate gaming with the sport of kings.

Charitable gaming centres, often referred to as charitable gaming houses, operate under a model where a portion of proceeds supports local community organizations. Rama Gaming House, with locations in Mississauga and Scarborough, is one such centre, offering over 200 Vegas-style slot games like Wheel of Fortune and IGT Progressive. It supports over 75 local charities through its operations. These centres provide a different social contract for gaming, where patrons' play contributes directly to community causes. The model emphasizes responsible gaming within a framework of community benefit, distinguishing these venues from the for-profit resort casinos.

The operations of these facilities are not without labour challenges. In 2026, approximately 900 workers at Casino Ajax and the nearby Pickering Casino Resort, both operated by Great Canadian Entertainment, went on strike after voting down a tentative agreement. The workers, represented by Unifor Local 1090, cited a lack of wage parity with employees doing the same jobs at other Greater Toronto Area casinos under the same management. The strike action, which began with picketers chanting for equal pay, highlighted ongoing negotiations within the industry regarding fair compensation across different locations. The workers rejected a proposed 14 per cent wage increase over four years, seeking a deal that would achieve full wage equality.

Gaming and Game Selection

The core offering at any Ontario casino is its gaming floor, which typically features a vast array of electronic gaming machines and live table games. Slot machines constitute the majority of gaming options, with titles ranging from classic three-reel games to the latest video slots with complex bonus features and progressive jackpots. Popular and recurring themes include adventure, mythology, horror, and pop culture, with games like Lightning 10 Year Storm, Mo Mo Mo Mummy, and titles based on classic monster films. Casinos frequently refresh their slot inventories, promoting new games with electrifying visuals and engaging gameplay to maintain player interest.

Table games provide the traditional casino experience with live dealers. Standard offerings include:

• Blackjack in its various forms
• Roulette (American and European)
• Baccarat
• Craps, including Fire Bet Craps
• Casino War
• Mississippi Stud

Many casinos also feature dedicated poker rooms for games like Texas Hold'em, often hosting regular tournaments. Electronic table games (e-tables) offer automated versions of popular games, sometimes with lower minimum bets, and are counted among the total gaming options at larger properties. The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, for example, includes e-tables in its count of 4,800 slot machines and e-tables, representing the largest selection in the country.

High-limit areas are a feature of many casinos, providing a secluded space for players wishing to wager larger amounts on slot machines or table games. Casino Ajax specifically advertises a high-limit slots area with popular games. For all gaming, patrons must be 19 years of age or older, and responsible gambling resources are promoted throughout the facilities. The variety and scale of games available are a primary marketing point for casinos, with larger resorts using the sheer number of options as a key differentiator to attract visitors seeking a comprehensive gaming experience.

Dining and Amenities

Modern Ontario casinos are designed as full-service entertainment complexes, with dining playing a major role in the guest experience. Offerings range from quick-service cafes and sports bars to fine dining steakhouses and authentic international cuisine. Fallsview Casino Resort features multiple restaurants, while Caesars Windsor offers upscale dining at Nero Steakhouse, authentic Italian at Spago Trattoria, and casual fare at Johnny Rockets. The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto provides a diverse set of dining venues like Copperhorn Meet House for steak, Lobster Legend Noodle Bar for Chinese cuisine, and The Northern Lights Bar for craft cocktails and bar bites.

Many casinos also include buffet-style restaurants, such as the Couchiching Court Buffet at Casino Rama Resort, which offers all-you-can-eat dining. Casual pub-style eateries are common, often equipped with numerous high-definition television screens for sports viewing. Casino Niagara's LEV2l Sports Bar on its second floor serves burgers, handmade pizzas, and salads across 275 seats with over 50 HD plasma screens. Similarly, the Overtime Sports Lounge at Fallsview Casino Resort is a dedicated sports fan destination with 260 seats and 140 square metres of HDTV screens, serving pub fare and drinks.

Additional guest amenities typically include complimentary self-parking in large, secure garages, with some properties offering valet services that can be paid for with loyalty points or comp dollars. Most major casinos are attached to hotels, providing modern accommodations for overnight stays. Casino Rama Resort's all-suite hotel includes luxury amenities like a full-service spa, eucalyptus steam rooms, an indoor pool, and a fitness facility. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages are often available on the gaming floor 24 hours a day, though beverage selections are subject to supply and operational considerations.

Live Entertainment and Events

Live entertainment is a major draw for Ontario's casinos, transforming them into key cultural venues within their regions. Major properties host hundreds of shows annually, featuring international musical artists, renowned comedians, theatrical productions, and special events. Fallsview Casino Resort is a premier example, hosting over 320 shows per year across its two state-of-the-art venues, the OLG Stage and the Avalon Theatre. Caesars Windsor's Colosseum is similarly famous for attracting top-tier touring acts, contributing to Windsor's reputation as an entertainment destination.

Casinos also host a variety of smaller-scale events and regular programming to drive visitation. These can include weekly slot tournaments, like the free Play N' Go Slot Tournament held on Tuesdays at Casino Niagara, which awards prizes to the top three scorers in every session. Themed nights, such as Pulse Nights at certain gaming houses featuring live music and dance, combine entertainment with special food offers. The theatres within casino resorts, like the one at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, are built with advanced sound and lighting to ensure a high-quality experience for performances.

Beyond public shows, casinos offer extensive facilities for private events and corporate functions. The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto markets its variety of event spaces for galas, fundraisers, photo shoots, and television commercials. Its meeting rooms can accommodate up to 100 guests, while the intimate Copperhorn Private Room on the gaming floor hosts gatherings of up to 35 people. This diversification into the meetings and conventions market allows casinos to utilize their facilities throughout the week and attract business clientele alongside leisure visitors. The range of event types highlights the operational flexibility of these large venues.

• Music concerts by chart-topping artists
• Comedy shows featuring renowned performers
• Theatrical productions and stage shows
• Weekly slot tournaments (e.g., Play N' Go at Casino Niagara)
• Themed party nights like Pulse Nights
• Corporate conferences and galas
• Private parties and celebrations
• Television commercial and photo shoots

Online Gaming in Ontario

iGaming Ontario oversees a regulated online gaming market for the province. It provides a safer choice by allowing play on sites offered by fully registered and approved operators. As of 2026, there are over 72 AGCO-licensed operators active in Ontario. These operators offer a wide variety of online casino games and sports betting. The regulated market is available to players who are physically located within Ontario.

The regulated online market is designed to channel players away from unlicensed offshore sites by offering a safer, government-sanctioned alternative. iGaming Ontario promotes playing on sites offered by fully registered and approved operators as the safer choice. Licensed sites are required to adhere to strict standards for game fairness, secure transactions, and responsible gambling tools. The online sector complements the existing land-based casino industry, with some operators being affiliated with physical casino brands. It also represents a distinct and rapidly growing segment of Ontario's gaming economy.

Players accessing online casinos must be physically located within Ontario and be 19 years of age or older. The variety of games available online mirrors and often exceeds that of physical casinos, featuring thousands of digital slot titles with themes ranging from vivid sci-fi adventures to classic fruit machines, along with electronic versions of all major table games. The convenience and breadth of selection have made online gaming a popular option. It exists alongside the experiential draw of destination resort casinos that offer dining, shows, and hotel stays.

Economic and Operational Context

Casinos in Ontario are major entertainment hubs that also host concerts, shows, and events. Facilities like the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto and Fallsview Casino Resort are significant destinations. These casinos offer a range of dining experiences from upscale to casual options. Many also provide accommodations for guests wishing to stay overnight. The industry supports various provincial programs through its operations.

The industry's structure includes a mix of ownership and management models. Great Canadian Entertainment is a dominant private operator, running a dozen properties including the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Casino Ajax, Pickering Casino Resort, and Shorelines Casino Belleville. Other facilities, like Caesars Windsor, are operated by international hospitality and gaming companies. First Nations casinos operate under their own governance structures on reserve lands, contributing economically to their communities. This blend of public oversight, private management, and Indigenous operation defines the sector's unique character in Ontario.

Operational challenges include labour relations, as seen in the 2026 strike at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort where workers sought wage parity with counterparts in Toronto. The industry must also continuously adapt to consumer trends, refreshing gaming floors with new machines, updating hotel amenities, and booking relevant entertainment to stay current. The rise of the regulated online market presents both a new revenue stream and a form of competition for the time and spending of gaming patrons. Casinos respond by emphasizing the comprehensive, social, and experiential aspects of a resort visit that cannot be replicated online.

Key operational requirements for patrons include age verification and acceptable identification. To sign up for a player rewards card, such as Great Canadian Rewards, individuals must present valid, original identification. Acceptable forms of ID include a valid Ontario driver's licence, a valid driver's licence from another province or country, a valid Canadian passport, any other valid provincial or territorial health card, a valid Canadian permanent resident card, or a valid Certificate of Indian Status card. No photographs or photocopies of identification are accepted at the guest services desk. These rules are standard across the industry to ensure compliance with provincial age regulations and responsible gambling protocols.

Questions about Casinos in Ontario

Are there casinos in Ontario with hotels?

Yes, several major Ontario casinos are integrated with hotel resorts. Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls has a hotel with rooms offering views of the falls. Caesars Windsor features an elegant riverfront hotel with modern accommodations. Casino Rama Resort near Orillia offers an all-suite hotel with a spa, indoor pool, and fitness facility. The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto also includes a hotel with spacious, appointed rooms. These properties are designed as full getaway destinations, allowing guests to combine gaming, dining, entertainment, and overnight stays in one location.

What is Casino Ajax known for?

Casino Ajax is a racino located at Ajax Downs, combining slot machine gaming with live horse racing. It features 500 slot machines, including a dedicated high-limit slots area, and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The property first opened in 1969 and also offers dining at its Getaway restaurant and free parking. In 2026, Casino Ajax, along with the Pickering Casino Resort, was the site of a strike involving approximately 900 workers represented by Unifor Local 1090, who were seeking wage parity with employees at other Greater Toronto Area casinos under the same management.

Can I play at online casinos in Ontario?

Yes, you can play at online casinos in Ontario through iGaming Ontario. It is the regulated online gaming market for the province. Players can choose from sites offered by fully registered and approved operators. As of 2026, there are over 72 AGCO-licensed operators available. This provides a safer choice for online gaming within Ontario.

Which Ontario casinos have the best entertainment?

Fallsview Casino Resort and Caesars Windsor are particularly noted for their world-class entertainment venues. Fallsview hosts over 320 shows per year across its two venues, the OLG Stage and the Avalon Theatre. Caesars Windsor's Colosseum is a known venue that regularly hosts chart-topping musical artists and comedians. The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto also features a theatre with advanced sound and lighting for music, comedy, and theatre events. Most casinos host regular events like slot tournaments, themed nights, and live music in their bars and lounges throughout the year.

What are the best casinos in Ontario for table games?

The largest casinos offer the widest variety of table games. The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto leads with 175 table games. Fallsview Casino Resort offers over 100 gaming tables, and Caesars Windsor has 85 table games. Standard offerings across these properties include Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, Casino War, and Mississippi Stud, with many featuring live poker rooms for games like Texas Hold'em. Smaller properties like Casino Niagara offer a more intimate setting with over 30 gaming tables, including a poker room, while still providing a comprehensive table game experience.

What is the largest casino in Ontario?

The largest casino in Ontario by gaming options is Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, featuring Canada's largest selection with 175 table games and 4,800 slot machines and electronic tables. In terms of a full resort facility, Fallsview Casino Resort is the largest and most elegant gaming resort in Canada, built on a cliff overlooking Horseshoe Falls. Fallsview has over 200,000 square feet of gaming space, which is the size of three football fields, containing over 3,000 slot machines and 100 gaming tables. Both are premier destinations, with the Toronto resort being the newest large scale casino and Fallsview renowned for its world class entertainment, including over 320 shows per year at its two state of the art venues.

Sources and further reading

• Casino at Great Canadian Toronto (greatcanadian.com)
• Fallsview Casino Resort (fallsviewcasinoresort.com)
• Casino Niagara: Resort, Casino (casinoniagara.com)
• Top casino gaming and entertainment (destinationontario.com)
• Casino Ajax (greatcanadian.com)
• Hundreds of casino workers on strike in Ajax, Pickering (cbc.ca)

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