Great Canadian Entertainment

Corporate history and expansion

Great Canadian Entertainment began operations in 1982 as the Great Canadian Casino Company, initially managing charity casinos and a casino at Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition. The company opened its first permanent casino in Vancouver in 1986 and undertook an initial public offering on the TSX Venture Exchange in 1992. It was renamed the Great Canadian Gaming Company in 1997 and achieved a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2004. A major expansion occurred in 2005 with the acquisition of several casinos in Ontario and Nova Scotia, though this rapid growth led the company to breach its debt agreements by March 2006. The company's operations have occasionally been subject to public scrutiny, including investigations into alleged money laundering at its River Rock Casino Resort, which the company stated it addressed by following all required procedures.

Further significant growth came through partnerships with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). In August 2017, Great Canadian, in cooperation with Brookfield Property Partners, won a bid to take over the slot facility at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack, as well as operations at Ajax Downs and the Great Blue Heron Casino. This deal faced political opposition from the Ontario Progressive Conservatives due to the money laundering allegations. In December 2017, the company, alongside Clairvest Group, secured the rights to take over four additional OLG facilities. A major leadership change occurred in January 2021 when president and CEO Rodney Baker resigned after he and his wife travelled to Yukon and misrepresented themselves to obtain COVID-19 vaccines intended for an Indigenous community. The corporate structure changed fundamentally in September 2021 when Apollo Global Management acquired the company in an all-cash transaction, resulting in its shares being delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and taking it private.

In 2024, Great Canadian began to pull out of the British Columbia market. The company sold almost all of its casinos in the province to local First Nations communities. The only casino it retained in British Columbia was Chances Dawson Creek. Historically, a significant portion of the company's revenue came from British Columbia, with 61 percent of revenues from the province in 2016.

Gaming and property portfolio

Great Canadian Entertainment operates a diverse collection of gaming and entertainment destinations across Canada. The company's properties are typically full-service venues that combine casino gaming with amenities like hotels, theatres, restaurants and live horse racing. As of 2018, the company's portfolio included 16,000 slot machines and 386 table games. Historically, gaming has represented the bulk of the company's revenue, accounting for 67 percent of total revenue as of the third quarter of 2017. In 2016, the majority of revenue (61 percent) was generated from British Columbia properties, with Ontario contributing 17 percent, Atlantic Canada 15 percent, and the remainder from the United States.

The company's properties are concentrated in three main regional markets. In Ontario, key destinations include the flagship Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto at Woodbine Racetrack, Pickering Casino Resort, Casino Ajax, and the Great Blue Heron Casino on Scugog Island First Nation. The Ontario portfolio also includes several Shorelines and Elements branded casinos in cities like Peterborough, Belleville, Gananoque, Brantford, and Hamilton, as well as racetracks with slot facilities such as Georgian Downs in Innisfil. In Atlantic Canada, the company operates Casino Nova Scotia locations in Halifax and Sydney, which were acquired in 2005, and Casino New Brunswick in Moncton, acquired in 2015. Following its 2024 market exit, its British Columbia holdings were reduced primarily to Chances Dawson Creek, having sold other major properties like River Rock Casino Resort and Great Canadian Casino Vancouver.

• Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto: Canada's largest casino resort, featuring the country's largest selection of gaming options, a 5,000-seat theatre, and a 400-room hotel.
• River Rock Casino Resort (Richmond, BC): The largest casino in British Columbia, includes a theatre and two hotels. It opened in 2004.
• Pickering Casino Resort: A major integrated resort in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Casino New Brunswick (Moncton): A full-service casino and entertainment destination in Atlantic Canada.
• Great Blue Heron Casino (Scugog Island, ON): Includes a hotel and is located on First Nation land.
• Elements Casino Brantford: Formerly OLG Casino Brantford, acquired by Great Canadian in 2018.
• Hastings Racecourse (Vancouver, BC): A horse racing track with 600 slot machines, acquired in 2004.
• Shorelines Casino Peterborough: A 75,000 square foot casino that opened in 2018.
• Elements Casino Surrey: A casino located in Surrey, British Columbia.
• Elements Casino Chilliwack: A casino located in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Flagship resort: Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, located at 1133 Queen's Plate Drive in Etobicoke, is the company's premier property and the largest casino resort in Canada. The resort is integrated with the Woodbine Racetrack and offers direct indoor access to an expansive gaming floor. It has the largest number of gaming options in the country, featuring a vast selection of slot machines, over 210 of which are in a dedicated high-limit area, and a wide array of live table games including classics like baccarat, blackjack, roulette, craps, and casino war. The property includes a luxurious 400-room hotel where many rooms offer panoramic views of the racetrack, allowing guests to observe live horse training and racing directly from their window.

Beyond gaming, the resort is a major entertainment hub. Its theatre, known as The Theatre, can accommodate up to 5,000 guests and hosts world-class concerts, comedy shows, and other live performances. Dining options within the complex are numerous and varied, ranging from a fine dining steakhouse and authentic Asian cuisine to gourmet pizzerias and modern bars. Amenities for hotel guests include an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna. The resort provides 3,800 spaces in a complimentary, secure, enclosed parking garage and offers a free roundtrip airport shuttle service to Toronto Pearson International Airport, which is approximately a 10 to 15 minute drive away. The property is rated as a 4-star hotel and has received a guest review score of 8.0 based on over 5,000 reviews, with WiFi, atmosphere, and location frequently praised by guests.

Loyalty program and guest rewards

Great Canadian Entertainment operates the Great Canadian Rewards loyalty program, which is free to join and provides benefits across its network of properties. Members earn points, known as Comp Dollars, through gameplay and visits, which can be redeemed for a variety of perks. These include purchasing event tickets at venues like the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto and Pickering Casino Resort, securing discounted or complimentary hotel stays, and accessing exclusive casino promotions and limited-time dining offers. The program is designed to enhance the guest experience by offering tangible value and recognition for frequent visitors.

The rewards program features multiple tier levels, with higher tiers unlocking increasingly exclusive benefits. In a partnership, Great Canadian Rewards and Venetian Rewards members can receive a complimentary tier level match, allowing them to unlock rewards across both programs at participating destinations. The program also extends benefits beyond casino visits through travel partnerships, offering members discounts or complimentary stays at Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas and providing up to 15 percent savings on cruise vacations with Norwegian Cruise Line. The program frequently runs promotions, such as offering new members a chance to win up to $10,000 in slot play on their first spin when using their rewards card.

• Earn Comp Dollars: Members earn points for gameplay and visits at Great Canadian properties.
• Redeem for Tickets: Comp Dollars can be used to purchase event tickets at resort theatres.
• Tier Level Benefits: Multiple membership tiers offer escalating rewards and exclusive promotions.
• Tier Match with Venetian: Members can get a complimentary tier match with the Venetian Rewards program.
• Travel Partnerships: Benefits include discounts at Atlantis Paradise Island and on Norwegian Cruise Line voyages.
• New Member Promotion: A first spin with a new card offers a chance to win up to $10,000 in slot play.

Entertainment, dining and amenities

Great Canadian properties are designed as comprehensive entertainment destinations, offering far more than just casino gaming. A central feature at several large resorts is a dedicated, high-capacity theatre for live performances. The Theatre at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, with a 5,000-person capacity, and venues at other properties like River Rock Casino Resort, host a constant calendar of events featuring major musical acts, comedians, and theatrical productions. These venues utilize advanced sound and lighting to create a high-quality audience experience, positioning the company as a significant player in Canada's live entertainment industry. The company also hosts regular casino events like slot tournaments, such as the Great Canadian Slot Classic Tournament which features a finale with a million dollar winner.

Dining is a major component of the guest experience, with the company operating approximately 80 dining establishments across its portfolio. Options range from quick-service outlets to high-end restaurants. At the Toronto resort, for example, guests can savour classic Asian dishes, indulge in a fine dining steakhouse, enjoy traditional Teochew cuisine, or grab gourmet pizza. Most on-site restaurants are located within the casino gaming floor, which restricts access to guests who are 19 years of age or older in Ontario. Other common amenities across the hotel properties include spacious guest rooms with modern furnishings, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages on the gaming floor, and extensive facilities for meetings and events, with spaces available for groups from 35 up to 100 people. The Copperhorn Private Room on the gaming floor in Toronto, for instance, can host up to 35 people for private events. As of 2018, the company's properties included a total of 500 hotel rooms.

Operational footprint and statistics

The scale of Great Canadian Entertainment's operations is reflected in its employment numbers, property counts, and financial metrics. At its peak as a publicly traded company, it employed approximately 9,400 people across its various properties. The company's gross gaming revenue for 2017 was about $1.2 billion, with net earnings for that year reported at $85.7 million. Its physical footprint includes not only gaming floors but also significant hospitality assets, with a total of about 500 hotel rooms across its portfolio prior to the opening of its largest resorts. The company's properties collectively included 16,000 slot machines and 386 table games at the time of its 2017 reporting, figures which have since grown with new developments like the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto.

Questions about Great Canadian Entertainment

What is the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto?

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is the largest casino resort in Canada, located at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke. It features the country's largest selection of gaming options, including thousands of slot machines and hundreds of table games. The integrated resort includes a 400-room luxury hotel, a state-of-the-art 5,000-seat theatre for live entertainment, and multiple dining venues. Amenities include free covered parking, an indoor pool, and a complimentary airport shuttle to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

What is Great Canadian Rewards and how does it work?

Great Canadian Rewards is the free loyalty program for Great Canadian Entertainment properties. Members earn Comp Dollars through gameplay and visits, which can be redeemed for event tickets, hotel stays, dining offers, and exclusive casino promotions. The program has multiple tier levels, with higher tiers offering enhanced benefits. Members also enjoy travel perks, including discounts at Atlantis Paradise Island and savings on Norwegian Cruise Line vacations. A tier match partnership with Venetian Rewards allows members to access benefits at participating destinations in both programs.

Where are Great Canadian casinos located?

Great Canadian casinos and gaming venues are located across Canada, primarily in Ontario, British Columbia, and Atlantic Canada. Key Ontario locations include Toronto, Pickering, Ajax, Peterborough, Belleville, Brantford, and Hamilton. In Atlantic Canada, the company operates casinos in Halifax, Sydney, and Moncton. Following a strategic shift in 2024, the company sold most of its British Columbia casinos to First Nations communities, retaining only Chances Dawson Creek in that province.

Who owns Great Canadian Entertainment?

Great Canadian Entertainment is owned by Apollo Global Management. The private equity firm acquired the company in an all-cash deal in September 2021. Following this acquisition, the company's shares were delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company was originally founded in 1982 as the Great Canadian Casino Company.

What kind of entertainment is offered at Great Canadian properties?

Great Canadian properties offer a wide range of entertainment beyond casino gaming. Their large-scale resorts feature major theatres that host concerts, comedy shows, and theatrical productions. The Theatre at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, for example, is a 5,000-seat venue with world-class production values. Properties also host regular events like slot tournaments and seasonal promotions. The venues themselves offer entertainment through numerous restaurants, bars, and, at some locations, live horse racing at attached racetracks.

What amenities are available at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto hotel?

The hotel at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto offers 400 modern guest rooms, some with views of the Woodbine Racetrack. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna for guest use. The hotel provides complimentary self-parking in a secure, enclosed garage and a free airport shuttle service to Toronto Pearson International Airport, though advance booking is recommended. On-site dining is extensive, with multiple restaurants located within the complex, though access to most is restricted to guests aged 19 and over due to their location on the casino floor.

Sources and further reading

• Great Canadian Entertainment (Wikipedia)
• Great Canadian Entertainment (greatcanadian.com)
• Casino at Great Canadian Toronto (greatcanadian.com)
• Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Etobicoke, Canada (trivago.ca)
• Your first look inside the stunning Great Canadian Casino Resort in Toronto (breakfasttelevision.ca)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-10.