Pickering Casino Resort

Development and Context

The development of Pickering Casino Resort emerged from a complex provincial and municipal planning process concerning gaming in Durham Region. Initial plans by the operator, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, involved building a new casino in Pickering while the existing Casino Ajax in the neighbouring town was slated for closure. The Progressive Conservative government, led by Ajax MPP Rod Phillips, announced an agreement in principle to keep Casino Ajax operational with a reduced complement of 500 slot machines. This decision secured continued host community revenue for Ajax, estimated at $4.5 to $5 million annually, and preserved the adjacent quarter-horse racing industry at Ajax Downs. Concurrently, the City of Pickering moved forward with zoning changes to enable the Durham Live development, which included the casino resort. Municipal projections indicated the Pickering project would generate approximately $1.3 billion in incremental annual GDP and create around 10,000 jobs, with the city agreeing to share its anticipated $20 million in annual hosting fees with the regional government. The province's final decision established that there was sufficient demand in Durham Region for two distinct gaming facilities to operate for the benefit of both communities.

Gaming and Casino Floor

The casino at Pickering Casino Resort offers a comprehensive gaming experience for adults aged 19 and over, spread across multiple floors. The primary gaming floor features a vast array of over 2,200 slot machines, accommodating denominations from one cent to $100. The slot selection includes popular themed games such as Power Pig, Martian Madness, and the Mr. Lee and Mrs. Wong series, alongside progressive jackpot titles. Table game enthusiasts can choose from more than 90 live dealer tables offering classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. The casino features a dedicated stadium gaming area with over 50 electronic table game terminals, allowing for lower betting limits and automated play. A 24-hour poker room is situated on the third floor of the hotel tower, providing a dedicated space for card players. The casino is integrated into the Great Canadian Rewards loyalty program, which offers members access to exclusive draws, dining specials, and hotel discounts across the operator's properties. The slot machine library is frequently updated with new titles, featuring games with diverse themes from ancient adventures like Mo’mo’mo’ Mummy to seasonal offerings like Firecracker Fortunes.

• Power Pig: Slot game with playful graphics and oinking sound effects for an immersive experience.
• Martian Madness & Venus Vixens: A pair of space-themed slots with unique features and intergalactic bonuses.
• Mr. Lee and Mrs. Wong: A chart-topping slot series extension serving up thematic fun.
• Mo’mo’mo’ Mummy: Ancient adventure slot featuring Midnight Treasures and Mighty Pyramid bonus games.
• Go Ghost, Mo Mummy, Yo Yeti: A trio of character-driven slots with different win mechanics like credit boosts and multipliers.
• Firecracker Fortunes: Festive slot with Western Horizon and Northern Star variations for explosive features.
• Stink Link: Slot adventure inspired by Stinkin’ Rich, with Hawaiian and Wild West themes.
• Rising Rockets Emperor and Empress: Two majestic slot variations with dynamic reels and rocket-fueled bonuses.

Hotel and Accommodations

The Pickering Casino Resort Hotel is a 275-room, four-star hotel tower connected directly to the casino and entertainment facilities. Guest rooms are modern and spacious, featuring either king or queen beds, floor-to-ceiling windows in select corner suites, and amenities such as smart TVs, mini-fridges, and in-room safes. The hotel offers several suite categories, including spacious Corner King Suites with panoramic views and apartment-style Executive Suites located on the 14th floor. All guests receive complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and covered parking. The property is pet-friendly, accommodating cats and dogs weighing under 50 pounds. Based on over 10,000 guest reviews, the hotel maintains an aggregate score of 8.4, with particular praise for atmosphere, cleanliness, and comfortable beds. Average nightly rates fluctuate seasonally, with January typically being the cheapest month at around C$165 and August the most expensive at approximately C$266. To secure the best price, booking around seven weeks in advance can save approximately 23 percent compared to a last-minute reservation. Check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM.

Dining and Restaurants

The resort hosts a diverse collection of dining venues catering to a wide range of tastes and occasions. The offerings include full-service restaurants, a food court, and quick-service cafes. Copperhorn Meet House serves as the property's fine-dining steakhouse, featuring a menu of premium cuts and classic sides. Sun Sui Wah is a Chinese restaurant known for its handcrafted dim sum, premium live seafood, and traditional Hong Kong-style barbecue, including world-renowned roasted squab. For more casual fare, Rock House Grill operates as an all-day dining spot with a menu of burgers, salads, fried chicken, and omelettes, while Zio's offers freshly made Italian pizzas from classic pepperoni to artisan truffle mushroom. The property also includes a Starbucks coffee shop and several food court options such as Sun Express, serving noodles, fried rice, and bubble tea, and M Cha Bar, which offers poke bowls, sushi, and milk or fruit teas. Guests on the casino floor have access to complimentary non-alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day. The gastropub-style venue provides an expansive local craft beer menu alongside shared plates, meat, fish, and pasta dishes.

Entertainment and Amenities

Beyond gaming, Pickering Casino Resort is designed as a comprehensive entertainment destination. Its centrepiece is The Arena, a state-of-the-art, 2,500-seat multi-purpose venue equipped with advanced sound and lighting systems for concerts, comedy shows, and theatrical productions. For recreation, the resort features an Aquatic Oasis which includes an indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, and steam room, though guests must reserve time slots for access during weekends and peak periods. A fully equipped fitness centre is available for hotel guests. The resort also provides extensive facilities for meetings and events. The PIK is a flexible event space adjacent to the gaming floor that can accommodate up to 250 guests for conferences, galas, or private parties. The resort's sales team handles bookings for these spaces, which are marketed for corporate and social functions like fundraisers, photo shoots, and TV commercials. The diverse range of event spaces and configurations allows the resort to host gatherings of many types and sizes.

• The Arena: 2,500-seat live entertainment venue with cutting-edge sound and lighting.
• Aquatic Oasis: Indoor pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, and steam room facilities.
• Fitness Centre: On-site gym for hotel guests.
• The PIK: Multi-purpose event space for up to 250 people, adjacent to the casino floor.
• Complimentary Parking: Covered parking available for all guests.
• GO Transit Access: Direct adjacency to Pickering GO Station for service to downtown Toronto.
• Event Sales Contact: Inquiries for The PIK can be directed to sales@greatcanadian.com.

2023 Homicide Incident and Investigation

A tragic shooting occurred at the resort in the early morning hours of October 9, 2023. Durham Regional Police Service officers responded to a report of an armed person at the casino at approximately 5:05 a.m. and found 34-year-old security guard Michael Ferdinand suffering from gunshot wounds. Ferdinand was transported to a Toronto-area trauma centre but succumbed to his injuries. The incident prompted a lengthy interprovincial investigation. Police identified a 17-year-old male as a suspect and obtained a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest. With special judicial authorization under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, his name and photo were temporarily released to the public in November and December 2023. Following an extensive investigation involving multiple police services, including those in Calgary, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the accused was located and arrested in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in July 2026. By that time, the individual was 20 years old, of no fixed address but with ties to Toronto's Jane and Finch area, and was charged with second-degree murder upon being returned to Durham Region. The casino closed for three days following the shooting, and colleagues of Ferdinand held a vigil and organized a GoFundMe campaign to support his family, which had raised around $15,000 towards a $25,000 goal. The operator, Great Canadian Entertainment, stated it was working to support the family and would make a financial contribution in Ferdinand's honour.

Location, Accessibility, and Pricing

Pickering Casino Resort is situated at 888 Durham Live Avenue in Pickering, approximately 2.9 kilometres from the city centre and 36.4 kilometres from Toronto Island Airport. A key feature of its location is direct adjacency to the Pickering GO Station on the Lakeshore East line, providing a roughly 10-minute walk and easy rail access to downtown Toronto's Union Station. The property offers complimentary covered parking for guests, though the multi-level garage has been noted by some visitors as challenging. The resort's location within the Durham Live development area positions it as a focal point for entertainment in the eastern Greater Toronto Area, near landmarks like the Ajax Convention Centre, Millennium Square, and the Lake Ontario waterfront. Pricing for the hotel demonstrates clear seasonal and weekly trends, with the cheapest average nightly rate found in January at C$165 and the most expensive in August at C$266. The most expensive day to book is typically Thursday, with an average rate of C$268, while Sunday offers the best value at C$187 per night. These rates are subject to change based on booking site data and availability.

Comparison with Casino Ajax and Regional Impact

Pickering Casino Resort and the older Casino Ajax, located just 10 kilometres apart, represent two distinct gaming models within Durham Region under the same operator. Casino Ajax is a smaller, established facility primarily focused on slots and stadium gaming, featuring 500 slot machines following a provincial downsizing agreement from 800. It is integrated with the Ajax Downs quarter-horse racetrack, supporting the local racing industry which employs about 1,700 people in Ontario. In contrast, Pickering Casino Resort is a large-scale, destination-style integrated resort with a full hotel, major entertainment venue, and a much broader array of amenities. The provincial agreement ensured Casino Ajax would remain operational until at least 2026, with an option to extend for another 12 years, securing gaming revenue for Ajax that has totalled $80 million since the casino opened in 2006. The following table outlines key comparative metrics between the two properties.

The coexistence of both the Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax was a deliberate provincial decision to serve different market segments and maximize economic benefits for the region. Casino Ajax continues its operations under a renewed agreement, which also played a role in helping to save the quarter-horse racing industry in eastern Canada. Both facilities contribute significantly to the economic health of their respective host municipalities through substantial annual hosting fee payments. These payments are a key part of the financial arrangements supporting the local communities where the casinos are located.

Questions about Pickering Casino Resort

What is the address of Pickering Casino Resort?

Pickering Casino Resort is located at 888 Durham Live Avenue in Pickering, Ontario, with the postal code L1W 0C1. The property is situated approximately 2.9 kilometres from the centre of Pickering. Nearby landmarks include the Pickering Public Library, and the resort is also located close to the Ajax Convention Centre and Millennium Square. It is directly adjacent to the Pickering GO Station, providing convenient transit access to downtown Toronto.

Is there a hotel at Pickering Casino Resort and what are its amenities?

Yes, the resort includes a 275-room, four-star hotel tower. Amenities for guests include an indoor pool complex known as the Aquatic Oasis with a jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room, a fitness centre, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free covered parking. The hotel offers pet-friendly rooms for cats and dogs under 50 pounds and features suites with panoramic views. Guest rooms come with smart TVs, work desks, coffee machines, and floor-to-ceiling windows in select suites.

What happened in the 2023 Pickering casino shooting?

On October 9, 2023, a security guard named Michael Ferdinand, aged 34, was shot and killed while on duty inside the casino. The incident occurred around 5:05 a.m. Following a lengthy interprovincial investigation involving police from Durham, Calgary, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and the RCMP, a suspect was arrested in Saskatoon in July 2026. The accused, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was charged as a 20-year-old with second-degree murder. The casino closed for three days following the tragedy.

What is the difference between Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax?

Pickering Casino Resort is a large, integrated 4-star hotel, casino, and entertainment venue with over 2,200 slot machines and numerous table games. It features a 275-room hotel tower, a 2,500-seat arena called The Arena, and multiple dining options. Casino Ajax is a smaller racino focused on slot machines, with 500 slots, and is linked to the Ajax Downs racetrack. Both facilities are operated by Great Canadian Entertainment and contribute host fees to their respective municipalities, but they serve different purposes within the region's gaming and entertainment strategy.

What kind of entertainment is available at Pickering Casino Resort?

The resort's primary entertainment venue is The Arena, a 2,500-seat facility that hosts concerts, comedy shows, and theatrical productions. The property also features multiple restaurants and bars, an indoor pool area, and event spaces like The PIK for private functions. The casino floor itself offers over 2,200 slot machines and numerous table games. The resort markets itself for hosting corporate conferences, galas, fundraisers, and even TV commercials in its various event spaces.

What are the dining options at Pickering Casino Resort?

Pickering Casino Resort offers a diverse assortment of dining experiences. Options include the fine dining steakhouse Copperhorn Meet House, the Chinese restaurant Sun Sui Wah which serves handcrafted dim sum and live seafood, and the all-day dining at Rock House Grill. Guests can also enjoy Italian pizza at Zio's, a Starbucks coffee shop, and food court venues like Sun Express and M Cha Bar. The gastropub provides an expansive local craft beer and food menu, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages are available on the gaming floor.

Sources and further reading

• Welcome to Pickering Casino Resort (greatcanadian.com)
• Pickering Casino Resort Hotel (ca.kayak.com)
• Pickering Casino Resort Hotel (trivago.ca)
• Casino Ajax (greatcanadian.com)
• Province's decision to keep Casino Ajax open is the ... (durhamregion.com)
• Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in shooting of ... (cbc.ca)

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