River Rock Casino Resort

History and Development

The River Rock Casino Resort was constructed on the site of the former Bridgepoint Market in Richmond. It first opened to the public on June 25, 2004. The development required several variances from the City of Richmond, including modifications to its liquor and operating licences to permit alcohol service within its theatre venue. In its early years, the casino established itself as a hub for major poker events, hosting the British Columbia Poker Championships in November 2005, 2006, and 2007, as well as the premier event of the Johnny Chan Poker Championship in 2007. The property also gained cultural recognition by hosting the 2006 Gemini Awards, marking the ceremony's first West Coast presentation outside of Toronto. The River Rock has occasionally been used as a filming location for Vancouver-based film and television productions. In November 2006, three photographers made their way onto a closed section of the hotel's balcony intending to photograph actress Denise Richards during filming of the movie Blonde and Blonder. In an ensuing argument, she allegedly threw a laptop belonging to one of the photographers off the balcony, striking the arm of an elderly woman in a wheelchair. In 2024, Great Canadian Entertainment announced a comprehensive renovation plan to mark the resort's 20th anniversary. This plan included the introduction of new restaurants such as Gordon Ramsay Steak, Koi, and Miku, alongside the refurbishment of the River Rock Theatre, the expansion of event spaces, and the dredging of its marina. A significant ownership change was announced in October 2025, when the Snuneymuxw First Nation, in partnership with the Musqueam First Nation on whose land the resort sits, declared its intent to acquire the property from Great Canadian Entertainment for an undisclosed sum.

• June 25, 2004: River Rock Casino Resort opens to the public.
• November 2005: Hosts the British Columbia Poker Championship for the first time.
• 2006: Hosts the Gemini Awards and the British Columbia Poker Championship.
• May 26, 2006: Suspected loan shark Rong Lilly Li disappears from outside the casino.
• 2007: Hosts the British Columbia Poker Championship and the Johnny Chan Poker Championship premier event.
• 2009: Serves as the venue for the Miss Chinese (Vancouver) Pageant.
• June 2016: An audit finds the casino allowed chip purchases with funds from lenders under RCMP investigation.
• 2024: Great Canadian Entertainment announces a 20th-anniversary renovation plan.
• October 2025: Snuneymuxw First Nation announces plans to acquire the resort.

Gaming and Amenities

River Rock Casino Resort offers a wide array of gaming options across its expansive floor. The casino features 80 table games, including Four Card Poker, Texas Hold’em Bonus, and Fortune Pai Gow, with a particular emphasis on baccarat. Electronic gaming is provided through 1,150 machines, comprising slots and electronic table games. The property also includes a dedicated poker room for Texas Hold’em and an off-track betting parlour for wagering on horse races, with food service available. The resort caters to high-limit players through several exclusive areas. The Privé Slots room has British Columbia's largest selection of one-dollar slot machines and includes a private dining area. The Jade Room offers machines at various denominations in an exclusive setting. The Maple Leaf and Dogwood Rooms provide high-limit baccarat and blackjack tables in an open area, with the option for private rooms upon reservation. Beyond gaming, the hotel complex contains 396 rooms and suites, five restaurants, and versatile event spaces suitable for conferences and weddings.

• Poker Room: A busy room dedicated to Texas Hold’em.
• Main Gaming Floor: Hosts 80 table games including Four Card Poker, Texas Hold’em Bonus, and Fortune Pai Gow.
• Privé Slots: Features BC's largest selection of $1 slot machines and a private dining area.
• Jade Room: An exclusive area with machines at various denominations.
• Maple Leaf Room: An open-area space with high-limit Baccarat and Blackjack tables.
• Dogwood Room: Another open-area space with high-limit Baccarat and Blackjack tables.
• Off-Track Betting: A parlour for wagering on horse races with in-seat food service.

Entertainment and Events

The River Rock Theatre is a central venue for live entertainment, hosting concerts, pageants, and special events. The theatre has been a venue for Cantopop stars from Hong Kong on their North American tours and has hosted the Miss Chinese (Vancouver) Pageant, notably in 2009. The resort maintains a busy calendar of promotions and tournaments to engage guests. Scheduled events for 2026 include the $1,000,000 Lahal Slot Tournament running from September 28 to November 7, 2026. The property has also been used as a filming location for Vancouver-based film and television productions. A notable incident occurred in November 2006 when photographers attempting to photograph actress Denise Richards during the filming of 'Blonde and Blonder' led to an altercation where a laptop was thrown from a hotel balcony, striking the arm of an elderly woman in a wheelchair below.

Location and Transportation

The resort is strategically situated on Richmond's Sea Island, approximately five minutes from Vancouver International Airport and adjacent to Highway 99, the main route connecting Vancouver to southern suburbs. Its prime location on the Fraser River also features a 144-berth marina. Public transportation access is a key feature, with the casino served directly by Bridgeport Station on the Canada Line SkyTrain, located across the street. TransLink bus routes also operate within walking distance. In 2006, TransLink contributed significantly to the area's infrastructure, providing $9.5 million in land and $4.5 million in cash to fund the construction of a 1,200-space parkade. This facility serves both the casino and functions as a park-and-ride site for Bridgeport Station commuters. The resort's address is 8811 River Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 3P8, and the contact number for the property is 604-273-1895.

Controversies and Regulatory Scrutiny

The casino has been at the centre of several controversies related to illicit financial activities. A report from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation indicated that, out of 56 incidents in the province where a patron was barred for suspected loan sharking, 34 occurred at River Rock. The RCMP acknowledged the difficulty in prosecuting such activities without victim cooperation, yet loan sharking was suspected as a motive in related kidnappings, extortions, and violent crimes. The most prominent case involved Rong Lilly Li, a suspected loan shark who disappeared after being seen entering a van outside the casino on May 26, 2006. Her body was recovered on the weekend of September 9 to 10, 2006. Further regulatory issues surfaced in a June 2016 audit, which found that the casino had knowingly allowed high-roller patrons to buy chips with funds from lenders who were under anti-money laundering investigations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. These incidents have contributed to ongoing public and regulatory scrutiny of the casino's operations and compliance measures.

Dining and Hospitality

River Rock Casino Resort offers a diverse range of dining options that cater to various tastes and occasions. The resort's restaurant lineup includes Koi, which serves premium sushi and authentic Japanese cuisine in an elegant setting rooted in Japanese culinary traditions. The planned 20th-anniversary renovations announced in 2024 were set to introduce several new culinary venues, including the acclaimed Gordon Ramsay Steak and the Vancouver-based Miku. For more casual dining, the property features a coffee shop and cafe, and promotes buffet options such as a weekday buffet and a grand weekend dinner buffet. The hotel component of the resort provides 396 well-appointed rooms and suites, described as bright and contemporary with sophisticated furnishings in a gorgeous West Coast setting. The property guarantees its best available rates and offers free WiFi to guests. The event spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and can be configured for everything from intimate board meetings to large-scale weddings and corporate conferences. The resort's marina, with 144 berths, adds a unique nautical dimension to the guest experience.

• Koi: A Japanese restaurant offering premium sushi and authentic cuisine.
• Gordon Ramsay Steak: A planned steakhouse announced as part of the 2024 renovations.
• Miku: A planned restaurant from a Vancouver-based group, announced in 2024.
• Coffee Shop/Cafe: A casual dining option on the property.
• The Grand Weekend Dinner Buffet: An ongoing buffet promotion.
• $27.99 Weekday Buffet: An ongoing value-focused dining option.

Questions about River Rock Casino Resort

What games are available at River Rock Casino?

The casino offers 80 table games, including baccarat, blackjack, Four Card Poker, Texas Hold’em Bonus, and Fortune Pai Gow. It also features 1,150 electronic gaming machines, which include slot machines and electronic table games. A dedicated poker room offers Texas Hold’em, and there is an off-track betting parlour for horse race wagering. The resort caters to high-limit players with exclusive areas like the Privé Slots and Jade Room, which feature special machine selections and private dining.

Does River Rock have a hotel and what are its features?

Yes, the River Rock Casino Resort includes a hotel with 396 rooms and suites. The rooms are described as bright, contemporary, and deluxe, with suites offering luxurious furnishings. Hotel amenities include free WiFi, multiple restaurants, a 144-berth marina, and versatile event spaces for conferences and weddings. The property guarantees its best available rates for guests and the event spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Where is River Rock Casino Resort located?

River Rock Casino Resort is located in Richmond, British Columbia, along the Fraser River on Richmond's Sea Island. The property is situated about five minutes from Vancouver International Airport and is near Highway 99, the main highway connecting Vancouver to the southern suburbs. It is directly served by public transit via Bridgeport Station on the Canada Line SkyTrain, which is located across the street from the casino. TransLink bus routes also provide service with stops within walking distance, and a 1,200-space parkade serves both transit users and casino visitors.

What kind of entertainment and events are held at River Rock?

River Rock Casino Resort hosts a variety of entertainment and events in its River Rock Theatre. It has been a venue for concerts, including performances by Cantopop stars from Hong Kong, and has hosted the Miss Chinese (Vancouver) Pageant in 2009. The resort has also held major poker tournaments, such as the British Columbia Poker Championships and the Johnny Chan Poker Championship. It presented the 2006 Gemini Awards and offers promotions like slot tournaments, including a $1,000,000 Lahal Slot Tournament scheduled from September to November 2026.

How do I get to River Rock Casino Resort using public transit?

The primary public transit access to River Rock Casino Resort is via Bridgeport Station on the Canada Line SkyTrain, which is located directly across from the casino. TransLink also operates bus routes with stops within walking distance of the property. In 2006, TransLink provided $9.5 million in land and $4.5 million in cash funding for a 1,200-space parkade at Bridgeport Station. This parkade serves as a park and ride site for transit users and also accommodates casino visitors, making the resort highly accessible.

Who owns River Rock Casino Resort?

River Rock Casino Resort is owned by Great Canadian Entertainment. In October 2025, the Snuneymuxw First Nation announced plans to acquire the resort from Great Canadian Entertainment for an undisclosed sum. This purchase is being made in partnership with the Musqueam First Nation, on whose traditional territory the resort is situated. The property first opened to the public on June 25, 2004, and in 2024, Great Canadian Entertainment announced renovation plans to honour the resort's 20th anniversary before the announced sale.

Sources and further reading

• River Rock Casino Resort (Wikipedia)
• Welcome to River Rock Casino Resort (riverrock.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-09.