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River Cree Resort and Casino Guide | LeoVegas ON

River Cree Resort and Casino

In an ideal spot near one of Alberta’s iconic cities, the River Cree Resort and Casino has become one of the hottest destinations for travellers to the province. Keep scrolling to find out how the River Cree Resort has earned its stellar reputation.

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The River Cree Resort and Casino is a complete entertainment and hotel venue that opened in 2006, situated just outside of Edmonton. Owned by the Enoch Cree Nation, you’ll find a grand four-star hotel, fitness centre, entertainment halls, meeting rooms, restaurants, and an extensive casino floor at this venue.

History and Background

The history of the River Cree Resort and Casino goes hand-in-hand with the Enoch Cree Nation’s discovery of oil and the subsequent need to diversify its incoming.

Origins and Development

Initially, the economy of the Enoch Cree Nation on their reserve was based on agriculture. Then, in 1947, they discovered oil, and that took over the glut of the Nation’s funding. Eventually, oil prices fell, so the band sought new ways to generate revenue, leading them to the creation of the River Cree Resort and Casino in the 2000s.

The Role of the Enoch Cree Nation

The Enoch Cree Nation built, own, and operate the River Cree Resort and Casino, which cost the First Nations band government $180m at the point of opening in October 2006.

Key Milestones and Achievements

In 2024, the River Cree Resort and Casino celebrated its 18th birthday, doing so with a monthly ballot to pay out a grand total of $100,000 to its lucky patrons. En route to this milestone, the venue won its seventh consecutive Readers’ Choice Gold Winner Award in the Casino category of the Edmonton Journal in 2020.

Location and Accessibility

Anyone who lives in Edmonton, Calgary, or anywhere in between will find it a breeze to get to Alberta’s gem of a casino resort. If you’re looking to go to the River Cree Casino from outside the province, such as from Ontario, you’d need to fly into Edmonton International Airport and then hit the road for 20 minutes to reach the resort.

Geographic Location

You can find the River Cree Resort and Casino just outside of Edmonton, to the west of the city. This places the venue in the heart of Alberta and roughly a three-hour drive north of Calgary.

How to Get There

The River Cree Resort and Casino isn’t in a secluded location and stands close to Edmonton. So, you can easily get there by car or public transport locally, or by plane if you’re coming in from outside of Alberta.

By Car

Driving to the resort is an easy option, with the River Cree Resort and Casino located just outside of Edmonton. Those who do drive can park for free, make use of handicap parking, or book in valet parking.

By Public Transport

You can catch a bus from anywhere in Edmonton to the West Edmonton Mall, and then over to the River Cree Resort and Casino. Likewise, the resort runs its own complimentary shuttle to and from the mall.

By Air

River Cree Resort and Casino is situated just 20 minutes away from Edmonton International Airport, making it very convenient to fly to Edmonton and then catch a ride to the resort.

Nearby Attractions

River Cree Casino sits very close to the city of Edmonton – just outside of the western edge. So, the nearby attractions include anything you could want to do in Edmonton!

Here’s a list of notable attractions:

  • Edmonton River Valley: A scenic park area perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and biking, featuring beautiful trails and views.
  • Fort Edmonton Park: A historical park that showcases Edmonton's history with interactive exhibits, including the Fort Edmonton Carousel.
  • West Edmonton Mall: One of the largest shopping malls in North America, offering shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including an indoor amusement park and waterpark.
  • Sea Lions' Rock: Located in the West Edmonton Mall, this attraction features live sea lions and educational exhibits about marine life.
  • Sea Life Caverns: An underground aquarium with a variety of sea creatures, including penguins and sharks, also located in West Edmonton Mall.
  • The Venue at River Cree: Hosts live entertainment events, including concerts and shows, providing a vibrant nightlife experience.
  • Twin Rinks at River Cree: Offers public skating and hockey leagues, making it a great spot for ice sports enthusiasts.
  • Golfing: An adjacent 18-hole golf course for those looking to enjoy a round of golf in a beautiful setting.

Casino Experience

The River Cree Casino is state-of-the-art, very well-lit, and is punctuated by its floral red floors. It’s a very inviting environment, made all the better by the friendly croupiers and luxurious tables.

Casino Layout and Design

The casino is sectioned into two areas. There’s the Main Casino Floor and the Embers. Embers is the smaller room where smoking is allowed, featuring world-class air ventilation to keep everything fresh. Here, you’ll find hundreds of slots and 14 table games.

The Main Casino Floor is where the rest of the action takes place. Some 1,000 slot machines stand in this glamorous gaming hall. There are also 15 regular table games and 11 high-limit variations on the likes of blackjack and baccarat.

Games Offered

The River Cree Casino offers an extensive selection of all the casino games you know and love. The total offering encompasses over 1,400 slot machines, 40 table games, and 10 VLTs to enjoy.

Slot Machines

Any casino floor worth its salt will be overflowing with slot machines. The River Cree Casino isn’t any different. With some kept to one side in the smoking part of the casino floor, there’s a grand total of 1,465 slot machines in the venue. Over 1,000 are found on the smoke-free Main Casino Floor.

Table Games

When people head to the casino, be it online or in-person, it’s often to play the classics. That’s why the live casino has become so popular so quickly! At the River Cree Casino, you’ll have a choice of 46 table games, spanning all of the most popular games like blackjack, roulette, and craps.

Poker Room

From online poker against the house to competitive player-versus-player tournaments, poker is a perpetual favourite at casinos. Knowing this, the River Cree Casino has set up 12 tables and a bar in its Poker Room.

Casino Promotions and Events

The River Cree Resort and Casino regularly has special promotions and bonus events in play across its hotel and casino. For example, there was the summer Fuel & Fun Package, which offered a one-night stay, a $10 slot voucher, and a $50 gas card per room per night.

On the casino floor, the general River Cree Casino promotions include Poker Monday Madness and its tournaments, Deep Stack Poker, the Lucky Ladies Tournament, and the monthly ballot Birthday Vault.

You can also join the Winner’s Edge loyalty program. This program runs monthly promotions to potentially enhance your point earning, win cash and prizes, and give members a 10% discount on select food and beverages.

Accommodation

As a top-class resort, you can plan your trip to River Cree knowing that you can stay on-site at its four-star hotel while exploring its other entertainment options and the surrounding area.

Types of Rooms

There are 249 guest rooms available at the River Cree Resort, offering a wide range of different ways to stay. If you’re going all-out on your trip, there are 11 luxury suites in the full-service hotel.

Standard Rooms

Found on the lower floors, the cheapest room types at the River Cree Hotel are the Traditional Rooms. You book the one king room or the two queens room, both of which are 29m2.

City View High Floor Rooms

There are two kinds of City View High Floor rooms available at the hotel. You can go for the three-person, one-king room or the four-person option with two queen beds. Both measure 29m2.

Suites

The suites are the finest rooms in the River Cree offering. You can book a Deluxe One Bedroom Suite, the Luxury One Bedroom Suite, or the Luxury Family Suite, which can fit up to six people. The two Luxury suites have two bathrooms and 84m2 of space.

Accessible Rooms

The River Cree booking portal and associated booking websites don’t currently provide information on accessible rooms or facilities.

Hours of Operation

The River Cree Resort and Casino is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. However, the poker room and table games only operate from 11am to 3pm.

Entry Requirements

You must be at least 18-years-old to enter the River Cree Casino, and those who look under the age of 30 will be asked to show a valid government-issued ID. Furthermore, anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused entry.

The River Cree Casino does enforce a dress code. Patrons are required to wear shoes and shirts. Face paint and masks aren’t permitted, and all bags will be inspected upon entry.

FAQs

Who Owns the River Cree Casino?

River Cree Enterprises Limited Partnership owns the River Cree Resort and Casino, which itself is owned and operated by the Enoch Cree Nation.

How Many Slot Machines Does River Cree Casino Have?

The River Cree Casino boasts 1,465 slot machines across its gaming halls. The Main Casino Floor offers the widest selection, while the smoke-friendly Embers room has fewer slot machines.

What is the Capacity of River Cree?

As a venue for an event, the River Cree Resort and Casino can hold a capacity of up to 2,079, depending on the setup and meeting room booked. The River Cree Entertainment Centre’s theatre has the largest capacity.

Does River Cree Have a Gym?

The River Cree Resort does have a gym available for guests. There’s a fitness centre with treadmills and weights, a pool on-site, and even a whirlpool.