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Grey Rock First Nations Casino Guide | LeoVegas ON

Grey Rock Casino

First Nations gaming is a relatively recent phenomenon in North America. It first appeared in Florida in 1979 when the Seminole tribe (of Hard Rock fame) opened a bingo hall. Although it may seem the same as any other gaming hub, First Nations casinos are law-bound to contribute to the tribe's prosperity, unlike Vegas-style venues that only have to appease tax authorities.

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The Britannica encyclopedia estimates that 150 tribes in 24 US states own casinos, but that number is significantly lower north of the border, in Canada. Fewer than 20 First Nations peoples have a casino, and they’re concentrated in Alberta (5), Ontario (3), and Saskatchewan (6).

New Brunswick has two. Casino New Brunswick operates out of Moncton, while Grey Rock Casino is in Edmundston on the US/Canadian border, close to Maine. This LeoVegas guide will tell you everything you need to know about the latter, Grey Rock Casino.

Grey Rock has a vast set of amenities. Play games, eat and sleep over, or buy First Nations art from the boutique. The Totem Rewards program has something special planned for your birthday month, too. We’ll have more on that later.

History and Background

Grey Rock Casino is located on the land of its people, the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation. It has a lot to tell its guests about. Founded in 2015 and attracting more than 100,000 people each year, the site is watched over by Glooscap, a figure who created animals from the earth. He's represented in a 40-foot totem pole.

The official website of Madawaska Maliseet describes the complex the Grey Rock Casino stands on as one of the tribe's "proudest achievements". Known as the Grey Rock Power Centre, the development has a hotel, mall, truck stop, and several restaurants. There are just 374 registered “Maliseets” in Canada, with 174 on the New Brunswick reserve.

Much like the Aseneskak Casino in Opaskwayak Cree Nation, times haven’t been easy for Grey Rock Casino. The owners currently pay the government and the tribe 40% of its revenue, in addition to CAD$44,000 per month to the province of Manitoba. These hefty sums almost closed the casino after just five years of operation.

Location and Accessibility

Madawaska Maliseet First Nation 100 Chief Joanna Boulevard,Saint-Basile,New Brunswick E7C 0C1 (506) 735-2820

There are two Madawaskas right next to each other on the US/Canadian border. Madawaska, the town, is actually in Maine, US. Madawaska, the county and namesake of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, is in New Brunswick, Canada. Travellers moving in either direction cross the 300m Edmundston–Madawaska Bridge.

Where is Edmundston? The city of Edmundston surrounds the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation in New Brunswick. As a visitor, it’s arguably where you’ll spend most of your time outside the 2x1 km extent of the Madawaska reserve.

Edmundston is known for its eateries and bars, including Mexican cuisine at ¡Qué Padré! Drinks are available at Resto-Bar Le Deck and Frank's Bar & Grill, while pizza and sushi are found at Pizza Le Patrimoine and Sushi World Restaurant.

Transportation Options

Head for the Grey Rock Power Center. For visitors from Canada, this can be as straightforward as taking the Trans-Canada Highway to Route 2. This road cuts through the middle of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, parallel to Chief Joanna Boulevard.

Quebec is the suggested airport for international visitors to Edmundston; the closer Mont Joli Airport to the north only has local flights to and from Moncton and Wabush. There is also a Maritimebus from Fredericton to Edmundston, also in New Brunswick.

Parking Facilities

RV parking is permitted at Grey Rock Casino. Places can be reserved via the Harvest Hosts booking portal. However, based on visitor reviews, spots are first-come, first-served. Parking is free. The Edmundston TruckStop+ has showers and washrooms, laundry, a pet wash, a store, and a fuel station. Some services, such as showers, are free with fuel purchases (250 litres minimum).

Gaming Options

Slot Machines

Grey Rock Casino has 270 slot games to try. Titles include Stuffed Coins, Crazy Chickens, Buffalo Ascension, and Great Guardians Link. The gaming floor is lit in a sunset orange and red, granting it a unique look among other First Nations casinos in Canada. Unusually, the Grey Rock has a section reserved for smokers with 21 slots.

Grey Rock Casino is also home to progressive jackpot slots.

Table Games

"Hybrid" or "E-tables" replace the felt and wood of table games at Grey Rock Casino, so our usual guide template doesn’t work for this Canadian operator. This applies to blackjack, poker, and roulette; unfortunately, craps isn’t available. Hybrid tables are chipless and support up to five concurrent tables. Elsewhere, you might know this playing style as stadium gaming.

Grey Rock Casino has Stadium Blackjack, Stadium Three Card Poker, Stadium Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Stadium Roulette, and Stadium Casino War. However, with no on-site poker rooms, there are no tournaments or cash games, and bingo nights have recently been cancelled.

Accommodations

Partner Hotels

Inn of Acadia, Comfort Inn, and the Quality Hotel & Conference Centre partner with Grey Rock Casino.

The 2.5-star Quality Hotel & Conference Centre is closest to the casino, situated at 110 Chief Joanna Boulevard on the northwestern border of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation. The Comfort Inn, a 2-star option, is approximately 1 km away from the casino at 5 Avenue Bateman, Edmundston.

Quality Hotel & Conference Centre prides itself on its access to the outdoors. It has a heated garage for snowmobiles and kilometres of offroading trails right at its doorstep. Free breakfast, free parking, and free Wi-Fi are included in the room price.

The Comfort Inn is part of the Choice Hotels franchise. This hotel has free Wi-Fi, a fridge and microwave, and a 55-inch TV in each room.

Finally, the Inn of Acadia is in the other Madawaska, the town across the border in Maine. This hotel comes highly recommended on TripAdvisor. The Inn of Acadia has a fitness centre, gym, workout room, bar, and free parking. Its restaurant specials are among the finest in Maine.

Hotel Packages and Deals

The cheapest room on the list is the Comfort Inn. Rates include breakfast. While the Quality Hotel & Conference Centre is more expensive than the rest, the Inn of Acadia’s high-class persona belies an affordable rates list. Some rooms come with a sofa bed.

Hotel guests who intend to play at the casino can buy Grey Rock Casino’s Stay & Play packages. For example, at the time of writing, you can pay an extra CAD$25 for your room and get CAD$50 free play at the casino. This offer is available at all three sites listed above and is subject to change.

VIP Services and Suites

While our trio of hotels might not dazzle travellers who are used to the luxury of Las Vegas or Atlantic City rooms, there’s still some glitz to be found in this corner of New Brunswick and Maine.

The Comfort Inn does not offer suites – or, at least, it doesn’t count its top-floor rooms as suites. The luxury tops out in the 1 King Superior Room.

Quality Hotel & Conference Centre has suites in either 1 king or 2 single, 1 queen and 1 sofa bed configurations, all of which have a kitchenette. You'll get a fridge and microwave, free Wi-Fi, a full breakfast, a desk, and air conditioning.

Inn of Acadia provides King and Queen suites. Both have kitchenettes.

The Totem Rewards program is Grey Rock Casino's equivalent to the Caesars Rewards loyalty program. Earn one point for each CAD$1 spent. Get CAD$5 to spend at 5,000 points. Totem Rewards also grants access to members-only promotions, including a chance to win CAD$500 in the month of your birthday.

Hours of Operation

Grey Rock Casino opens at 10 AM every day. It closes at midnight Sundays through Thursdays and 2:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Entry Requirements

While stressing that a dress code is “in effect” on its official website, the Grey Rock doesn’t go into details. Previous guests suggest a relaxed, casual vibe on the gaming floor.

FAQs

What are Grey Rock Casino's operating hours?

Doors open at 10 AM and close at midnight except on Fridays and Saturdays, when the Grey Rock closes at 2:30 AM.

Is there an age restriction for entry?

Guests must be 19 or older.

Are there any dress code requirements?

No.

What perks are available for visitors?

Grey Rock Casino offers free soft drinks and tea/coffee to guests.

How can I book tickets for events and shows at Grey Rock Casino?

Visit the Event Tickets section of the Grey Rock Casino website (in the drop-down menu under Entertainment) and choose the event you'd like to see. Checkout is handled via Eventbrite.