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Casinos in Toronto

The first casino in Toronto was opened in 1999 at Woodbine Racetrack. The Woodbine Casino has recently undergone a $1 billion transformation and is now the site of Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, which opened in 2023 and is the only casino located in the city. Here is a look at the history of gaming in The Six and other casinos in Ontario.

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Introduction to Casinos in Toronto

Ontario has 28 casinos, but only one, Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, is located in Toronto. However, for most Torontonians, it’s a bit of a drive, located near Pearson Airport. Other nearby casinos are Great Blue Heron Casino, which is 90km from downtown, and Elements Casino Brantford, which is 100km away.

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto was previously known as Woodbine Casino but was reopened in 2023 after undergoing a $1 billion reconstruction. It went from a tired racino where not much had changed since the early 2000s to a mega gaming resort that can rival any casino in the country.

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto has 328,000 square feet of gaming space, more than 4,800 slot machines, more than 140 table games and a 400-room hotel. You can still tune into races at the legendary Woodbine Racetrack.

Woodbine Casino has provided thousands of Toronto residents with jobs and has paid the city of Toronto nearly $400 million in hosting payments over the last 25 years. Great Canadian Casino Resort is set to have an even bigger impact on Toronto, with an estimated $500 million worth of economic benefits to the city, and it will employ 2,000 people.

History of Casinos in Toronto

The first form of legal gambling came to Toronto in 1910 when horse racing betting was legalized across the country. In 1970, the federal government allowed provinces, including Ontario, to legalize and regulate gambling as they saw fit.

Five years later, in 1975, Torontonians were able to play the lottery for the first time. It was established by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), which still oversees the lottery today.

In 1994, land-based casinos were legalized in Ontario. The first casino, Casino Windsor, opened on May 17, 1994, and is still in operation today. In 1999, the first casino opened in Toronto. Woodbine Casino was located at Woodbine Racetrack near Pearson Airport.

It operated 24/7 and offered more than 3,000 slot machines and more than 100 table games. The casino was taken over by Great Canadian Entertainment, which conducted a $1 billion development. The new casino, dubbed Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, was opened in 2023.

Land-based casinos were federally banned in Canada until 1970, when the government decided to allow provinces to create their own legislation. However, it wasn’t until 1989 that the first land-based casino opened in Winnipeg.

Ontario legalized land-based casinos in 1994, and the city of Toronto finally allowed one casino to be built at Woodbine Racetrack in 1999, which is now the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. This remains the only casino allowed to operate in Toronto.

In Ontario and Toronto, land-based casinos are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO is responsible for licensing, compliance, and enforcement activities related to gaming operations.

The top casinos in Toronto are Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Great Blue Heron Casino and Elements Casino Brantford.

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto

The biggest casino in Toronto is Great Canadian Casino Resort, formerly known as Casino Woodbine. This new modern gaming resort was opened in 2023 after a $1 billion development project. Great Canadian Casino Resort is located at 1133 Queen’s Plate Drive and boasts a 400-room hotel and a 5,000-person theatre.

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is also in a league of its own when it comes to gaming options with 24/7 action. They have the most slot machines in Ontario at more than 4,800, including a great selection of progressives. There are also more than 100 tables where you can play blackjack, baccarat, casino war, roulette, craps and Mississippi stud. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto has a dedicated poker room where Texas Hold’em and Omaha games are constantly running. Limits range between 1/3 and 10/20.

The dining and entertainment options are endless at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, with big acts performing regularly. You will find everything from a fine dining steakhouse and gastropub to a Tim Hortons and a burger restaurant whipping up juicy burgers made from 100% Canadian beef.

Great Blue Heron Casino

Great Blue Heron Casino is located in Port Perry, Ontario, in a picturesque setting on Scugog Island. The casino offers a variety of gaming options, including more than 600 slot machines; table games such as blackjack, roulette, and poker; and a dedicated poker room. Great Blue Heron Casino also has a retail sportsbook where you will find great lines on all NHL, MLB, NBA and NFL games. After you’ve placed a bet, you can relax in the sports bar and catch the game on one of the numerous flat-screen HD TVs.

The casino features multiple dining options, including a buffet, casual dining at the Water’s Edge Restaurant, and a Grab & Go area. There are also some bars and a live music venue where bands play on the weekends.

Elements Casino Brantford

You can reach Elements Casino Brantford in one hour from downtown Toronto. At this casino, you can play more than 550 slot machines and table games such as blackjack, roulette, Mississippi Stud and Dragon Bonus Baccarat. Table limits start at $20, and action runs seven days a week.

This casino has a dedicated poker room with soft Texas Hold’em and Omaha games starting from 1/3 and a bad beat jackpot with almost $400,000 waiting to be won.

Elements Casino Brantford has some excellent dining options, including the Getaway Restaurant for casual dining and The Bar & Grill for pizza and poutine. There are also live DJ sets every Friday and Saturday night.

Casino Games Offered in Toronto

The most-played games at Toronto casinos are slot machines. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto has more than 4,800 slots, while Great Blue Heron Casino has over 600.

Slots are popular thanks to their winning potential. From stakes as low as $0.10, it’s possible to trigger seven-figure jackpots. At the same time, slots have interesting storylines with diverse themes, offering everything from Ancient Egypt and outer space to branded slots based on popular movies.

Slots also have unique mechanics that keep the games fresh and interesting. At Toronto casinos, you can play games with thousands of paylines, cascading reels and interactive bonus rounds.

Toronto casinos also have a wide selection of table games. There are classics such as blackjack, baccarat and roulette. You will also find lots of poker variants, from Texas Hold’em to Mississippi Stud. Other popular games are casino war, pai gow, sic bo and craps.

Table games at Toronto casinos are played on luxurious felt tables with expertly trained dealers who will show you the ropes. The games often have a social atmosphere, with people crowding around "hot" tables. The betting limits on table games typically start at $5 at Toronto casinos, with high rollers betting upwards of $50,000 per hand.

FAQs

Does Toronto have any casinos?

Toronto has one casino, Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, which is located at 1133 Queen’s Plate Drive.

What is the largest casino in Ontario?

The largest casino in Ontario is Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, which has a 400-room hotel, 4,800 slot machines and 145 table games.

How many casinos are in Toronto?

In Toronto, there is only one casino, Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. However, there are 28 casinos in Ontario.

What is Woodbine Casino called now?

Woodbine Casino is now called Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. In August 2017, Great Canadian Entertainment took over Woodbine Casino, built a new casino and renamed it.

Why are there no casinos in downtown Toronto?

There are no casinos in downtown Toronto because the government is concerned about the impact it could have on the local community.

What is the dress code for casino employees in Toronto?

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto employees wear business attire with collared shirts.

The legal gambling age in Toronto and Ontario is 19 years old.

Can tourists visit Toronto casinos?

Tourists can visit Toronto casinos as long as they are 19 years or older and have an ID confirming their age.

Can I smoke while gambling at Toronto’s casinos?

No, you can’t smoke while gambling at Toronto’s casinos. Smoking is banned indoors in Ontario and across Canada.

Are there accommodations available at Casino Toronto?

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto has a 400-room hotel with LED TVs, free wi-fi, blackout curtains and a coffee maker. There are fully stocked mini bars, and room service is available.

Learn more about different Canadian casinos

Great Canadian Casino Resort

Is the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto worth visiting? Find out what this resort offers and how to get there.