Of course, there are so many interesting places for gambling in Ontario that it would be impossible to include them on the list. From remote casinos in eastern Ontario through huge gambling centres in Downtown Toronto to a world-renowned casino overlooking Niagara Falls – there are many interesting places to put on your agenda. In this blog post, we will also explain to you how we ranked the top Ontario casinos. Without further delay, here are the main topics.
How Many Casinos Are There in Ontario – 20+ Operators
If you need an answer to the question ‘How many casinos are in Ontario?’, then the right answer would be ‘more than 20’. This blog post features a list of 19 great casinos in Ontario, and it is kind of incomplete.
There are also many great Ontario online casinos among other alternative options to gamble from your home or when you are on the go. Remember, always play responsibly and please, make sure you are at least 19 years of age upon registering.
However, if you wonder how many casinos in Ontario have a great location – may be the right answer is ‘all of them’. The top land-based casinos are concentrated mostly along the southern edge of Ontario and near the border with the US, where the biggest cities are. We will tell you more about their games, amenities, and other special features. So, in the next paragraph, you will find the full list of top casinos in Ontario.
List of Casinos in Ontario, Canada
If you are searching for a casino in Ontario, then you are in the right place. This list of Ontario casinos features everything you need to plan a vacation to a top gambling destination. Of course, there are always changes in this list, as some casinos may close temporarily while other new gambling centres open regularly. At the moment of writing this blog post, here is how many casinos are in Ontario:
How Many Casinos Are in Ontario? | Gaming Space (sq. ft.) |
Slot Machines | Table Games | Casino Resort Amenities | Operator | Overall Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort | 200,000 | 3500+ | 130+ | 372 rooms, 21 Club, Ponte Vechio, R5, Golden Lotus, Avalon Ballroom Theatre, entertainment centre | Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment | 10/10 |
2. Caesars Windsor Casino | 9,290 | 2230 | 85 | 700+ rooms, shows, Neros Steakhouse | Caesars Entertainment | 9/10 |
3. Casino Rama Resort | 192,000 | 1800 | 47 | 300+ rooms, 8 restaurants, entertainment centre, Spa | Gateway Casinos & Entertainment | 9/10 |
4. Pickering Casino Resort | 330,000 | 2200 | 90 | 275 rooms, 2,500-seat show theatre, restaurants, golf, Sportsbook | One Toronto Gaming | 9/10 |
5. Casino Woodbine | 38,000 | 3500+ | 100+ | Willows Dining Restaurant, Noodle Bars, Hoofbeats Lounge, Quick Bites, Racetrack | One Toronto Gaming | 9/10 |
6. Casino Niagara | 95,000 | 1400 | 40 | LEV2L, Market Buffet, shopping centres | Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment | 9/10 |
7. Gateway Casinos Innisfil | 87,000 | 1000+ | 26 | The Getaway Restaurant, Racetrack | Gateway Casinos & Entertainment | 8/10 |
8. Elements Casino Flamboro | 20,000+ | 1100+ | 12 | The Eatery, Racetrack | Great Canadian Gaming | 8/10 |
9. Great Blue Heron Casino | 35,000 | 600 | 30 | 100+ rooms, Waters Edge Restaurant, Quickbites, Noodle Bar | The Great Blue Heron Gaming Company | 8/10 |
10. Casino Ajax | 20,000+ | 800 | 10+ | Getaway Restaurant, Racetrack | One Toronto Gaming | 8/10 |
11. Gateway Casinos London | 65,000 | 755 | 22 | The Getaway Restaurant, Racetrack | Gateway Casinos & Entertainment | 7/10 |
12. Gateway Casinos Sudbury | 51,700 | 425 | 11 | Getaway Restaurant, Racetrack | Gateway Casinos & Entertainment | 7/10 |
13. Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands | 15,000 | 480 | 26 | Windward Restaurant | Great Canadian Gaming | 6/10 |
14. Elements Casino Grand River | 39,000 | 600 | 8 | The Eatery, Racetrack | Great Canadian Gaming | 6/10 |
15. Elements Casino Brantford | 30,000 | 500+ | 16 | Getaway Restaurant, Bar & Grill | Great Canadian Gaming | 6/10 |
16. Gateway Casinos Thunder Bay | 14,000 | 450+ | 12+ | Getaway Restaurant and Bar | Gateway Casinos & Entertainment | 6/10 |
17. Shorelines Casino Belleville | 48,000 | 450 | 20+ | Entertainment centre, Windward Restaurant | Shoreline Casinos | 5/10 |
18. Casino Sault Ste. Marie | 35,000 | 450 | 21 | Restaurant, bar | Gateway Casinos & Entertainment | 5/10 |
19. Cascades Casino North Bay | 39,000 | 293 | 6 | Match Eatery & Public House | Gateway Casinos & Entertainment | 5/10 |
Also, these casinos keep updating their gambling floors with more and new gaming machines, promotions, amenities, and other perks so that they can switch places based on their rankings. We used a series of key criteria for the overall rating of the top casinos in Ontario, such as the gaming area, a number of gaming machines, available promotions, and resort amenities, among others. That being said, let’s get started with the highest-rated casino in Ontario.
1. Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
This is one of the best casinos in Ontario, thanks to its picturesque location on top of the cliff overlooking the Horseshoe Falls, and we even included it in our Toronto casino guide. Moreover, the resort complex itself is a huge sight to witness on the city skyline, but the gaming floor of the casino features one of the largest collections of games in Ontario.
Niagara Fallsview Casino has over 3500 slot machines and electronic tables available 24/7. From electronic crabs to roulette, blackjack, mini-baccarat, and Sic Bo – there are plenty of classic table games as well. The sheer number of games is what makes it the best casino in Ontario. However, the premium location and the numerous amenities of the resort can only contribute to its highest rating in our list of casinos in Ontario.
2. Caesars Windsor Casino
The second place goes to Caesars Casino in Windsor, southern Ontario. It is located along the Detroit River and overlooks the city of Detroit, while its huge resort complex and numerous gaming machines also make it one of the most famous venues for gambling in Ontario. Caesars Windsor Casino features a relatively small gaming floor, but it is jam-packed with over 2000 slot machines and gaming terminals, as well as 85 classic table games.
This gaming destination also offers a sportsbook, as well as a wide variety of amenities. Examples include a 700-room hotel, spa and fitness centres, as well as several notable restaurants. Caesars Windsor Casino is also a preferred night-time destination for many visitors, as it features some of the best lounges, bars, and nightclubs in Ontario. It also has shopping and entertainment centres, so it is a highly recommended destination if you plan a longer trip.
3. Casino Rama Resort
Casino Rama Resort takes third place in our list, as it is part of the popular Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited. This is one of the main companies operating gambling establishments in Ontario. Casino Rama is one of their greatest ones in terms of gaming floor area.
The casino has almost 2000 slot machines within an area of 192,000 sq. ft. There are also dozens of classic table games, such as blackjack, baccarat, etc. Look at this promotional video of Casino Rama Resort for a glimpse of what to expect.
Also, it is a resort, so you can find all that you need for your perfect stay. From a 300-room hotel and eight restaurants to Spa and an entertainment centre – you should put Casino Rama Resort high on your agenda. Also, you can participate in one of the many promotions that take place regularly in the casino as a part of the Gateway Casinos & Entertainment loyalty membership.
4. Pickering Casino Resort
This resort has one of the most modern gambling floors in Ontario, and it is located just outside Toronto. It was opened to the public in the middle of 2021, so it is one of the newest casino resorts in the territory. Pickering Casino has the largest gaming floor among the casinos in Ontario reviewed in this blog post.
It comes down to 330,000 sq. ft., featuring 2200 slot machines, 90 live table games, and 52 stadium gaming terminals. It also has a huge resort area with all the accommodations and comforts required for your stay, including a 2500-seat show theatre and a golf course nearby. That’s why Pickering Casino Resort is one of the best places for gambling in Ontario.
5. Casino Woodbine
This is another one of the largest and most popular Toronto casinos, as it is located only about an hour’s drive from Downtown. It features over 3500 slot machines and a hundred classic table games, while the Woodbine racetrack makes it a top destination for those who want to watch or bet on horse racing. It also has about a dozen bars and restaurants within the complex, so it is a perfect choice for a weekend trip with your friends and family alike.
6. Casino Niagara
Perhaps, Niagara Falls is one of the most popular Ontario cities that accepts visitors from around the world who want to see the iconic waterfalls. Still, as you can guess, it is also a famous destination for gambling in Ontario. Casino Niagara is the second most famous gambling location in the city after Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.
It is smaller and, yet, it has over a thousand slot machines and 40 table games. It is also known to be the first to feature electronic roulette. A sports bar and 26 poker tables are another nice addition to its gaming floor, while several cafes, restaurants and bars will provide you with plenty of comfort between your gaming sessions.
7. Gateway Casinos Innisfil
This is another one of the largest Gateway Casinos. It has a huge gaming floor with a tonne of casino games, as well as a racetrack just behind the casino. There are over a thousand slot machines and 22 table games, as well as a high-limit area. The Stadium is another main attraction in Gateway Casinos Innisfil, as it has 17 interconnected personal play stations with multi-game capability, including baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and craps as electronic tables.
8. Elements Casino Flamboro
Great Canadian Gaming is one of the largest companies with facilities for gambling in Ontario, and Flamboro is certainly a place to visit. It is a huge gaming complex with a 20,000 sq. ft. casino floor and an outdoor racetrack. It offers over 1100 slot machines and 12 table games, as well as superb dining options at The Eatery on level 2. You can also take advantage of the Great Canadian Rewards programme, which is available at all the properties of the brand.
9. Great Blue Heron Casino
Great Blue Heron is a relatively smaller casino in comparison to the others above; however, it enjoys an unsurpassed location. It is one of the largest and most remote casinos in Ontario, as it is located on an island. It is also a resort complex with more than a hundred rooms, as well as all the other amenities required for your unforgettable vacation.
The casino floor will impress you with everything from 600 slot machines to 30 classic tables and top poker games. Poker players love to visit Great Blue Heron Casino, as it offers numerous limit and no-limit tables, including Texas Hold’Em and Omaha. There are TVs on the gaming floor, and the best thing is that it is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
10. Casino Ajax
Casino Ajax is located at a very close distance from Pickering Casino Resort on the eastern outskirts of Toronto, and it is a smaller casino in comparison to Pickering. However, it is also worth a visit, as it has over 800 slot machines and about a dozen table games.
It also has a racetrack, the only one in Ontario where you can experience Quarter Horse Racing. In addition to the fantastic gaming options, Casino Ajax also offers tempting choices for dining, as well as the Great Canadian Rewards programme for those who prefer to play with a bonus.
11. Gateway Casinos London
The southern area of Ontario has another famous gambling destination that is part of the Gateway Casinos. It comes down to the Gateway Casinos London, which is also one of the huge ON gambling resorts with a racetrack. This casino offers 755 slot terminals and some of the best and latest electronic tables in Ontario. It also has dozens of classic tables, including roulette, blackjack, Mississippi Stud Poker and Mini-Baccarat.
12. Gateway Casinos Sudbury
We could be way beyond the top ten casinos in Ontario, but we included another one of the Gateway Casinos as a highly recommended gambling destination. Gateway Casinos Sudbury has a gaming floor of over 50,000 sq. ft. and it includes everything from electronic tables and slot machines to roulette, blackjack, and other live tables. You can get a bunch of club rewards as well, while the racetrack offers top betting opportunities on horse races.
13. Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands
Although it is considered a premium location for gambling in Ontario, we put Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands a little bit down in the ranking, as it does not have as many games as the previous casinos. Also, it does not offer accommodations, but its remote location is where it excels. It is located just outside the town of Gananoque and, yet, it is a place where you can enjoy a superb gambling experience.
The casino offers 480 slot machines and 26 table games, as well as a restaurant for fine dining. You can also take advantage of your Great Canadian Rewards card, as in 2016, Great Canadian Gaming took over the casino operation.
14. Elements Casino Grand River
This Elements Casino is in Elora and is also one of the top remote establishments for gambling in Ontario. Its gaming floor of almost 40,000 sq. ft. has 600 slot machines and only eight table games, but they are more than enough for a nice roulette or blackjack session. Elements Casino Grand River is highly recommended to low-stakes players, thanks to its numerous penny slots and $5 machines. Also, some great horse races are held at the Grand River Raceway just outside the casino.
15. Elements Casino Brantford
This is another popular casino operated by Great Canadian Gaming, and it is located in Downtown Brantford. It offers over 500 slot machines and 16 table games, and it may not have a racetrack, but all the comforts and amenities of the big city are at a short walking distance. The high-limit slots and table games are always other options for high rollers, especially when combined with a Great Canadian Rewards card.
16. Cascades Casino Thunder Bay
Cascades Casino Thunder Bay is scenically located along the shores of Lake Superior, and it is one of the northernmost Ontario casinos. Its 450 slot machines, 18 electronic games and 6 classic tables offer all that you need for a great gambling experience in the upper Ontario area. Although it is one of the smallest Casinos in Ontario, it features the Gateway Restaurant & Bar, while the numerous amenities of Thunder Bay city are all around the casino.
17. Shorelines Casino Belleville
Shorelines Casino Belleville has a lot to offer to its gambling enthusiasts, as its gaming floor features over 500 slot machines, including 1-cent slots and high-limit machines. The table games are also numerous and diverse – they include everything from blackjack to roulette. You can also find many electronic versions of these classic table games.
Shorelines Casino Belleville is a top casino in Ontario where you can play Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold ’em . High rollers are often tempted by the jackpot slots, which include weekly and monthly jackpots. Windward Restaurant & Lounge will take care of your longer stay, as it is one of the best dining places in the area.
18. Casino Sault Ste. Marie
This casino is one of the biggest landmarks in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It has a huge gaming floor of 35,000 sq. ft., and it offers a decent number of games; 21 classic tables and 450 slot machines. It is part of the Gateway Casinos so that you can take advantage of many promotions with your membership card. Without a doubt, this is the biggest casino in the city, and it is highly recommended.
19. Gateway Casinos North Bay
If you ask someone ‘How many casinos are in Ontario?’, he or she would probably answer 18 casinos, but we would add another one of the Gateway Casinos to this list. It comes down to Gateway Casinos North Bay, which is also known as Cascades Casino North Bay.
It has a contemporary-themed pub, while the gaming machines include almost 300 slots and six table games. Among the most popular of them is Wheel of Fortune, Blazing 7’s, and Double Diamond, and there are ten electronic tables as well, including Three Card Poker.
Regulation & Responsible Gambling in Ontario
The land-based casinos in Ontario are licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and it is currently responsible for 25 gambling establishments. So, if someone asks you ‘How many casinos are there in Ontario?’, it would be safe to say 25. AGCO also regulates the horse racing sector, so you can be sure that the racetracks that are part of some of the best Ontario casinos are also 100% legitimate.
These gambling establishments also take responsible gaming very seriously, according to the Canadian gambling laws. They are also certified by socially responsible organisations, such as iGaming Ontario, and they follow strict rules to prevent underage gambling or gambling abuse. Here are a few facts about the top casinos in Ontario when it comes down to their regulation and socially responsible practices.
- You must be at least 12 years of age to enter the entertainment centres of the casino resorts.
- You must be at least 19 years of age and present a valid government-issued photo to enter a casino gaming floor.
- You must be at least 21 years of age and present a secondary piece of identification to play casino games.
- Those who do not comply with the age restriction may be forbidden to visit a casino, participate in promotions, or redeem offers.
- Like at most Canadian casino sites, you need to be at least 19 or older and play at Ontario online casinos.
- ConnexOntario and Ontario iGaming are the main organisations that provide information and help through their socially responsible services.
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides mental health services and treatment of gambling addiction issues.
Also, the full list of Ontario casinos changes regularly. Some casino establishments changed management and company operators in recent years, while others are renovated or built from the ground up. Some casinos also close for various reasons, temporarily or permanently, and that’s why it is important to see if your favourite casino is open before you plan your visit.
Shortly put, in accordance with the Province of Ontario, the temporarily closed casinos will reopen as of March 2022, as masks and/or face coverings will not be required on the gambling floor or indoor dining establishments. Yet, the top socially responsible casinos respect everyone’s choice to continue to wear a mask after March 2022, but if you do so, you will be asked to remove it temporarily for ID purposes.
Ontario Casinos – Rating Factors
Several key factors played a major role in the ranking of the Ontario casinos on our list. For instance, the premium location is one of the most important reasons why we set Niagara Fallsview Resort as number one on the list of casinos in Ontario. Secondly, it is not just a huge casino but also a resort complex that overlooks Niagara Falls, while many of the lower-ranking casinos feature only a gaming floor and a restaurant.
Of course, the game variety is another key factor, as we prioritised casinos that offer over a thousand slot machines. For example, lower-ranking gambling venues have 400 or fewer slot machines. It is also important to know the variety of these slot machines and whether or not they are from famous game providers, how popular their titles are, whether or not they have a jackpot, etc. Next, you will find more details about how we rated all the casinos in Ontario.
✔️ Legitimacy of the Operator | A legitimate casino in Ontario should be licensed and regulated by the AGCO. It should also offer responsible gaming features. |
✔️ Reputation of the Company Owner | Most casinos in Ontario are owned by renowned companies, such as Gateway Casinos & Entertainment and Great Canadian Gaming. |
✔️ Facility Features | The top Ontario casinos are part of larger resort complexes with accommodations, restaurants, and other amenities and/or feature a racetrack. |
✔️ Gaming Floor Area & Features | The higher-ranking casinos have an area of over 100,000 sq. ft. They also feature bars, high-limit lounges, non-smoking areas, large-screen TVs, etc. |
✔️ Number & Diversity of the Games | The casinos that offer the best conditions for gambling in Ontario have over 1000 slot machines and 50 table games, including different types of games. |
✔️ Promotional Campaigns | The best casinos in Ontario offer a membership card with numerous rewards, as well as casino bonuses and promotions for their restaurants, special events, etc. |
✔️ Location and Accessibility | This includes factors, such as assessment of the location of the casino, proximity to shopping centres, access to Wi-Fi, whether the resort is pet-friendly or not, etc. |
Some casinos have only places to drink and eat as their main amenities, and that’s why they are lower on the list. In comparison, some of the top Ontario casinos offer a tonne of amenities, such as a SPA, recreation and entertainment centres, shopping malls, etc. Some even have a racetrack for horse racing.
The trustworthiness of the operator is also as important. Most casinos in Ontario are managed by a few companies, such as Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, One Toronto Gaming, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, and Great Canadian Gaming. These companies feature numerous gaming properties
Final Thoughts – How to Pick the Best Casino in Ontario?
You should already know the answer to the question ‘How many casinos in Ontario?’, but we would like to point out that their number constantly changes. Every year new casinos open in Ontario, or maybe the same venues close and reopen again. Overall, there are many top options to play your favourite gambling games, and here are a few tips if you plan to visit a casino in Ontario:
- Organise your trip in advance – whether you will travel alone or with friends, family, etc., and consider when the best time is to visit a casino in Ontario;
- Make your reservation in advance if you visit a casino in Ontario with a resort area, and you plan to stay for a while;
- Check out the available promotions at your favourite casino, as you might want to play with a bonus that is valid only for a specific date, month, or occasion;
- See if the casino has a membership club and find out how to sign up before you’re you arrive at the casino;
- Prepare your identification document with a valid photo issued by the government, and please make sure you are 19 years old or older to visit a casino in Ontario;
- Know the location of the casino and enter its coordinates in the GPS of your car or organise your arrival in advance via public or shuttle transport, for example;
- Most casinos don’t have a specific dress code, but you should consider that if you plan to celebrate a special occasion at the same time, for example.
Also, according to the main licensing organisation AGCO, there are 25 gaming facilities with issued licenses in Ontario, so it is safe to say that this is their total number. Another interesting thing we observed is that most options for gambling in Ontario are concentrated within the southern part of the province, which is also the most populated area and where the biggest cities are.
How Many Casinos Are in Ontario Q&A
The answer to that question is not so easy, as new casinos in Ontario open every year, while some close permanently only to reopen after a long renovation, for example. Overall, there are 25 licensed gaming facilities by AGCO, and we reviewed and ranked 19 of them. So, if you still have doubts about how many casinos are in Ontario, please check out the following Q&A section.