5 Land-Based Casinos in Alberta You Need to Visit

Quintin van Wyk by Quintin van Wyk Published: July 30, 2021

Finding the best land-based casinos in Alberta usually isn't the first thing that comes to mind when folks travel to this vast Canadian province, which is often celebrated for its nature reserves. Certainly a trip to Alberta would not be complete without a day out at the breathtaking Lake Louise or a visit to the famous Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. However, we understand that casino buffs will also be interested in the best land-based casinos Alberta has to offer. For all the locals and travelers alike, we've compiled a list of the top 5 Alberta casinos you definitely can't miss!

5 land based casinos in alberta
  • 5

    Century Mile Racetrack and Casino

    Century Mile Racetrack and Casino

    A Fresh Look at Canadian Horseracing in AB

    Located right next to the Edmonton International Airport is the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, a new venue in the casino and horse racing track. Opened in April of 2019, this is one of four major Alberta casinos that offer live horseracing and wagering. Century Mile is aptly named for its one-mile racetrack which regularly hosts Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarterhorse races. Despite being relatively new, they've hosted a few notable races including a Grade III Canadian Derby race. When it comes to horseracing and betting, you'll get one of the best experiences at the Century Mile Racetrack in Alberta.

    Of course, the racetrack is but one of many attractions at Century Mile. The main indoor building contains two floors which total nearly 90,000 square feet. The first floor is dedicated to their top casino games, including 550 slot machines, where you can get spinning with as little as one penny. You'll also find a variety of video lottery terminals, electronic roulette, and horse racing machines. For those looking for a more social experience, check out the Replay Arena, a social gaming space with a collection of the best electronic slots and variants of baccarat, blackjack, and roulette.

    If you end up enjoying your experience at Century Mile, consider becoming a member of the Winners' Zone! Members get access to the best promotions that Century Mile has to offer, from jackpots to free food. This is something that you don't want to miss, since The Derby Restaurant on site offers a delectable selection of local and international cuisines. The Finish Line is another restaurant where patrons can relax, sip some coffee and admire views of the racetrack. While you may not be able to claim Canadian no deposit bonus offers, Members of the Winners' Zone may also be offered free drinks at the two bars at Century Mile. On race days, we highly recommend visiting the second floor bar, where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail while rooting for your favorite horse! When discussing must-visit land-based Alberta casinos, don't leave out the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino.

  • 4

    Grand Villa Casino, Edmonton

    Grand Villa Casino, Edmonton

    The Best of the Ice District

    Edmonton is home to some of the best land-based casinos and nightlife in all of Alberta, so it's no wonder that many of our top choices are here. The Grand Villa Casino in particular is one of the best locales for casual gambling in Edmonton's Ice District. The Grand Villa spans over 60,000 square feet and is stocked with over 500 slot machines and 22 video lottery tables to test your luck. You can also wander around the live tables section for games of roulette, blackjack, Pai Gow Tiles, or Texas Hold'em poker. During your visit, be sure to ask about membership to the Player's Club, which is completely free and allows you to earn points back as you play. There's also a haven for high rollers at the second floor VIP Gaming Salons.

    Top quality food offerings are a must at any successful casino, and Grand Villa has you covered here with 7 restaurants and a variety of options. If high-end and classy is what you're after, we highly recommend making a reservation at Atlas Steak + Fish. Dress code is dress-to-impress, so put on your best look! Another great option is the Match Eatery & Public House, where you can enjoy classic bar food and cocktails while watching sports on the various TVs. They also have a unique 'Thirsty Hour' and 'Hungry Hour' to satisty any and all cravings. Finally, check out Vera's Burger Shack which have been boldly dubbed 'Vancouver's Best Burger' for multiple consecutive years!

    The advantage Grand Villa has over many other brick and mortar, as well as the best online casinos in Alberta is that it's right next to the beautiful Rogers Place, which you should definitely explore while you're there. Rogers Place is the home arena for the Edmonton Oilers, and has capacity for up to 20,000 fans. Many have called it the best destination in North America for sports and entertainment, boasting advanced technologies that few other arenas can match. Outside Rogers Place is a huge 50,000 square foot ICE District public plaza which hosts regular festivals, concerts, and market events. For hotels, the JW Marriot Edmonton is one of the best luxurious accommodations in the area.

  • 3

    Century Casino & Hotel, Edmonton

    Century Casino & Hotel, Edmonton

    777 Slots and the Best Poker Room in Edmonton

    Slot machine and poker enthusiasts will want to pay close attention to this one. As another top choice in Edmonton, this is one of the best land-based Alberta casinos, one reason being its diversity of slot machines. It certainly is not a coincidence that Century Casino houses 777 slot machines, where the abundance of lucky sevens may well be the reason you hit that jackpot! Among the 777 machines are around 170 penny machines that cater to folks who enjoy the long game, and a small collection of high roller machines in the High Limit private salon. There are also 8 video lottery terminals hosting a variety of video slots games in addition to Keno for those who love chasing the numbers.

    We can't talk about Century Casino Edmonton without bringing up its 24 hour Poker room, which you don't find too often at Alberta casinos. For many locals and visitors, this is one of the top choices for around the clock poker. Though their poker room only offers 10 poker tables, lively games, tournaments, and jackpots keep the action going. Texas Hold'Em Tournaments are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, as well as on Sundays at 1pm. In addition, four running bad beat jackpots will continue to accumulate until a maximum of 20,000 CAD, so you have that bit of extra insurance. While you may not find the best and biggest names gambling here, this is a nice little oasis for a night of fun poker.

    As we've seen with the other top Alberta casinos in Edmonton, there are usually some surrounding hotspots that are also tourist attractions themselves. Century Casino Edmonton is located right next to the Century Showroom, a small but cozy venue which allows you to see the performers and musicians up close. In addition, Yuk Yuk's is a standup comedy club that draws some of the best comedians in the country. For food and beverage, Century Casino specializes mostly in providing finger foods and cocktails. The Double Down Bar & Deli features a noodle bar with Asian fusion flavors, while Mingles serves up small plates and cocktails that you can enjoy while people watching at the casino.

  • 2

    Starlight Casino, Edmonton

    Starlight Casino, Edmonton

    One of the Most Iconic Alberta Casinos

    The iconic land-based Starlight Casino Edmonton is one of the largest casinos in Alberta. In the 120,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment space, you'll find over 750 slot machines, 32 gaming tables, a poker room, multiple VIP gaming rooms, and restaurants and bars. Starlight Casino is owned by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, who also happens to own the Grand Villa Casino Edmonton earlier in our list. Gateway's two Alberta casinos promise not to disappoint--especially Starlight Casino, which is one of their best venues. From 10am to 3am, you can spin away at various slots for as little as one penny, or try your hand at one of the energetic table games.

    Starlight Casino Edmonton features some of the most interactive and unique gambling experiences across all Alberta Casinos. The Replay Arena is a new, interactive gaming space where guests pick from 25 play stations offering roulette games to play, craps, baccarat, blackjack, and sic bo. Ideal for small and large groups, players can interact with live dealers and see their games projected on top of a gigantic HD screen. On peak Friday and Saturday evenings, the casino welcomes some of the best Canadian DJs to make sure there's never a dull moment. Their special Starlight Room also offers exclusive slot machines that take single spin bets up to $5. These include some of the best slots like 88 Fortunes, Fortune Cup, Colossal Diamonds, and Jackpot Junction.

    There's an endless array of special experiences waiting for you in Starlight Casino. For starters, you'll want to check out the My Club Rewards and Winner's Edge programs for all the latest promotions. We especially like Wild Wednesdays, where Winner's Edge members get three times points back on all wagers. As for food and drink, visitors can take a stroll down memory lane at Halley's Club, with decor that will make you feel like you're back in a vintage nightclub. They self-promote themselves as having stylish and 'speakeasy cool' ambience --definitely an atmosphere you don't find often at Alberta casinos. The Nova Bar is another great hangout spot in the center of all the casino action. Finally, try out Edmonton's 'Best All Day Breakfast' at Starlight Casino, which is currently only $10 for My Club Rewards members.

  • 1

    River Cree Resort & Casino

    River Cree Resort & Casino

    First Among Aboriginal-Owned Alberta Casinos

    The River Cree Resort & Casino is one of the few Alberta casinos with an accompanying hotel resort. Not only that, but River Cree is the first aboriginal-run casino in Alberta, owned by the Enoch Cree Nation. The land-based casino resort was first opened in 2006, when Chief Ron Morin proclaimed the casino would help lift its population of nearly 3,000 out of abject poverty and provide for future generations. While River Cree isn't the largest land-based casino on our list, it does have the most slot machines, many of which offer excting free spins, and some other special features. Patrons come to River Cree both for a fun gambling night at one of the most unique Alberta casinos and to support the Enoch Cree Nation.

    The gaming floor is about 62,000 square feet large and contains about 1,350 total gaming machines, 10 video lottery terminals, and 40 table games. Between 11am to 3am, a dedicated Poker Room offers up high stakes games and the best tournaments. A special feature you won't find at other Alberta casinos is The Twin Rinks at River Cree. Spend an unforgettable afternoon out at the state-of-the-art ice sports facility where there are 2 full NHL-sized rinks and a Pro Shop for all the gear you need. The facility also hosts an adult hockey league along with ice skating and ice hockey classes, so it's totally fine if you're a beginner! Kids as little as 3 years old can sign up for their programs, so River Cree resort offers something for everyone in the family.

    In terms of food and drink, River Cree has some of the best options among Alberta Casinos. For the sports fanatic, Tap 25 Sports Bar is the obvious choice. While watching your favorite team on the big screen, enjoy their Tap Loaded Burger along with a variety of draft beers and other classic bar foods. For a more upscale dinner experience, try ITALIA with their traditional and modern starters and pastas. For authentic Cantonese cuisine, Cha Xpress offers traditional Chinese barbeque and other wok-fried dishes. Finally, after a day of gambling, ice skating, and dining, relax at the Edmonton Marriot at River Cree resort, a nine-story 255 room hotel.

Whether you enjoy horseracing or ice skating, these top 5 land-based Alberta casinos offer so much more than your usual gambling. The next time you visit this beautiful nature paradise, also have a gander at the best casinos Alberta has to offer! Despite not being known as your typical gambling capital, you'll still find tons to explore and experience. Also keep in mind that if you can't visit for any reason you can also check out slots and other exciting games at Play Alberta which is the official online casino for the province.

About the Author
 Quintin van Wyk
Quintin van Wyk - Lead Editor

Quintin is a strategic wordsmith and avid gambling enthusiast who has been editing and writing content for the iGaming industry for over 10 years. With the gaming industry constantly expanding and evolving, he is ready to guide both newcomers and experienced players with comprehensive news articles, unbiased casino reviews and informative how-to guides you can trust.

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