Online gambling laws in Canada are confusing to say the least. Although the regulations aren’t anywhere near as proscriptive as they once were, the legislative changes of the 1970s have led to an inconsistent legislative landscape in regards to web-based play. Happily though, things are clearer in respect of land-based gambling with each province responsible for the licensing and regulation of its own venues. As a result, there’s now an expansive range of bricks-and-mortar casinos and betting establishments throughout the country. And Ottawa is no exception. Here’s a guide to two top gambling venues in our beloved city as well as one in the wider province of Ontario.
This famed establishment was the very first casino to serve Ottawa and is located in neighbouring Quebec. Owned and operated by Société des casinos du Québec, it first opened way back in 1996 and is home to well over 1500 slot machines as well as 60 gambling tables for roulette, craps, blackjack and poker. Like most modern casinos, the Casino Lac-Leamy doubles up as an all-purpose entertainment venue and houses an on-site hotel with 450 rooms, an assortment of bars and eateries, not to mention a 1000-seater theatre. The complex also includes a ‘Fun Zone’ which allows visitors to learn how to play blackjack and other classic casino games by way of 50 interactive terminals.
The Rideau Carleton Casino is the other major gambling complex in Ottawa. Like its slightly more illustrious competitor, this mammoth establishment is the go-to casino for slot players, with more than 1000 to choose from. In addition to standard units, the Rideau Carleton Casino features linked progressive slot machines. Those who prefer traditional casino play are also well catered for. At the time of writing, the casino hosts 30 table games such as poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat. Complementing these gambling games is the Pulse Arena which is a kind of nightclub/casino zone featuring live music and interactive gambling activities. In keeping with its origins as a racetrack venue, the Rideau still hosts standard-bread harness horse racing throughout the year.
Ok, so this particular casino is about a five hour drive away. But if gambling is your thing, then the long trip could be worth your while. This 95,000 square foot venue is laid out over two floors and features over 1000 slot and video poker machines. In addition, you’ve got 40 tables set aside for blackjack, multiple poker game variants, baccarat and roulette. Serious poker players will also appreciate the new dedicated 24 hour poker room which boasts 26 tables. As with the best land-based venues, Casino Niagara does a pretty good job of offering a well-rounded entertainment package by including a sports bar, a buffet as well as a restaurant.
Although there are numerous other highly-rated casino and gambling establishments situated throughout the province, we reckon that these three venues are among the best, not only in Ontario but all of Canada. There is of course also the option to play at one of the more reputable online casinos in Canada, who also have live dealer games like roulette, craps and blackjack to give you that land-based experience.
