River Rock Casino Resort is the largest casino in British Columbia. The luxurious casino and hotel complex is one of the 25 properties owned and operated by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, an Ontario-based entertainment and hospitality company.
Situated on Richmond’s Sea Island, just five minutes from Vancouver International Airport, River Rock boasts an impressive gaming package that includes over 1,100 slots, 100+ table and poker games, high-limit VIP rooms, and an elite racebook lounge. It also features a 396-room hotel jam-packed with amenities such as deluxe restaurants, an indoor pool, spa tub, and a complimentary fitness centre, to name but a few.
River Rock Casino, along with nine other gambling establishments owned by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, has been closed as of March 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to our sources, a reopening is expected soon, though the exact date is yet to be determined. Our team at PlayCanada will keep you posted on all updates as they come.
River Rock Casino Resort
- Address: 8811 River Road Richmond, British Columbia
- Owner: Great Canadian Gaming Corporation
- Operator: Great Canadian Gaming Corporation
- Hours: 24 hours/7 days a week
- Casino games: 1100+ slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps
- Sportsbook: Racebook (horse racing)
- Poker: Daily and weekly tournaments, cash games (NLH, UTH, Fortune Pai Gow, Ultimate Hold’em)
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The casino at River Rock Casino Resort
River Rock Casino has 70,000 sq ft of gaming space, hosting over 1,100 slot machines and 110+ table games, along with a dedicated poker room, a 55-seat racebook, and high-limit VIP rooms. This kind of diversity should cater to the needs of Canadian gamblers of various preferences.
Players can take a seat at any of the 114 tables and enjoy casino classics like blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. Poker aficionados can compete for huge prizes in daily tournaments and cash games at the dedicated poker lounge.
If Texas Hold’em is your cup of tea, you’re surely going to have a blast at River Rock as there are plenty of Hold’em variants on offer at both the main gaming floor and the dedicated poker room.
If you’re a high roller who seeks discretion and privacy, head down to one of River Rock’s high-limit rooms. Club hosts, personalized service, and a private dining room await elite players who can enjoy high-limit slots, roulette, baccarat, and slots in an opulent ambiance.
River Rock Casino frequently rolls out promotions, giving players a chance to win amazing prizes. The promotional lineup is currently limited due to the closure and operational changes, but we’re expecting it to expand as soon as the resort reopens.
Here are some of the promotions you can take advantage of at River Rock Casino Resort:
- Gift cards: River Rock guests can purchase gift cards in person at the casino with a government-issued photo ID and use them to pay for accommodation or enjoy food & beverage outlets at any of Great Canadian’s properties.
- Exclusive rates for BC & Washington State residents: All BC and Washington State residents are eligible for a reduced hotel rates promotion starting at 15% off. Guests have to submit a BC or Washington State ID upon checking in.
- Encore Rewards Program: By playing slots and table games, you can earn points and win fantastic offers. The higher you rank on the VIP ladder, the more valuable perks you’ll receive.
- Bad beat jackpots: All players in the poker room automatically qualify for the Super Bad Beat Jackpot that often goes up to $100,000.
Slot machines
River Rock Casino Resort has one of the most extensive slot selections on the West Coast. There are slot machines of various denominations and gameplays.
Recreational players can try their luck at penny and quarter slots like Wheel of Fortune. Video poker fans are up for a special treat as there are dozens of Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild machines. And if you’re after big bucks, you should try out progressives with mind-boggling jackpots like Carnival of Cash.
Private slots have recently been added to River Rock Casino. Apart from being able to play a large selection of $1 slots in this elite lounge, guests will have VIP hosts and a private dining area at their disposal.
Slot players of the highest echelon are welcome in the Jade Room, which is a special section dedicated to River Rock’s high-limit guests. Jade Club members can spin the reels in a luxurious setting and win VIP invitations to special events, access to shows, and other perks.
Table games
River Rock Casino Resort is home to the largest progressive jackpots in the Lower Mainland. In the previous two years, players have won over $600,000 on multi-table progressives.
In terms of game variety, River Rock table game selection is second to none. There are several poker varieties, dozens of baccarat tables, as well as classics like blackjack, craps, and roulette.
Here is the full list of table casino games available at River Rock Casino:
- Blackjack (with double-deck games)
- Roulette
- Touch bet roulette
- Baccarat
- Craps
- 4-card poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Fortune Pai Gow
- Texas Hold’em Bonus
Encore Rewards Program
River Rock Casino Resort guests can participate in the exclusive Encore Rewards Program and win amazing prizes for playing real money games. The program has three tiers: Single Diamond, Double Diamond, and Triple Diamond. To move up the ranks, players need to earn a sufficient number of points throughout a 12-month qualifying period. For each dollar spent on slot machines, players earn one tier point.
To gain access to the Double Diamond level, you have to wager approximately $7,500. And to reach the highest tier, you have to accumulate 45,000 points, which is quite a task.
Some of the membership benefits the Encore Rewards Program includes are:
- Special birthday offers
- 10% discount at The Buffet at River Rock, Tramonto, Food Court, and Curve
- VIP tickets for the River Rock Show Theatre
- Automatic entry to hot seat draws
- Other perks like free slot play and hotel deals
River Rock Casino Resort racebook
Horse racing fans can place wagers in the 55-seat racebook at River Rock. The off-track betting lounge is located in the poker room, which means that guests can enjoy both poker and horse racing betting in the same place.
You can also order delicious burgers and homemade fries, as well as a variety of drinks that will be delivered directly to your seat. All the popular wager types are on offer, including Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Quinella, Pick-3, and so on.
River Rock Casino poker room
River Rock Casino also has an exquisite poker lounge, where Texas Hold’em fans can compete in numerous daily and weekly tournaments and cash games. From 11 AM to 3 AM every day, you can play NHL with buy-ins starting from $100.
As soon as you take a seat at the poker table, you’ll instantly qualify for the Super Bad Beat Jackpot and get a chance to win massive prizes. The last Bad Beat Jackpot at River Rock went all the way up to $70,000 before the lucky guest triggered it.
Noon and special Saturday tournaments have 23 levels, with blinds ranging from $25/50 to $50,000/100,000 for those who reach the final stage of the tournament.
River Rock Casino Resort amenities
The Hotel at River Rock Casino Hotel Resort
With a luxurious hotel and a lavish resort, River Rock is a sight to behold. There are 396 air-conditioned accommodation units with iPod docking stations and safes. The hotel itself is located on the 144-berth marina, offering river views and all sorts of amenities, including an indoor pool with a water slide, a spa tub, a 24-hour fitness center, and five world-class restaurants.
In addition to the casino, guests have access to the 19,000 sq ft business center and a theater with live entertainment.
Dining
There are several deluxe restaurants at River Rock Casino.
Tramonto and The Buffet
Both Tramonto and The Buffet are upscale restaurants offering gorgeous delights and dishes for the guests of River Rock Casino and Hotel Resort. Tramonto boasts mesmerizing views of the Fraser River and seats up to 18 guests, making it a go-to destination for those who prefer dining in an intimate setting. From Pacific Bouillabaisse to a Miso-Glazed Sablefish, you can enjoy outstanding cuisine at Tramonto.
Over the years, The Buffet has become a popular destination to enjoy seasonal and special surprises and mouth-watering meals. Just above the casino floor, guests of this five-star restaurant can enjoy sushi, seafood dishes, roast carvings and salads with beautiful waterfront views of the Fraser River.
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River Rock Casino Hotel Resort history
River Rock Casino Hotel was opened on June 25, 2004, on the site of the former Bridgepoint Market in Richmond. Before gaining approval from the city’s authorities, River Rock had to go through several adjustments, including a modification of its liquor and operation license to allow liquor to be consumed in the casino’s theater.
The complex underwent renovations in 2009 — the theater was upgraded with additional box suites, a seating area and a wine bar were added, the existing buffet area was completely renovated, and a curved escalator was incorporated into the main lobby area.
River Rock Casino Hotel Resort is owned and operated by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, a gaming, hospitality, and entertainment company founded in 1982. The corporation currently owns 25 gaming properties in Canada, with the majority of revenues coming from British Columbia facilities. Great Canadian Gaming is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and belongs to the S&P/TSX Composite Index.