Are you flying into a major Canadian city and looking for the closest casino? PlayCanada looks at the casinos closest to the country’s 10 busiest airports.
Using the number of yearly passengers to determine Canada’s busiest airports, we then identified the gaming facility in closest proximity.
Accompanying the selection is a list of travel methods and times, as well as a brief rundown of what to expect at each Canadian gambling site.
1. Toronto Pearson International Airport
Closest casino – Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto
Distance from airport: 7 kms
How to get there
- Car: 10 min
- Transit: 50 min by bus (incl. 10 min of walking)
- Shuttle: N/A
Casino address for GPS: 1133 Queens Plate Dr.; Toronto, ON, M9W 0G4
A 50-minute commute via public transit doesn’t exactly reflect how close the largest casino in Canada is to the country’s busiest airport. In fact, the casino is just 7 kms from the airport. It’s so close, incoming planes glide over the Rogers Centre-sized facility on a routine basis.
But, please, don’t see that as a deterrent. Think of it as a measure of how close the casino is to Canada’s busiest airport.
Once inside the casino, players are privy to an all-in-one entertainment, dining, and hospitality experience, highlighted by:
- 4,800 slot machines
- 145 table games
- a 400-room hotel
- a 5,000-person entertainment centre
- 11 restaurants
- retail
Great Canadian Casino Resort represents the first of two Ontario casinos to be featured in this list.
2. Vancouver International Airport
Closest casino – River Rock Casino Resort
Distance from airport: 5 kms
How to get there
- Car: 10 min
- Transit: 15 min by train (Canada Line Skytrain)
- Shuttle: N/A
Casino address for GPS: 8811 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 3P8
Similar to Great Canadian Toronto, River Rock Casino Resort is also the biggest casino in its home province. The facility is driven by an impressive gaming selection, which features over 1,100 slots, 100-plus table and poker games, and high-limit VIP rooms.
What’s more, fans of horse racing can enjoy River Rock’s racebook lounge, operating from 9 a.m. to the day’s last race.
Unfortunately, there is no official shuttle from Vancouver International Airport to River Rock Casino Resort, but the Canada Line Skytrain does a mighty fine job functioning as the unofficial vessel from point A to point B.
3. Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Closest casino: Casino de Montréal
Distance from airport: 25 kms
How to get there
- Car: 30 min
- Transit: 70 min by bus and train (incl. 10 min of walking)
- Shuttle: Yes, but service is currently suspended
Casino address for GPS: 1 Ave du Casino, Montreal, QC H3C 4W7
Compared to the previous establishments, the second-largest casino in Canada isn’t as accessible by public transit. However, the trip will become smoother once the shuttle service resumes.
That said, regardless of the method, car, taxi, or bus, the straightest shot to Casino de Montréal will take you across the St. Lawrence River via the Concorde Bridge. For those driving their own vehicle, the site offers free, but limited indoor and outdoor parking.
The facility itself offers a wealth of wagering opportunities across 48,000 square metres of gambling space. Here, players will find 3,000 slots, 115 tables, and electronic poker in addition to “The Zone” electronic table gaming with special effects.
4. Calgary International Airport
Closest casino: ACE Casino Airport
Distance from airport: 5 kms
How to get there
- Car: 10 min
- Transit: N/A
- Shuttle: Yes, to Hotel Clique (1 min walk from ACE Casino building)
Casino address for GPS: 40 Aero Cres NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6W5
It may not go directly to ACE Casino Airport but the shuttle to Hotel Clique will put you within one minute of Calgary’s newest retail gaming location. This is the mode of transportation we’d recommend, particularly because there isn’t a clear walking path from the airport.
Moving inside the facility, there is plenty to be excited about. Known for its “ACE Sports Bar” titled by a 40-foot TV wall, the gaming hub also boasts a solid catalogue that includes:
- 638 slots
- 26 gaming tables
- a 12-table poker room
- 2 private VIP table game salons
- arena-style Interblock electronic gaming
The facility will celebrate its first anniversary of operations on Nov. 25, 2023.
5. Edmonton International Airport
Closest casino: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
Distance from airport: 2 kms
How to get there
- Car: 5 min
- Transit: 20 min by bus (mostly walking, approx. 15 min)
- Shuttle: N/A
Casino address for GPS: 4711 Airport Perimeter Rd, Edmonton International Airport, AB T9E 0V6
Despite being so close to each other, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino isn’t overly accessible from Edmonton International Airport outside of car travel. With this in mind, a ride-sharing service is probably your best bet to arrive at the casino without an unnecessary headache.
Even so, the dual racetrack and casino offers a unique selection of live betting opportunities within its 90,000-square-foot wagering space. Racing enthusiasts can wager on thoroughbred, standardbred, and quarter-horse races year-round, while those better suited to classic casino games can enjoy slots, VLTs, and electronic table games.
Located in the southern part of Edmonton, there’s something for everybody at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino.
6. Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Closest casino: Casino Nova Scotia Halifax
Distance from airport: 35 kms
How to get there
- Car: 30 min
- Transit: 70 min by bus (incl. 15 min of walking)
- Shuttle: N/A
Address for GPS: 1983 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3Y5
The biggest casino in the Atlantic provinces is a bit of a hike from Halifax International Airport. But after a few moments inside the casino, the journey will soon prove worthwhile.
Equipped with 650-plus slot machines, 32 casino tables, as well as a dedicated high-limit spending area, Casino Nova Scotia Halifax remains a high-priority destination in the city’s downtown area.
Casino grounds also feature an array of dining options, including both buffet and à la carte eateries. While there is no official on-site hotel, there is a Marriott next door accessible through a covered, connecting walkway.
7. Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Closest casino: McPhillips Station Casino
Distance from airport: 8 kms
How to get there
- Car: 15 min
- Transit: 35 min by bus (incl. 5 min of walking)
- Shuttle: No, but bus tour is available
Casino address for GPS: 484 McPhillips St, Winnipeg, MB R2X 2H2
Before we get into it, let’s establish the difference between the transit bus and the tour bus. In short, the transit bus is not affiliated with McPhillips Station Casino and requires two transfers, while the tour bus is affiliated with the casino and offers a direct route to the facility.
However, the tour bus is part of a separate tourism package.
Now that all that is straightened out, what might McPhillips have to offer? More than 800 slots, 44 tables, a poker room, and bingo. The facility, which underwent a facelift in 2015, also contains multiple dining options, a live show event centre, and lounge area.
Whether taking off in the morning or coming in off a red eye, the facility can accommodate everyone as it’s open 24/7.
8. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Closest casino: Rideau Carleton Casino
Distance from airport: 8 kms
How to get there
- Car: 10 min
- Transit: 70 min by bus (incl. 35 min of walking)
- Shuttle: N/A
Casino address for GPS: 4837 Albion Rd S, Gloucester, ON K1X 1A3
Not only do we not recommend transit or walking because it’s incredibly cumbersome, but also because it’s not safe. Unfortunately, there is no shuttle service to bridge the gap between car travel and transit. Therefore, we suggest using a ride-sharing service if renting a car at the airport is not in your plans.
Part of the iconic Hard Rock family of gaming and entertainment centres, Rideau Carleton Casino is the only casino in Ottawa. The facility located in Canada’s capital city is particularly heavy on slots and electronic table games, namely traditional finds like Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Baccarat.
Altogether, there are over 1,200 gaming options available between the slots and table games families.
9. Victoria International Airport
Closest casino: Elements Casino Victoria
Distance from airport: 28 kms
How to get there
- Car: 30 min
- Transit: 70 min by bus (incl. 25 min of walking)
- Shuttle: N/A
Casino address for GPS: 1708 Island Hwy, Victoria, BC V9B 1H8
The case of Victoria International Airport and Elements Casino Victoria is a peculiar one given that they’re located on opposite ends of the island. The half-hour commute via car isn’t exactly ideal but it’s palatable, especially compared to the labour-intensive transit option.
That said, unless you’re up for a swim across the Strait of Georgia to get to River Rock in Richmond, Elements is the best option. Inside, there are more than 770 slot and electronic table games, including familiar titles such as Lightning Link, 88 Fortunes, and Wicked Winnings.
High-rollers can try their hand in the separate high-limit gaming room, which boasts casino classics like Blackjack, No-Limit Hold’em, and Pai Gow.
10. Regina International Airport
Closest casino: Casino Regina
Distance from airport: 4 kms
How to get there
- Car: 10 min
- Transit: 30 min by bus (incl. 5 min of walking)
- Shuttle: N/A
Casino address for GPS: 1880 Saskatchewan Dr, Regina, SK S4P 0B2
Next to River Rock Casino Resort, Casino Regina is by far the easiest gaming centre to reach using public transportation. Between a simple walk from the airport to the bus stop, a relatively brief stay on the 24 bus, and a walk from the final stop that takes less than five minutes, you can get to Casino Regina in about 30 minutes for a much smaller fee than taking a ride-share service.
The facility under the purview of the Saskatchewan Gaming Authority boasts 100,000 square feet of gaming space with roughly 1,000 slots. Players also have access to nearly 30 table games, along with a poker room that offers a full range of cash games and tournaments.
Since 1995, Casino Regina has undergone a series of extensive upgrades. The most recent renovation project, which began in 2020 and cost $18 million, was completed this past summer.
