Casino Ajax and Racing

History of Casino Ajax in Ontario

The Ajax Downs racetrack first opened its doors in 1969. It was originally called Picov Downs. The course was named after Alex Picov, a passionate quarter horse fan, whose family settled in Ajax after coming from Ukraine. The track was built on part of the family’s farm.

The track was renamed Ajax Downs in 2006 with the creation of the new slot facility. Ajax Downs hosts races in the AQHA Bank of America Racing Challenge program. The Alex Picov Memorial — the richest quarter horse race in Canada — is run yearly at Ajax Downs. In January 2018, Great Canadian Gaming and Brookfield announced through their partnership with Ontario Gaming GTA LP that they had completed the acquisition of casino locations throughout Ontario, including the acquisition of Casino Ajax.

Casino games at Casino Ajax

Slots machines

The mix of slot games at the casino aims to appeal to as many players as possible. The selection includes games with multiple denominations, from one cent per line up to the high-limit options. Games are curated from all the big-name makers, with a large selection of Aristocrat slots available — including the popular Lightning Link and Dragon Link games.

This series includes different titles that share a “grand” jackpot and hold-and-spin bonus games. You will find Happy Lantern, Magic Pearl, Sahara Gold, and High Stakes Las Vegas at Ajax.

If you like enchanting games with a mystical theme, the Sacred Guardian series is a must-play. This series features three themes: Golden Griffon, The First Unicorn, and Spirit of the Fox. Buffalo Gold (from Aristocrat) is a popular game at any casino, as are Hao Yun Do and 5 Dragons Gold.

You can enjoy classic reel slots including IGT’s famous Wheel of Fortune games. These games have evolved — offering bonus games, special features, and progressive slots in addition to the wheel spin bonus rounds.

Electronic table games

Instead of regular green felt tables with live dealers, Casino Ajax features electronic table games. These games provide the entertainment of table gambling at much lower minimum stakes than you would find at other venues. Here is a look at the four options:

• Blackjack: Play against the virtual dealer with the aim of reaching as close to 21 as possible without going over.
• Roulette: At MiniStar roulette, you will sit around the physical wheel with all your betting done electronically. This game is fun and fast.
• Sic bo: Enjoy the classic game of Chinese origin where you are betting on the outcome of the roll of three dice.
• Baccarat: One of the most popular games at the casino, this electronic game sees you aiming to reach a total of nine with your cards.

Horse racing betting and simulcast at Casino Ajax

Quarter horse racing takes place throughout the week during the May to October racing season. Customers at the casino can wager on all the races, placing bets based on a pari-mutuel pool system. Win, place and show are the most popular options. For a shot at bigger wins, you can place multi-horse bets such as exactas and trifectas.

As well as betting on racing at the track itself, there are simulcast betting options. You can place wagers on races throughout Canada and the US — watching the races live on big screens at Ajax Downs Casino.

Winner’s Circle Rewards program

The rewards program at the casino is known as Winner’s Circle Rewards. This is shared with multiple casinos in Ontario and works on a point collection basis. To sign up for the program, head to guest services at the casino. You earn those all-important points at the following rates:

• Earn one cash-back point for every $10 you bet on a reel slot machine.
• Earn one cash-back point for every $20 you bet on video poker.
• Earn one cash-back point for every $40 you bet on select e-table games.

You can then redeem points for bonus play on the slots. Every reward point you earn also gives you a tier point — with the number of tier points determining your level within the program. After you earn 1,000 points, you join the silver tier, and 5,000 points will enter you into the gold tier. Here are some of the additional rewards that can be yours based on your level:

• Redeem reward points for dining credits (all levels).
• Qualify for member-only contests, promotions, and birthday gifts (all levels).
• Qualify for exclusive email offers (all levels).
• Earn the reward points at an increased rate (5% boost for silver members and 10% boost for gold members).
• Exclusive invites to gold events (gold level only).
• Preferred partner benefits (gold level only).

Other promotions at Casino Ajax

As a regular player at the casino, you can take advantage of the many other available promotions. A recent “Mystery Cheque” promotion saw players winning entry into ballots by playing at the casino. One night saw the distribution of $20,000 in prizes, with one lucky winner receiving a cheque for $10,000. In a similar vein, you can also win tickets to the Deal Breaker ballot, where eight players a day will win cash, with the chance to win up to $10,000.

You can also take part in slot tournaments at Casino Ajax, some of which are linked with other casinos in the Toronto region. The million-dollar classic is a fine example, a tournament that links up with Casino Woodbine, Great Blue Heron Casino, and Pickering Casino Resort.

Casino Ajax dining options

The main dining venue at the casino is the Getaway Restaurant. This open-plan venue is open 24/7 and has you covered with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.

If you have a Winner’s Circle Reward card, you will receive an immediate 15% off your bill. This makes signing up for the reward program essential, even if you are only visiting the casino as a one-off.

Recommended dishes on the menu include reasonably priced breakfasts, the seafood fettuccine, and the chicken sandwich. For those with a sweet tooth, the bread pudding has received rave reviews.

How does Casino Ajax compare?

Casino Ajax offers the ideal location to enjoy the combination of both horse race betting and casino games in Ontario. Some of the best quarter horse racing in Canada takes place at the track, with the chance to place a full range of wagers on each of the races, as well as races from other tracks. Slot machine fans will be impressed by the wide range of games and the chance to win some of those large progressive linked jackpots. Penny slot players will find plenty of games to keep them entertained.

Table games at the casino are in electronic format, giving these games a futuristic feel. The electronic roulette still features a physical wheel to give you the same level of excitement as at a live game. At the end of a day of gambling, head to the Getaway Restaurant to have your fill from a menu with a wide selection.