Playing at a casino offers sophisticated fun and excitement, and there's nothing better than checking out a new venue. Whether you're a permanent resident of Ottawa or you're just visiting the region, you'll find a fantastic choice of casinos to try.
Ottawa made some changes to gambling legislation in 2022 which made it easier for casino players to enjoy their favourite games. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) are the licensing body that oversees the casinos, and ensures that standards are kept high.
We've taken a look at the top land casinos in Ottawa, as well as the areas nearby.
Opening hours: 24/7, 365 days per year
Address: 1 Blvd. du Casino, Gatineau, Québec J8Y 6W3
Phone number: 819-772--2100
Email: commentairescll@casino.qc.ca
Available games: Slot machines, table games, and electronic horse racing
Just a few minutes drive from downtown Ottawa but technically outside the city, Casino du Lac Leamy is one of the most popular local casino venues. Often referred to simply as Casino Lac Leamy, this upmarket casino sits on the site of an old quarry and enjoys view across the shores of the stunning Lake Leamy.
A government-owned establishment, Casino du Lac Leamy opened in 1996 and was the first casino in the region. Its success has been phenomenal with the casino attraction more than two million visitors every year. It has a large range of slots, with live table games and electronic table games, including horse racing, spread over a sprawling 300,000 square foot space.
However, the reason that Casino Lac Leamy is so popular is because it offers more than just casino games. The lake has an enormous jet fountain that can be seen from a long distance away, plus every August there is the Casino Sound of Light where fireworks teams compete to put on the best display. This means it's not just roulette, blackjack and slots that attracts the visitors, it's the all-round entertainment too.
Opening hours: 24/7, 365 days per year
Address: 4837 Albion Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Telephone number: 613-822-8668
Email: Email Rideau Carleton Casino via their website
Available Games: Slot machines, tables games, and horse racing/harness racing
The best online casinos offer a combination of sports betting and casino play, and that's what you'll find here at the Rideau Carleton Casino. One of the few casinos to be located in the heart of Ottawa rather than the general Ontario region, Rideau Carleton benefits from horse racing facilities on site. This means that they are able to offer live harness racing, with the live races taking place on Thursdays and Sunday evening.
You can expect the casino to be very busy during the live racing, but there's more than just horse tracks. Many Canadian players come to enjoy the vast array of slots and live table games such as craps, baccarat, roulette, blackjack, and more. There are more than 1200 slots and electronic table games, plus they also have VIP areas where you can gamble for higher stakes.
Opening hours: Monday - Tuesday 9am - 11pm, Wednesday - Thursday 9am - 1am, Friday - Saturday 8am - 1am, Sunday 8am - 11pm
Address: 9 Slack Road, Ottawa, ON K2G 0B7
Telephone number: (613) 226-1741
Email: info@bingolandgaming.com
Available Games: Bingo, electronic games
As the name suggests, Bingoland Gaming Centre is a venue that's all about playing bingo. Although it's classed as a casino gaming space, you won't find the full complement of slots and table games available here. Instead, players have fun by competing to win money from a selection of bingo games that start on Monday morning and run regularly throughout the week right through to Sunday night.
In addition to the bingo tables, there are also many Vegas-style electronic cabinets, including TapTix machines. These are very similar to slot machines and look almost identical, paying out real cash prizes if you get a winning result. To play, you simply press a button on the machine and it delivers a predetermined result. These are a great way for beginners to start as it doesn't matter if you don't know anything about betting, you still have a chance to win!
Although Bingoland Gaming Centre is smaller than many of the other local Ottawa casinos, it offers some great entertainment including themed bingo nights, and live DJs providing music and fun. Their website and social media pages advertise the latest events, with advance tickets going on sale. These themed betting nights prove extremely popular, so you'll need to book your spot rather than just turning up on the night.
Opening hours: 24/7
Address: 359 Alexandre Taché Blvd, Gatineau (Hull Sector) Québec, Canada J9A 1M3
Telephone number: (819) 770-3838
Email: motelp@videotron.ca
Available games: Video lottery machines
Strictly speaking, Motel du Parc isn't a full-blown casino, but it's possible to enjoy some gambling at this site. Motel du Parc is situated in Gatineau which is just outside Ottawa, so it's the ideal spot to stay if you're visiting the city for the big casinos. You can practice your gambling with some fun at the 10 video lottery terminals located in the lounge bar.
Alongside the slots machines, there is a pool table and computers with an internet connection, making it the ideal preparation before you head over to Ottawa for even more gambling fun.
Opening hours for the casino: Monday - Thursday 9am - 1am, Friday 9am - 3am, Saturday 8am - 3am, Sunday 8am - 1am
Opening hours for table games: Monday - Thursday 12pm - 12am, Friday - Saturday 9am - 3am, Sunday 9am - 1am
Address: 873 NY-37, Hogansburg, NY 13655, United States
Telephone number: 518-358-2222
Email: amcr@mohawkcasino.com
Available Games: Slots, table games, sports betting
Hogansburg Akwesasne Mohawk Casino isn't in the immediate Ottawa area but it's not far for Ottawa residents to travel. Located just over the border in New York, it's only 60 miles away making it possible for anyone who wants to plan a day trip. The casino is operated by Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, and it's named after the river that it's situated on.
Although Hogansburg is slightly further than some of the other casinos, its standout facilities make it well worth considering. The casino has over 130,000 square feet that is filled with slot machines and table games, providing an enormous selection for players. There are more than 1150 slot machines, including new releases and progressive jackpots. Electronic games include blackjack, roulette, and craps, while there's a full selection of all of the traditional casino table games, plus poker and bingo.
There's also a full complement of sports betting available at the Sticks Sports Book & Grill at Hogansburg Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, where it's possible to grab some food and watch the game live. This isn't available in either of the casinos in Ottawa, and is one of the reasons to make the trip over the border.
Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday closed, Thursday - Sunday 2pm - midnight
Address: 300 chemin des Pléiades Mont-Tremblant, Québec, J8E 0A7
Telephone number: 819-429-4150
Email: cmtservc@casino.qc.ca
Available Games: Slots, table games, poker, electronic table games
Mont Tremblant is almost equidistant between Montreal and Ottawa, giving options for visitors to both cities to play at a fabulous casino in a stunning mountain location. Mont Tremblant Casino is upmarket and sophisticated, making it perfect for an elegant night on the tiles. Mont Tremblant Casino opened in 2009 and spread over three floors, provides a relaxed gaming space for players to enjoy.
It's not the largest casino but there are still hundreds of games to choose from which is why so many players make the trip to Mont Tremblant, just to visit this venue. There are in excess of 500+ video slots, plus 16 table games, and electronic table games. There is also a poker room, plus traditional casino games such as keno.
Onsite entertainment is superb at Mont Tremblant Casino, with two private lounges, two bars, and the Altitude Restaurant. Enjoy a high-class meal before going on to have some fun at the tables, all set within a beautiful mountain location.
Ottawa casinos are leading the way in Canada, with Ontario laws allowing players to enjoy a broad selection of gambling. Online casinos are also legal in this part of Canada, so players can take their pick between visiting the gaming tables at a land casino in Ontario, or picking a casino online.
As Canada's capital, Ottawa has been been proactive in creating a positive environment for gambling, providing protection against gambling addiction with the establishment of a robust regulator that serves the whole of Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
There are a variety of gambling rules that you'll need to abide by to enjoy legal gambling. This includes being of legal gambling age, and showing ID when requested by a land casino or an online casino. These rules apply to all types of gambling including electronic table games, live dealers, poker, bingo, slots, and sports betting.
Author
I am a full-time Casino and Sportsbook Writer from UK, who has years of industry knowledge, covering a broad range of different sports and casino games. If I don't know about it, it's not worth knowing! My favourite sports are tennis, football, golf, cricket, snooker, boxing and MMA. As you can tell...I am big sports guy!
