Casino Reviews

We wrote a post about the Rideau Carleton Racetrack Casino in Ottawa, located on Albion road. This is a combination race track, casino and sometimes exhibition and show venue.  The original post can be found by Clicking Here. We thought we would provide an update to this original post that we made about this particular casino since there have been some changes we wanted to make people aware of.

The Rideau Carleton Raceway casino is still the same configuration, restaurant and bar area, however they have added three electronic tables for patrons to use. There is a blackjack electronic table, a Baccarat, Roulette and Sic-Bo! The black jack table has the usual video dealer that is a very shapely dealer for you to be amused by while you are gambling and possibly be distracted by.

Multiline Slots

They have moved many of the slot machines around to accommodate these tables and in the process have installed many new slot machines of various themes and denominations. There are many more 1cent and 2 cent machines with multiple lines were you bet a maximum of $2 and $4 on a penny machine. These have become very popular all over North America and the Rideau Carleton Raceway casino is following suit with these machines. Many of the popular traditional machines have had to make way for all of these new slots.

Very Busy

If anything this casino is becoming more and more popular. No matter what time you go there, there are always people there and it seems that even at 1 am in the morning it is crowded with people. If you want your favorite machine, you are going to have to wait until it is vacated before you can use it or you arrive at 9 am in the morning. Even then sometimes you have to wait until someone is finished.

Comp’s

Comp’s are still bad compared to other casinos, so no change there. Payouts are ridiculous. If you win more than $200 on one press of the button, someone has to come and pay you instead of just printing a ticket. Not sure of the reason, but the slot attendants still have their hands out looking for tips. Service is slow so most don’t bother tipping any more. Why tip for bad service.

Slot Attendant Service

In fact we recently won a nice little jackpot which we wanted to have a check instead of cash. Once I was able to get the attention of the attendants, it only took about 10 minutes to have a check printed. However I had to wait at least 30 minutes before I could even get someone to come and process the win. I think they know that a check will be required and there will be no tip, so why stop and process the jackpot. Pretty bad service in my opinion.

Anyway it is still a great place to spend an evening, provided that you limit your losses and control your gambling. Have a drink , maybe something to eat and play a little bit for an enjoyable evening!

Many governments all over the United States and Canada have started up casinos as a means to raise much needed tax revenue and to provide jobs in areas that could use a boost.  In Ontario , Canada all of the casinos are run by the OLG, which is an arm of the provincial government.

We have traveled a great deal across the US and also across Canada annd without a doubt we find that the casinos in Ontario provide the worst service, the worst food and although we do not have a scientific study to back us up, we also feel the they have the worst odd’s. The OLG casinos are busy with lots of people going to visit them on the weekends and even through the night when they stay open 24 hours. The reason they are so busy is that they they really have no competition. People all over love to gamble, and if you are the only game in town, well that is were they will go.

Why do I feel that Ontario casinos are the worst in the industry? There are many reasons:

• Variety of Machines – Generally small casinos, no room for more
• Cost of Drinks – full price drinks compared to inexpensive or even free
• Pay Out from the Machines – walking around the casino you quickly see there are not many winners
• Quality of food in the Casino – sandwiches wrapped in saran wrap, limited variety, not even a deli
• Quality of food in the Restaurants – very large quantities of poor quality food seems to satisfy many people
• Intimidation at the entrance – have to pass by uniformed guards at the entrance. All casinos have guards, but most are dressed in civilian clothes. They do not make you feel welcome.
• Location – never in a central area, you generally have to take a long drive to get to the casino
• Employee Attitude – They do not know the meaning of customer service and have their hands out for a tip when you win a jackpot!
• Places to Sit – there is no were to sit and relax away from the tables or slots, not customer friendly
• Entertainment – limited to touring old timer bands that sign off key and play too loudly to mask their mistakes.
• Comp’s – it is almost a joke when we talk comp’s. A few dollars is not going to entice us to keep coming back.

Admittedly I am comparing the casinos in Ontario with those in Vegas, however even if you go over to the province of Quebec, you quickly see that the Quebec casinos are high class entertainment venues compared to any thing the Ontario government can offer.

We just do not have anything good to say about these casinos. The first marketing mistake they made was to locate the casino with racetracks around the province. The tracks were loosing money and going out of business. Adding a casino made them profitable again although racetracks are no were close to tourist areas or to downtown.

I would rather go to Akwesasne Mohawk Casino than go to the race track in Ottawa, even though it is an hours drive, you have to cross the border and pay tolls.

A beer costs $1 dollar, an excellent buffet is only $10, it is a much larger casino with a comparably larger number of slot machines as well as table games as well. They also offer better comp’s to entice you to come to their casino and the staff are very friendly and treat patrons as customers! What a concept!

If you do not believe, try going to a few of the casinos outside the province and you will quickly see how great they are compared to the OLG casinos.

Well I have done enough griping for now. We would love to hear your comments and also whether you agree with us or not. Maybe the OLG will take note.

Note: We have not visited the Casino Niagara in some time. Your comments are welcome to help us update this review of Casino Niagara. We will also add a picture as well .

Casino Niagara

Since being introduced to the city of Niagara Falls, the Niagara region, and the tourism community on December 9, 1996, Casino Niagara has consistently delivered in full on its corporate and community mandates.

Casino Niagara strives to provide with more down-to-earth, round-the-clock fun than you can imagine! They have over 1,700 slot and video poker machines, 60 tables of gaming excitement, three restaurants and three bars.

Casino Niagara is a sister casino to the Fallsview Casino.

Slot Machines

Casino Niagara features over 1,700 slot and video poker machines on two action-packed levels. Denominations range from pennies to $100! And with more than 350 progressives, Casino Niagara players have a wide selection to choose from. This includes  Megabucks® progressive machines – the jackpot starts at $1,000,000!

Table Games

There are 40 tables of fast, friendly excitement. Casino Niagara has a  wide selection of easy-to-learn games which let everyone get in on the non-stop action and fun. Choose from blackjack, craps Caribbean stud poker, roulette, poker , Spanish 21 and of course play in the poker room to participate in various tournaments.

Restaurants

Casino Niagara features a wide assortment of dining venues to satisfy every taste and budget. These include the Market Buffet, Lucky’s, Quench Bar,and the 24 hour Perks Cafe.

What We Liked ( Note we have not visited this Casino)

Your comments are welcome.

What We Did Not Like ( Note we have not visited this Casino)

Your comments are welcome.

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Casino Niagara slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at the Fallsview Casino resort as well as at Casino Niagara.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Beau Rivage hotel & casino in a large  surface parking lot .

Directions:

Casino Niagara is located at 5705 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

From the Peace Bridge

Follow the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to Niagara Falls, Canada. Take the HWY-420 exit- EXIT 30- toward NIAGARA FALLS/BRIDGE TO U.S.A. past Stanley Ave to Victoria Ave. Turn right on Victoria and left at the next lights @ Bender Hill. The entrance to Casino Niagara is located on the right.

From Rainbow Bridge

Turn right onto Falls Avenue, Left at next street @ Hiram St., Left on Ontario, Straight through lights to Casino Niagara

From the Queenston/LewistonBridge

Follow Hwy 405 to Niagara Falls, Canada. Follow the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to Niagara Falls , Canada . Take the HWY-420 exit- EXIT 30- toward NIAGARA FALLS/BRIDGE TO U.S.A. past Stanley Ave to Victoria Ave. Turn right on Victoria and left at the next lights – Bender Hill. The entrance to Casino Niagara is located on the right.

From Toronto

Follow the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to Niagara Falls , Canada . Take the HWY-420 exit- EXIT 30- toward NIAGARA FALLS/BRIDGE TO U.S.A. past Stanley Ave, to Victoria Ave. Turn right on Victoria and left at the next lights @ Bender Hill. The entrance to Casino Niagara is located on the right.

The FallsView casino located in Niagara Falls , Ontario Canada is right in the middle of the historic area of Niagara Falls, within walking distance to the falls itself and all of the surrounding historical areas, shops and restaurants.

The FallsView  casino is on par with many of the Las Vegas hotels and Casinos. From a grand entrance to the hotel with shops and restaurants to the casino itself , this is one of the few first class hotels and casino in Canada. Well worth the money to visit this casino and hotel.  American visitors may find some things a bit pricey compared to American casinos. Rooms are expensive, especially if you are looking for something with a view of the falls. Drinks in the casino are pricey as well compared to US standards.

There are actually two casinos in the area. The Fallsview Casino is the most recent addition to Niagara Falls, while the older one located within Niagara Falls and also located within the city near the falls as well is still operational. We have not visited this casino in some time. Next time we go to Niagara falls we will visit it and prepare a review.

There are two areas that we do not like about the FallsView Casino. Compared to many US casinos , drinks at the casino are very expensive. They are in the $8 to $9 range for the least expensive drinks, compared to $4 and $5 when you do have to pay for then in the United States. Most casinos offer mixed drinks for free as long as you are playing at the tables or the slots. Not in Canada.

The other item we do not like about Canadian Casinos and FallsView Casino is no different, is the guards at the entrance to the casino. We agree that minors need to be restricted from entering the casino, however like the US you can do it in a much less imposing manner. We are customers and should be treated as good customers.

Other than that we have heard very good reports about the hotel. Spectacular views of the falls , both the Canadian and the American sides. Friends have stayed at this hotel and rate it very highly. We have yet to stay at this hotel. We would be glad to hear about your stay. Feel free to leave comments about the FallsView Casino , positive or negative.

Slot Machines

There are over 3000 slots and video poker machines in denominations ranging from one cent to $5.  All of your favorite games are spread throughout the spacious and luxurious casino.

Table Games

There are all of the standard table games to play while you are at the Niagara FallsView casino including Baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette and poker. The casino also runs poker tournaments from time to time as well.

Restaurants

There are several restaurants at the hotel including fine dining, casual and other on-site dining. Enjoy fine dining at 17 Noir and Ponte Vecchio.  For casual dining you can also enjoy the Grand Buffet, Falls Deli, Golden Lotus, Sushi & Oyster Bar, and the Noodle Bar. If you are looking for a quick bite somewhere there are many fast food outlets available. These include – Auntie Annies, Canyon Creek, Falls & Firken, The Famous, Johnny Rockets, Mama Mia’s, Quizno’s, Joes, Starbucks, Subway, Sweet Point, and Tim Hortons.

With so many restaurants in the hotel , you will not go hungry. Of course if you are looking for something different, there are numerous restaurants to choose from in downtown Las Vegas.

What We Liked

Variety of slot machines

Free entertainment at the bar located in the casino

Buffet

Hotel rates are competitively expensive

Covered garage parking, which is free if you play at the casino and have a slot card

Easy access from all highways

Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

Great stopover point on your way to the United States or spending a weekend

What We Did Not Like

There are some complaints about the FallsView hotel & casino

Expensive drinks while gambling

Hotel is expensive compared to other hotels in the area

Guards at the entrance to the casino are imposing unnecessarily. American casinos do a much better job of restricting minors and undesirables from the casinos in a less imposing manner.

It is a 4 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Fallsview  slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at the FallsView casino. Although not as lucrative as many American slot cards, patrons can still be comp’d for free rooms and meals depending on the amount of play.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the FallsView hotel & casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel. There is no surface parking that we observed, although if you can find it, you can park along the street. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather. Patrons of the garage who are visiting the casino and intend on playing the slots should always have a FallsView casino slot card. If you park and play , show your card at the exit to the garage and you should receive your parking for free.

Directions:

The address is 6380 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 7X5, Canada and you can reach the hotel by car , by bus, by air, by limo and by junket for the high rollers.

The 1000 Islands Gananoque casino is located midway between Toronto and Montreal along the 401 near Kingston and the 1000 Island crossing to the US. This is a beautiful little casino with only about 500 slot machines and a small number of table games to enjoy. Last time we checked there were 18 tables available for players enjoyment.

Parking is surface based and free to patrons. There is ample room for campers and RV’s to park while they enjoy the 1000 Islands Gananoque casino.  Coffee and soft drinks are complimentary, coat checks are also complimentary . The 1000 Islands Gananoque casino has ATM machines on site, there is also currency exchange offered for US visitors and there is a small gift shop which also sells lottery tickets.

The town of Gananoque is quite close and there are a number of small chain motels as you enter Gananoque near the casino. They do offer special deals , however the writer has not verified these offers to confirm how good they are. We do know that they are not associated with the winner circle slot cards and as a result there are no free rooms offered.

There are also camping sites nearby and there is the famous 1000 islands tour that many people also enjoy.

Restaurants

The Gateway Restaurant is the only restaurant at the 1000 Islands Gananoque casino. There is a bar as well and both are clean and bright, with decent food on the menu. One thing we noticed is that the bar always serves ice cold beer. If you are just stopping by, use your winners circle card to be comp’d for a free meal.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines ( about 500 in total)
• Free soft  drinks and coffee  while gambling
• Nice restaurant to dine in
• Easy access from all highways – Highway 2 and also the 401
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Montreal, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa

What We Did Not Like

• There are no real complaints about the 1000 Islands Gananoque casino.
  
• It is a small casino, but very nice and clean with a great restaurant.

Slot Player Card

They are part of the OLG slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at many of the Ontario casinos by using their OLG winners circle card.  This casino does not have a hotel associated with it, however there is a restaurant and patrons can help themselves to free coffee and soft drinks. There is also a bar service.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the 1000 Islands Gananoque casino in a large parking area beside the casino. There is ample parking for cars as well as buses and RV’s. This is an easy place to stop for anyone on their way between Toronto and Montreal.

Directions: The 1000 Islands Gananoque casino is located at 380, highway 2, just outside of Gananoque, Ontario, between Kingston and Brockville. Anyone intending on going to the 1000 Islands Gananoque casino can reach it by highway 401 and taking the exit for the casino.

There are two casinos located in the Ottawa, Canada region. The one that we will review in this post is called the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino. This is the only Ottawa casino in the area. The other casino is located across the river in Quebec and is called the Lac Leamy Casino. We will review this casino in another post. As a result there is not much competition, the casinos are small and demand is large. They are run by the Ontario and Quebec governments, so there is little competition and little incentive to be competitive. The Lac Leamy casino is by far the superior casino offering more dining, gaming, entertainment and lodging value.

Patrons can enjoy themselves at the Carleton Raceway Casino, playing many of their favorite machines,  however if you have been to any of the large US casinos, this certainly does not compare. We have seen people win large jackpots at the Carleton Raceway Casino with pictures taken etc.

The entertainment is available Friday and Saturday nights and is aimed at the older crowd. Rock, country and easy listening music would best describe the music. Although there really is no dance floor, patrons have been seen dancing to a particular song they enjoyed.

There is a long list of things that we do not like about this casino run by the OLG. Carleton Raceway Casino is nothing more than a prop to keep the racetrack alive and a tax on patrons for the Ontario Government. It is not a competitive casino run by private enterprise. It is typical government with all of the bureaucracy of a government. We have seen slot machines taken out of service for maintenance or upgrading. The entire bank might be out for a week or more. In private industry, this is completed over night!

This is not one of our favorites, however many people do go to the Carleton Raceway Casino every day. It is open 24 hours a day except for Christmas.

Restaurants

There is one restaurant at the Carleton Raceway Casino. It overlooks the racetrack and there is a nice ambiance of racetrack betting and dinner at this restaurant. However in the writers opinion, it is not even close to fine dining, there are 100 items in the buffet, but it lacks presentation, quality and taste. The staff clearly do not take pride in their restaurant and it shows. I know many people, the writer included, who will not even eat there, even if they have been comp’d.

Customers may also order basic meals from the menu. This is a racetrack restaurant trying to look like something else and failing.

Sandwich’s, soup, hot dogs, chips and peanuts can be ordered at the bar inside the casino. Prices for beer and mixed drinks are regular price, the same that you would find in any restaurant or bar. The Carleton Raceway Casino does not comp any mixed drinks. soft drinks, coffee and water is free, however you should tip for this service.  Chicken wings are also known to be served at the back of the casino on Saturday nights.

They also offer group visits, however we have never utilized this service and cannot comment on it.

What We Liked

Variety of slot machines with 1250 slot machines to choose from

Free entertainment located in the casino on Friday and Saturday nights

Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

What We Did Not Like

There are no table games at the Carleton Raceway Casino

Customers must pay for all alcoholic drinks and you can take these drinks to the slot machines

Guards standing at single entrance scrutinizing everyone that enters

Larger payouts are still paid by slot runners, and they expect a tip for their efforts. We suggest you save your money.

There is no associated hotel

Located a long way from downtown Ottawa

Slots appear to be very tight

Crowded on most evenings and holidays

Slot Player Card

The Carleton Raceway Casino is  part of the OLG Winners Circle slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of limited benefits such as cash back and comp’s for food at the buffet. The OLG Winners Circle card can be used in all OLG casinos across Ontario , Canada.

Slot cards at the Carleton Raceway Casino are free and you should definitely obtain one, however they are not nearly as lucrative as other slot cards in the US.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Carleton Raceway Casino in a large outdoor parking lot. Valet service is also available should you prefer not to walk from the outdoor parking lot.

Directions:

The OLG Carleton Raceway Casino is located at 4837 Albion Road. From downtown Ottawa , take bank street south to Albion to get to the casino. Allow a minimum of 20 minutes from down town.