Casino Rama Resort

Overview

Casino Rama Resort sits on Chippewas of Rama First Nation land near Orillia, on the edge of Ontario's lake district. It opened in the mid-1990s as the province's first First Nations commercial casino and has grown into a full resort: 289 rooms, a spa, an 87,000-square-foot gaming floor and a 5,000-seat entertainment centre that punches well above the local population.

The setting is the selling point. This is not a downtown property or a tourist strip — it is a resort in woodland and lake country, which changes the tone of the whole visit. Guests arrive for two- and three-night stays and split their time between the floor, the spa, the show calendar and the surrounding Muskoka and Lake Couchiching area.

It is also the most comfortable large Ontario floor for visitors who dislike crowds. Outside show nights and summer weekends, Rama is noticeably calmer than Niagara Falls while offering a comparable range of games.

The casino floor

Roughly 2,300 slot machines fill most of the floor, spanning penny denominations through to a well-appointed high-limit room. The mix leans modern — large-format cabinets, licensed themes and linked progressives — with a decent bank of classic steppers retained for regulars.

Around 60 table games cover blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and a rotating set of card games, with limits that stay approachable midweek. The poker room runs cash games and a regular tournament schedule with professional dealers, and it has a loyal regional following. Sports fixtures are shown across the lounges rather than in a dedicated sportsbook.

A high-limit gaming area and VIP host programme cover the top end, though the scale and formality here are a step below Fallsview or Windsor.

What the floor holds

Casino floor

approx. 87,000 sq ft

Slot machines

approx. 2,300

Table games

approx. 60

Poker room

Yes

Sportsbook

Limited — lounge screens

Bingo

No

Hotel rooms

289

High roller area

Yes

Figures are editorial estimates from publicly available information and change over time. Our casino games guide explains each game in detail.

Hotel & resort

The 289 rooms are split between an original wing and a newer all-suite tower. The suites are the better booking — larger, quieter and recently refreshed. Rooms are comfortable and resort-appropriate rather than luxurious, and the property is well maintained throughout.

Amenities include a full-service spa, indoor pool, fitness centre and meeting space. Because the resort sits in its own grounds, the parking is free and plentiful — a small but real advantage over the Niagara properties.

Dining

Eight or so outlets, from a steakhouse and an Asian kitchen through to a buffet, a sports bar and casual counters. Standards are good rather than remarkable; the steakhouse is reliable and the buffet is popular with regulars. Orillia's own restaurants are a ten-minute drive if you want a change of scene.

Entertainment

The 5,000-seat Entertainment Centre is the reason Rama features on national touring routes at all — major Canadian and international acts, comedians and tribute shows run through the year. A smaller lounge programmes free live music most weekends. For a property this far from a major city, the calendar is genuinely impressive.

Practical information

Address

5899 Rama Road, Rama, ON L3V 6H6

Gaming age

19+ (Ontario)

Casino hours

Open daily; extended weekend hours

Dress code

Casual to smart casual

Parking

Free on-site self-parking; valet available

Getting there

Approx. 90 minutes from Toronto via Highway 400 and 11; scheduled coach service from the GTA

Regulator

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

Hours, dress standards and parking arrangements change seasonally. Confirm with the property before travelling.

Pros and cons

Verdict