River Cree Resort Alberta Casino Review

River Cree Resort and Casino is a popular destination for Poker players and slot fans in Edmonton, Alberta. Located on the corner of the Enoch Cree Nation reserve, the River Cree Resort will give you a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in its accompanying hotel or at some of its popular Poker tables.

This $178-million complex first opened its doors on October 2006 as the first casino to be owned by a First Nations band in Alberta. Through the years, the resort became a popular spot for weekend getaways and classic casino entertainment. The gaming floor hosts plenty of options, including many slot machines as well as a couple dozen table games.

Available Gaming Options

If you came for gaming, River Cree Casino offers you a 62,600 square foot gaming floor that’s filled with slot machines, table games, and a racebook. Food and drink service is offered all around the main floor and the high-limit rooms and the casino also has a smoking area where you can smoke and play machines, which is something you rarely see these days.

If you like to play slots, the casino offers over 1,100 different machines. The slot games feature a variety of themes, layouts, and prizes, and they can be played in non-smoking areas as well. Most of the slot machines can be played for a few cents per round, but the casino also has a selection of penny slot games if you’re looking for cheaper entertainment.

For those who prefer table games, the casino has 40 tables to offer where a variety of games can be found. If you aren’t a proficient card player, you can hit the Roulette tables or really get in a Vegas spirit by playing Craps. But if you are, the casino has more than a few options to offer to you.

For Blackjack players, River Cree Casino offers a small number of tables with various bet limits, including games with insurance and side-bets like Perfect Pairs or Lucky Lucky. Baccarat players can also find variety at the gaming floor, including regular games and EZ Baccarat tables where you can play with no commission on the banker bets and wager on special Panda 8 and Dragon bonuses.

For Poker players, River Cree Resort offers a separate Poker pit with 12 tables, which is open from 11 AM to 3 AM daily. You can find a number of variants inside the pit, including Three and Four Card Poker as well as regular and Ultimate Texas Hold’Em. The pit is a non-smoking area and includes food and drink service at the tables as well as WiFi reception and a currency exchange.

As the casino says, River Cree is the home to the best Poker tournaments in the Edmonton area. You can play Sit & Go tournaments at the casino as well as enjoy a number of recurring events like the Monday Madness or the Sunday Freeze tournaments, and more. Other promotions like car giveaways and slot tournaments are also available for members of the Players Club.

And finally, the gaming floor is also home to The Tap 25 Bar where off-track betting on horse racing can be enjoyed via self-service terminals. The racebook at the bar lets you place a wager on a variety of top races, including the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup. Get a complimentary Horse Off-Track Bet Card and you will also get 10% off on all your meals at the bar.

If you play often at the casino, you might want to look into joining the Players Club, which is completely free. A Players Club card will grant you access to ballot entries, monthly promotions, exclusive VIP events, free hotel rooms, and many more perks given to all casino regulars.

Location and Atmosphere

The casino is located at the corner of Winterburn Road and Whitemud Drive, which is around half an hour drive from Villeneuve airport. From the resort, you get an easy access to the main roads and the West Edmonton Mall is around 10 minutes by car if you ever want to do some shopping. As it’s on the outskirts of the city, the location is perfect for sleeping and spending quiet nights working.

Like all resorts that have made a name for themselves, River Cree Casino and Resort offers great hospitality to its visitors. The staff is friendly and efficient, helping you resolve any issue you might have fast. The atmosphere around the place is relaxing, even on the casino floor, and the gaming area becomes especially inviting at night hours when more visitors join the action.

Resort Amenities

For accommodation, the resort offers a nine-story Edmonton Marriot hotel which has 249 guest rooms designed to provide you with comfort. Each room gives you access to high-speed internet, cable TV, and pay-per-view movies, and comes pre-equipped with a microwave. For a more luxurious stay, the casino has 11 luxury suites which offer even more space and double bathrooms.

If you want to relax, you can try the hotel’s fitness centre and pool area. The fitness centre is located on the 2^nd floor and features both weight-lifting and cardio equipment. After your workout, you can take a swim in the indoor pool or just relax at the hotel’s whirlpool. A 2,500-seat concert venue is also available at the resort as well as several ballrooms and two NHL-size ice rinks.

Restaurants

If you’re feeling hungry, the freshest restaurant is Damn Good Food where you can try contemporary Canadian food with an aboriginal twist by Chef Shane Chartrand. For a more casual dining experience, you can eat at the Kitchen Buffet and watch live-action cooking or grab a bite at the Tap 25 Bar while watching a game. And for all your caffeine needs, you have a Starbucks.

Conclusion

River Cree Resort and Casino is a great place to stay if you are looking to get away from the noise for a weekend but also enjoy some quality gaming action. The Poker room is the highlight of the casino, especially with all the available tournaments, but you can also find good slot machines and a variety of table games. Whether you want to play, eat, sleep, or have fun, this casino will cater to you well.