The 7 Best Casinos in Vancouver BC Ranked for Gambling + Entertainment

You may not have guessed it from the postcard-perfect views, but there are eight casinos in Vancouver.

This makes Vancouver the premier destination for gambling vacations for visitors from Vancouver Island, BC’s interior, and even Washington State.

If you’re going out, you’re already rolling the dice on Vancouver’s weather, so why not roll the dice at a Vancouver Casino?

Let’s break down all the options.

The Best Casinos in Vancouver

Are you looking for a Vegas-style casino resort? Or maybe you’d prefer a more laidback gambling experience. Either way, the Vancouver-area has you covered.

The Vancouver casinos on our list are perfect whether you’re downtown with the beautiful people enjoying the nightlife, staying at a Vancouver Casino hotel, or sticking close to home in the suburbs.

Inside, foodies will enjoy a selection of Vancouver’s best restaurants, fantastic bars, and some of the city’s best spas. So in many cases, non-gamblers may even find themselves at home.

Let’s take a deeper look at Vancouver’s best casinos.

The Top Vancouver Casino Resorts

PARQ Vancouver – Best Vancouver Casino for a Fancy Night Out

☆☆☆☆☆ | Area: Downtown | 39 Smithe St. | Skytrain: Yaletown or Stadium-Chinatown

Billing itself as Vancouver’s premier entertainment destination, this new Vegas-style Vancouver casino is located in the Stadium District, right beside BC Place and Rogers Arena.

Downtown Vancouver’s only casino contains 72,000 square ft. of gaming space divided into two floors.

The state-of-the-art gaming options at Parq Casino include:

• More than 600 slot machines
• 75 table games (blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, pai gow, poker variants and more)
• 6-table poker room
• High-limit slot lounge and private VIP salon

This is the spot for visiting tourists, Vancouver Cruise Terminal guests, and business travellers – many of Vancouver’s best restaurants and top tourist attractions can be found a short walk away.

There are even eight top-class bars and dining options to round it out. Expect a younger crowd as a result.

River Rock Casino Resort & Hotel – Best Vancouver Casino for Southern Visitors & True Gamblers

☆☆☆☆ | Area: Richmond | 8888 River Rock Blvd. | Skytrain: Bridgeport

This four-star casino resort is located in the suburb of Richmond, near Vancouver International Airport (YVR). While Parq is more for a night out, River Rock has more of an older, slot machine grinder crowd.

River Rock Casino has a sprawling 70,000 sq. ft., making it the biggest casino in Vancouver.

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Here, you’ll find a massive selection of slots available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• More than 1,100 slots
• Poker room
• Table games (blackjack, pai gow, roulette, craps, sic bo, poker variants, baccarat and more)
• Racebook
• 71 stadium gaming terminals
• High-limit VIP room 

What’s more, the hotel’s location is right near a local transit hub. Visitors from Washington State or Vancouver Island will appreciate its vicinity to Highway 99.

Foodies will also appreciate the brand new Gordan Ramsay Steak, one of the city’s top steakhouses.

Bridgeport Station also places you just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver by subway.

The Grand Villa Casino – Best Casino in Vancouver for Slot Machine Lovers

☆☆☆☆ | Area: Burnaby | 4331 Dominion St. | Skytrain: N/A

The Gran Villa Casino is located in the suburb of Burnaby, around 30-40 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

This Vancouver casino offers a high level of convenience for visitors coming from Highway 1, such as those from the interior or Alberta.

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The Grand Villa’s 100,000 sq ft casino is also divided into two floors. An extensive renovation has modernized the facility to include:

• 1300 slot machines
• 67 table games (blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, pai gow, poker variants and more)
• 12-table poker room (BC’s largest)
• Pulse Arena (stadium gaming experience)
• Cypress and Prive private VIP gaming lounges

Do keep in mind, though, that the casino is located a difficult 20-30 minute walk from the nearest Skytrain station – mostly through industrial space.

Related: The Best Cheap Hotels in Vancouver 

Cascades Casino Langley – Best Casino in Vancouver BC for Eastern Visitors

☆☆☆ | Area: Langley | 20393 Fraser Hwy. | Skytrain: N/A

Admittedly, labeling Cascades Casino as a Vancouver casino may be a bit of a stretch.

It’s actually located in the suburb of Langley, about an hour’s drive east of Vancouver. The city is technically part of the GVRD (local regional district), and nearby Surrey is BC’s fastest-growing city. 

The newly renovated Coast Hotel and Convention Centre just happens to be the largest accommodation in the area – with a 24/7 full-service casino attached. 

The Cascade’s 84,500 sq ft casino floor contains most of the options of its more vaunted urban cousins.

At Cascades, you’ll expect to find:

• 1001 slot machines
• 28 table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, pai gow, poker variants and more)
• 5 poker tables
• Bingo hall
• Crystal Room high-limit slot

I’m recommending this for those wanting a casino experience without having to drive all the way to Vancouver.

Other Casinos in the Vancouver Area

Hastings Racecourse – Best Racetrack in Vancouver

Area: East Vancouver | 188 N. Renfrew St. | Skytrain: N/A (R5 Rapidbus from DT)

For those on the lookout for a unique gambling experience, the Hastings Racecourse provides a mix of live horse racing and traditional slot machines.

The experience of watching a horse that you’ve bet heavily on coming around the bend is unparalleled in the gambling world – so what better place to experience it?

At Hastings Racecourse, you’ll also find:

• Over 500 slot machines
• Restaurant and buffet
• A full-service lounge

The track is located on the PNE grounds in East Vancouver. During summer in Vancouver, the area hosts the Pacific National Exhibition, Western Canada’s largest fair.

Starlight Casino – Best Casino in Vancouver for a Chill Night Out

Area: New Westminster | 350 Gifford St. | Skytrain: N/A

The Starlight Casino can be found about 40 minutes Southeast of downtown Vancouver, in New Westminster’s Queensborough District.

This relative newcomer to the Vancouver casino scene offers all of the dining and entertainment options one would expect of a modern casino – with six options in total.

Here’s a look at what you’ll find:

• 935 slot machines
• 54 table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, pai gow, baccarat)
• Racebook
• Solar Arena (stadium gaming experience)
• 5 restaurants and lounge

While reasonably well situated near Highway 91A, the area can be quite congested during the day, so I’d recommend visiting later at night.

Hard Rock Casino Vancouver – Best Casino for Entertainment

Area: Coquitlam | 2080 United Blvd. | Skytrain: N/A

This casino does rock, though the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver is not actually located in the city of Vancouver.

You’ll have to venture 40+ minutes via Highway 1 from downtown to try your hand at your game of choice. 

Here, you’ll find a heightened emphasis on music and entertainment. The casino’s 1000-seat show theatre regularly welcomes large touring acts from across the globe. The Asylum prioritizes upcoming local talent over the usual drab casino cover bands – which is always a plus.

The property is also home to the new Gordan Ramsay’s Burger, if you fancy yourself a gourmet burger before you hit the tables.

The casino’s 80,000 square ft gaming floor includes:

• Over 950 slot machines
• 35 table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, poker variations and more)
• Poker room
• 48 multi-table stadium gaming terminals
• 2 concert venues
• 3 restaurants and a lounge

People in the suburbs looking for a good night out without having to drive downtown should consider this.

Vancouver Casinos FAQ

Is gambling legal in British Columbia?

Yes, gambling is legal in BC for those over 19 years of age. All gambling activities, such as lotteries, horse racing, slot machines, and casino games, are regulated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation – a division of the provincial government.

Are there casinos in Vancouver BC?

Yes, there are currently 8 casinos located throughout the Lower Mainland including:

• the River Rock Casino (Richmond)
• the PARQ (Vancouver)
• Hastings Racetrack (Vancouver)
• the Grand Villa (Burnaby)
• the Hard Rock Casino (Coquitlam)
• Elements Casino (Surrey)
• Cascades Casino (Langley)

Are there any casinos in Downtown Vancouver?

The only Vancouver casino downtown is the Parq Vancouver, located in the Stadium District. With the exception of the smaller Hastings Racecourse, all other Vancouver area casinos are located in nearby suburbs.

What is the best Vancouver casino?

The newest and most vibrant Vancouver casino is easily The Parq, a Vegas-style casino located in the city’s downtown core. However, the River Rock and Grand Villa hold their own or even surpass the Parq when viewed strictly from a gaming perspective, making them just as popular – particularly with older gamblers.

Ready to Roll the Dice at a Vancouver Casino?

I’ve laid my cards on the table when it comes to my knowledge of the Vancouver casino scene.

Now’s the time for you to play your hand! What casino are you headed to and what games are you looking forward to playing? 

Also, don’t be afraid to hit us up in the comments below if you’re looking for custom advice on Vancouver casinos or anything else in the city.

Best of luck at the tables 😉