Casino of the Rockies

Casino of the Rockies stands on the grounds of St. Eugene and opened in September 2002, a few months before the hotel. This page describes it neutrally: what is there, the rules at the door, the hours and the help available. We do not cover promotions, loyalty offers or free play, and we have left them out on purpose.

The room

The casino was recently renovated into a 19,000 square foot space. Its design, the resort says, honours the Ktunaxa Nation's deep connection to the earth, with bold, nature-based patterns of the flora and fauna of the mountains and foothills. The restaurant, Kiʔsuʔk k̓ikiⱡ, sits on a raised floor beside the gaming area. A sports lounge with an 18-foot screen can show up to six games at once, and there is a pool table. The venue also hosts live music and events, which are listed on the casino's own calendar.

Opened

September 2002

Size

19,000 sq ft

Hours

11 am–11 pm Sunday–Thursday; 11 am–1 am Friday–Saturday

Season

open year-round

Slot machines

210, including electronic roulette, baccarat and blackjack

Table games

four choices, electronic; no live tables at present

Other

lottery centre, pool table, sports lounge with BCLC terminals

Age

19+, government photo ID at every visit

Phone

1.866.292.2020 (resort)

At the door

You must be 19 or older and show government-issued photo ID each time you enter. The casino may ask for two pieces of ID: a driver's licence, passport or BC ID card. It says the newer enhanced status cards are accepted as primary ID, while older status cards must be shown with another recognised ID. Each ID is checked against the database of people who are restricted from entering gambling facilities. The casino says the check does not store your personal information.

House rules worth knowing

• Drinks are allowed on the gaming floor but cannot be taken through the doors to the lobby. B.C.'s Serving It Right rules apply.
• Shirts and shoes are required, and no outside food or drink is allowed.
• A slot machine can be reserved through an attendant for up to 10 minutes, after cashing out.
• Credits left on an unoccupied machine are cashed out by staff.
• There is a smoking area inside the casino. Smoking is not allowed in hotel rooms or on balconies, and there are designated areas around the resort.

Help on the floor

The casino is accredited by the Responsible Gambling Council. Its GameSense Info Centre is at the far left, at the end of the restaurant railing in the back corner, and is often staffed by a GameSense Advisor. Advisers explain how each game works and what the odds of winning and losing are, and they help people balance time and money. They can also enrol anyone who wants a break in Game Break, B.C.'s voluntary self-exclusion programme. It runs for six months, one, two or three years, starts immediately and cannot be shortened. You can enrol at any casino with photo ID, by video call through 1-866-815-0222 (press 3), or online through a PlayNow account. For support away from the casino, Gambling Support BC answers around the clock at 1-888-795-6111.

In context

Compared with the casino floors of Niagara Falls, Windsor or Gatineau, this is a small room, and the comparison is on casino games compared. Most guests at St. Eugene treat it as one part of an evening, between dinner and the walk back. That is the scale it was built for.