Billy Barker Casino Hotel Review

A casino beside the Fraser River is home to a historic gambling venue. But is Billy Barker Casino Hotel still worth a visit?

Our talented team provides a detailed review of this historic casino including gaming insights, player reviews, and competitor analysis.

Billy Barker Casino Hotel Ratings

Table of Contents

• Billy Barker Casino Hotel Rating and Review Process
• Slot Machines – 5/5
• Casino Games – 0/5
• Staff & Service – 5/5
• Loyalty & Rewards – 4/5
• Casino Atmosphere – 4/5
• House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5
• Player Feedback – 4.3/5
• Operator – 4/5
• Billy Barker Casino Hotel Competitors
• Barker Casino Hotel Pros and Cons
• Is Billy Barker Casino Hotel Worth a Visit?

Billy Barker Casino Hotel Rating and Review Process

We visit the casinos to provide genuine, first-hand experiences. This is why our reviews provide you with all the insight you need to make an informed decision about selecting a casino to visit.

How we inspected Billy Barker Casino Hotel

• Date of visit: 08/17/2024
• Time of visit: 3 PM – 10 PM
• Initial bankroll: C$100
• What we played: Slots
• Final bankroll: C$136
• Next visit: 08/16/2025

What we looked at

We provide such extensive detail in our casino reviews because we consider both subjective and objective factors.

For example, objectively we check for progressive jackpot games while subjectively, we analyze the casino’s overall atmosphere.

What we found

Slot Machines – 5/5

Billy Barker Casino Hotel has a much smaller collection of slots than most. However, there is plenty of variety, there are several progressive jackpots, and you can bet from as little as C$0.01.

Slots we played at Billy Barker Casino Hotel

We began one of our favourite jackpot games with 88 Fortunes.

Next, we hit the classics including TwinWin and Ancient Dragon. We played Bally’s Black & White Double Jackpot purely because it still has a physical lever.

Finally, we closed the night chasing jackpots on Wheel of Fortune Cash Link and BC Gold.

How many slot machines does Billy Barker Casino Hotel have?

Billy Barker Casino Hotel has about 140 slot machines.

Do the slot machines accept coins?

No, the slot machines will only accept cash notes, paper casino vouchers, and Encore Rewards cards.

Slot machine providers

• Aristocrat
• IGT
• Bally
• Konami

Local progressive jackpots

Many of the slots at Billy Barker Casino Hotel feature progressive jackpots.

Casino Games – 0/5

Billy Barker Casino Hotel used to have some gaming tables around the back of the casino floor. However, none were found during our visit, and it seems the casino is now dedicated to slots.

In the past, Billy Barker Casino Hotel offered blackjack, roulette, and poker – hopefully, we’ll see a return for some of these table games in the near future.

Staff & Service – 5/5

Food & Drinks

The restaurant is open every day and offers breakfast and a main menu. Breakfast is served from 8 AM until 11:00 AM.

Both menus are huge, offering plenty of choices. You can also enjoy a breakfast buffet on Sundays.

We were impressed with the prices, with nothing really over C$20 and the portion sizes were excellent.

Additional dining options, including bars, are available in the hotel too.

Opening times

• Sun – Mon: 8 AM – 2 PM
• Tues – Thurs: 8 AM – 8 PM
• Fri – Sat: 8 AM – 9 PM

How much do you tip at Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

Complimentary tips in British Columbia are between 15 and 20%.

Does Billy Barker Casino Hotel offer free drinks?

Players can grab complimentary coffee while playing casino games.

Is there a buffet at Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

Yes, the casino offers a breakfast buffet every Sunday between 8 AM and 1 PM.

You can grab a variety of items including scrambled eggs, French toast, Blackstone benny and numerous meats and pastries.

The buffet costs C$24 for adults, C$19 for seniors, and C$17 for kids.

Parking

You can also find additional free public parking lots nearby.

Accommodation

The hotel is uniquely designed to appear like a Gold Rush-era paddle-wheeler. It’s a 3-star hotel with 40 rooms, with several suites, and a 24-hour front desk.

The hotel has a uniquely historic atmosphere that we found charming – for example, the cabin suite even has a fireplace.

Standard rooms start at C$120 per night and a luxury suite can cost up to C$215 per night.

Do you tip room service at Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

The hotel does not offer room service.

Are there smoking areas?

Following BC smoking regulations, this is a non-smoking casino and hotel. You’ll have to go outside to smoke.

Security

Security was pleasantly polite when checking our IDs, and we noticed CCTV covered the casino facility well.

Loyalty & Rewards – 4/5

How does the Billy Barker Casino Hotel rewards program work?

The Encore Rewards program is free to join and offers numerous benefits.

To earn further free-play, players earn points by playing casino games – $1 slot spend equals 1 point.

What you get

• C$10 free play sign-up bonus
• Exclusive promotions
• Further free play

How to register in the program

1. Go to https://billybarkercasino.com/encoure-rewards-card/
2. Click “Sign Up” then click “Join the club”
3. Provide your personal details as requested
4. Once completed, await your Encore Rewards card

Casino Atmosphere – 4/5

Inside Billy Barker Casino Hotel

We explored the décor of the casino and get a feel for the overall atmosphere. We also experienced the local surroundings and checked for alternative entertainment events at Billy Barker Casino Hotel.

Design experience

Billy Barker Casino Hotel is very unique. It is designed – both inside and out – to look like a 1800s river paddle-wheeler and it simply oozes character.

You really do feel like you’re back in the Gold Rush, playing slots along the Fraser River.

Are you allowed to take photos in Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

Yes, you can take photos on the casino floor. Just be mindful of others and try not to alarm security by spending time photographing slots.

Location and surroundings

A well-known lumbering and industrial area, Quesnel will please lovers of the great outdoors.

There are plenty of fishing spots, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Besides views of the Fraser River, there isn’t too much to see around the casino facility.

Do you need a passport to visit Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

A passport is one form of acceptable ID at Billy Barker Casino Hotel. You can also use any form of photographic government-issued ID.

This casino also reserves the right to request a secondary form of ID in addition to your primary ID. For example, you could use a driver’s license and your passport.

Events

Billy Barker Casino Hotel features a 100-seat banquet hall called the Showroom.

General events are a bit rare these days, but the Showroom has hosted local musical acts in the past.

It is mostly used to host conventions, seminars and workshops these days.

House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5

When is Billy Barker Casino Hotel open?

Billy Barker Casino Hotel is open every day from 9 AM. The casino closes at 10 PM on Sunday to Thursday, and 12 AM on Friday and Saturday.

Does Billy Barker Casino Hotel charge entry?

No, entry is completely free.

Do you always need a reservation to play at Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

Reservations are not required. Just visit and play any game that has a free seat.

Is membership required at Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

No, there is no membership but signing up for the Encore Rewards program has loads of perks.

Dress code

The player code has a single line addressing the dress code. You cannot wear any clothing or accessories that are gang-related.

This means you don’t have to get all dressed up to the nines at Billy Barker Casino Hotel.

Standout rules at Billy Barker Casino Hotel

• A secondary form of ID may be requested in addition to your primary ID

Player Feedback – 4.3/5

The casino has been reviewed over 800 times on Tripadvisor and Google.

Billy Barker Casino Hotel player reviews

Google – 4.1/5

Players loved the themed hotel rooms, the fun atmosphere, and the customer service.

However, some serious players felt the casino’s gaming options were limited.

Tripadvisor – 4.5/5

Many players commended the hospitality and reasonable pricing. But some customers felt the hotel rooms to be small.

Most common issues

• Limited gaming options
• Small hotel rooms

Operator – 4/5

Who owns Billy Barker Casino Hotel?

Billy Barker Casino Hotel is a family business owned by local businessman Brad Kotzer.

Brad and his family also manage the casino and hotel.

Contact info

Billy Barker Casino Hotel Competitors

With over 36 casinos and gambling facilities in British Columbia, there are plenty of competitors.

Billy Barker Casino Hotel vs Treasure Cove Casino

This casino is located about a 1-hour drive north of Billy Barker Casino Hotel.

Treasure Cove is bigger than Billy Barker with over 500 slots and six different table games.

Treasure Cove Casino & Bingo is best for playing bingo

The casino is famous for its massive bingo hall. With over 600 terminals, a packed-out bingo night is an incredible experience.

Billy Barker Casino Hotel vs Cascades Casino Kamloops

Cascades is south of Billy Barker in Kamloops.

The gaming offering is similar to Treasure Cove Casino & Bingo – over 440 slots, a handful of table games, and two poker tables.

Cascades Casino Kamloops is the best alternative for playing poker

The casino offers the only no-limit poker games in Kamloops which includes Texas Hold’em.

There is also a hefty Bad Beat Jackpot that can reach a maximum of C$500,000.

What sets Billy Barker Casino Hotel apart from its competitors?

Billy Barker Casino Hotel offers a genuinely unique experience in a province filled with casinos that look and feel the same.

This casino is themed, looks visually like no other casino, and is steeped in history.

Barker Casino Hotel Pros and Cons

Pros

• Great mix of classic and modern slot games
• Loads of regular casino promotions including free play
• Massive progressive jackpot network slots
• Affordable dining with generous portions

Cons

• No table games

Is Billy Barker Casino Hotel Worth a Visit?

If table gaming is a must, then Billy Barker Casino Hotel won’t be for you.

But this casino is right up your alley if you’re after a good time, plenty of exciting slots, and big progressive jackpots to chase.

The casino certainly caters to casual players, but we believe even serious players will want to experience the historic charm of Billy Barker Casino Hotel.