Casino Nanaimo Review

Back in 2022, someone won C$2.1 million from a single spin at Casino Nanaimo. So, is this casino the home of jackpots?

We review Casino Nanaimo, providing all the latest details on available games, promotions and jackpots, dining options, and more.

Casino Nanaimo Ratings

Table of Contents

• Casino Nanaimo Rating and Review Process
• Slot Machines – 5/5
• Casino Games – 4/5
• Staff & Service – 3/5
• Loyalty & Rewards – 5/5
• Casino Atmosphere – 3/5
• House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5
• Player Feedback – 3.6/5
• Operator – 5/5
• Casino Nanaimo Competitors
• Casino Nanaimo Pros and Cons
• Should You Visit Casino Nanaimo?

Casino Nanaimo Rating and Review Process

By visiting the casino, we can provide vital details from our genuine first-hand experience. Our goal is to give you all the tools to make an informed decision about your next gaming session.

How we inspected Casino Nanaimo

• Date of visit: 09/14/2024
• Time of visit: 2 PM – 12 AM
• Initial bankroll: C$100
• What we played: Slots, Blackjack, VLT
• Final bankroll: C$145
• Next visit: 09/15/2025

What we looked at

Our experts look at both subjective and objective criteria to ensure our reviews are totally thorough. Objectively, we look for a minimum number of slot providers and progressive jackpots. Subjectively, we challenge and analyze the house rules.

What we found

Slot Machines – 5/5

You’ll find hundreds of different themes and plenty of jackpots from vibrant machines powered by three top slot makers.

Slots we played at Casino Nanaimo

We got started with a few classic slots including Gold Stack and Cats. Next, we played Wicked Winnings and Rising Fortunes.

Finally, we ended the night in the usual way – trying for a major jackpot win. We attempted to win the jackpots on BC Gold, Powerbucks, and Lighting Link, to no avail.

How many slot machines does Casino Nanaimo have?

Casino Nanaimo has over 400 slot machines.

Do the slot machines accept coins?

No, the slot machines only accept cash notes, printed casino vouchers, and free play from Encore Rewards cards.

Slot machine providers

• Aristocrat
• IGT
• Bally

Local progressive jackpots

Casino Games – 4/5

The casino has six live tables covering four game types.

If the tables are busy, 10 VLT machines let you play electronic versions of classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.

Game types

• Kings Bounty Blackjack
• Free Bet Blackjack
• RUYI Baccarat
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em

Betting limits

We played Free Bet Blackjack, and the minimum bet was only C$5.

VLT machines allow for very small bets starting at C$0.50.

Can anyone bet the highest limits or you need special VIP access?

Anyone can bet the highest limits of any game. VIP access is not required.

Casino Nanaimo poker tournaments

You can play C$1/C$3 No Limit Texas Hold’em every day of the week. Buy-ins are C$100 and a maximum of C$500 re-buys. Make sure you contact Guest Services to reserve a seat.

Staff & Service – 3/5

Food & Drinks

You have one restaurant at Casino Nanaimo – The Well Public House.

The Well begins at breakfast and ends with late-night bites until 10 PM/12 AM. We found a little bit of everything on the menu including Asian cuisine, BBQ grills, Poutine, and smaller bites like chicken wings.

Very few dishes cost more than C$17 or C$18 and there is a great selection of large roasts for only C$20. The Well also serves local & international brews, wines, and cocktails.

Opening hours:

• Sun – Thurs: 11 AM – 10 PM
• Fri & Sat: 11 AM – 12 AM

How much do you tip at Casino Nanaimo?

A complimentary tip in British Columbia is usually between 15 and 20%.

Does Casino Nanaimo offer free drinks?

Yes, some can get free non-alcoholic drinks such as pop and there are free coffee machines.

Is there a buffet at Casino Nanaimo?

No, there is no buffet at Casino Nanaimo.

Parking

A large free parking lot is located right outside the casino.

Accommodation

Casino Nanaimo doesn’t have a hotel of its own, but we confirmed four hotels within comfortable walking distance.

The 1-star Painted Turtle Guesthouse is the cheapest option at about C$100 per night.

Courtyard Nanaimo is the nearest option, located opposite the casino, and will set you back about C$220 per night.

Do you tip room service at Casino Nanaimo?

The attendants would certainly appreciate a tip if the hotel you choose offers room service. However, it is not mandatory.

Are there smoking areas?

The hotels and the casino are all non-smoking venues. If you want to smoke, you’ll need to go outside.

Security

The casino security team was among the friendliest we’ve encountered in British Columbia.

CCTV covers all of the casino, but parking areas do not seem to be fully covered despite.

Loyalty & Rewards – 5/5

How does the Casino Nanaimo rewards program work?

Casino Nanaimo accepts the BC-wide Encore Rewards card. The card is free to obtain, consists of multiple tiers, and provides access to exclusive benefits.

What you get

• Free play
• Dining discounts
• Exclusive promos, gifts, and draws

How to register in the program

1. Enter Casino Nanaimo
2. Go to Guest Services
3. Ask for an Encore Rewards card
4. Complete the form and provide your ID
5. Receive your Encore Rewards card

Casino Atmosphere – 3/5

Inside Casino Nanaimo

We paid close attention to the interior décor of the casino facility and explored the local area.

Our experts looked for additional forms of entertainment such as live events.

Design experience

The casino floor is dark with rather low ceilings, and you get a certain vibe that matches a boardwalk arcade.

We felt the décor was quite dated, but it didn’t detract from the atmosphere in any way.

Are you allowed to take photos in Casino Nanaimo?

You can take photos within the casino, but you cannot take photos of the live gaming areas.

Location and surroundings

Nanaimo oozes charm with its natural harbour and small seaside town vibes.

There are plenty of trails, parks, and views of one of the longest shorelines in Canada.

Visit at the right time to enjoy local festivals and cultural events.

Do you need a passport to visit Casino Nanaimo?

A passport is one of several acceptable forms of ID. You can also use your BCID, your driver’s license, or a photographic national ID card.

Events

Casino Nanaimo doesn’t offer live entertainment. The casino does have event space, but it is reserved for corporate and personal events such as weddings and conventions.

House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5

When is Casino Nanaimo open?

Casino Nanaimo is open every day from 10 AM until 1 AM, except Friday and Saturday when the casino is open until 2 AM.

Does Casino Nanaimo charge entry?

No, entry is free.

Do you always need a reservation to play at Casino Nanaimo?

No, generally, you can just sit at any available seat.

Is membership required at Casino Nanaimo?

There is no membership required or offered at Casino Nanaimo. We do recommend joining the Encore Rewards program though.

Dress code

We confirmed there is no strict dress code at Casino Nanaimo. Many players were very casually dressed in t-shirts and flip-flops.

Use common sense, so don’t wear anything gang-related, offensive, or anything promoting violence.

Standout rules at Casino Nanaimo

Like most casinos in British Columbia, the rules are straightforward. We found no rules that stood out.

Player Feedback – 3.6/5

We counted almost 1,000 reviews of Casino Nanaimo on Tripadvisor and Google.

Casino Nanaimo player reviews

Google – 3.8/5

Players liked the fast service, and the great restaurant prices and many thought the live dealers were very friendly.

However, several players struggled to reserve a seat for busy poker games.

Tripadvisor – 3.5/5

Reviewers consistently stated they enjoyed their experience and reiterated other reviewers’ statements about friendly and fast service.

A few serious players called the casino “basic” and seemed to refer to the low number of live tables.

Most common issues

• Tables can get very busy
• Limited table numbers

Operator – 5/5

Who owns Casino Nanaimo?

The casino is owned and operated by one of the biggest gaming operators in the country, Great Canadian Entertainment.

Other casinos by the same operator

• Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
• Casino Ajax
• Elements Casino Grand River

Contact info

Casino Nanaimo Competitors

With only two other casinos on Vancouver Island, online casinos in Canada provide much of the Casino Nanaimo’s competition.

However, if you cross the Strait of Georgia, you’ll dozens of casinos within a short drive of each other.

Casino Nanaimo vs Chances Courtenay

Chances Courtenay is about an hour and a half drive north of Casino Nanaimo.

The casino is much smaller than Casino Nanaimo with only 200 slots, no live table games, and bingo is still temporarily closed.

Chances Courtenay is best for fun events

The casino hosts live bands and DJs every Friday and Saturday night, and there are plenty of watch parties for major sporting events.

Annual events like the Drag Brunch are certainly worth the trip alone.

Casino Nanaimo vs Elements Casino Victoria

Elements Casino Victoria is also about an hour and a half away from Casino Nanaimo, but this time south.

This casino has 14 live gaming tables featuring all the classics, over 700 slots, off-track betting, and bingo.

Elements Casino Victoria is the best alternative for live poker

The casino has a poker room offering C$1/C$3 No Limit Poker and C$2/C$5 No Limit Poker.

You can also win two Bad Beat Jackpots including an exclusive Local Bad Beat Jackpot.

What sets Casino Nanaimo apart from its competitors?

The exciting promotions are one of the biggest reasons Casino Nanaimo stands out from the crowd in BC.

At least three poker promotions are running at all times. There is a generous local Bad Beat Jackpot and a progressive High Hand Jackpot that can be won at multiple tables.

The casino also regularly runs slot tournaments and thrilling draws.

Casino Nanaimo Pros and Cons

Pros

• History of jackpot payouts
• Casual-friendly low bet limits
• Weekly No Limit Hold’em games

Cons

• Only six live gaming tables

Should You Visit Casino Nanaimo?

Casino Nanaimo has something to offer anyone who likes to play casino games.

You can choose from table games, poker, and hundreds of slots – although you may find the tables fill up quickly on a busy weekend. The betting limits are geared towards casual players, but serious bettors can still find No Limit poker games every evening.

There is a great dining experience to be had, and the service is quick and friendly.

Set against the wonderful Nanaimo harbour, we’d argue this is certainly a casino vacation hotspot.