River Cree Resort & Casino Review
Take a short drive to the outskirts of Edmonton to find a special First Nations gaming experience. River Cree Resort & Casino might not be on everyone’s radar with so many casinos in Edmonton, so we tasked our experts with finding out what the casino has to offer. Read on to learn all about the games, rules, and features at River Cree Resort & Casino.
River Cree Resort & Casino Ratings
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 |
|---|---|
Slot Machines | 5/5 |
Casino Games | 4.5/5 |
Staff & Service | 5/5 |
Loyalty & Rewards | 4/5 |
Casino Atmosphere | 3/5 |
House Rules (T&Cs) | 4/5 |
Player Feedback | 4/5 |
Operator | 5/5 |
Table of Contents
- Rating and Review Process for River Cree Resort & Casino
- Slot Machines – 5/5
- Casino Games – 4.5/5
- Staff & Service – 5/5
- Loyalty & Rewards – 4/5
- Casino Atmosphere – 3/5
- House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5
- Player Feedback – 4/5
- Operator – 5/5
- River Cree Resort & Casino Competitors
- River Cree Casino Pros and Cons
- Should You Gamble at River Cree Resort & Casino?
Rating and Review Process for River Cree Resort & Casino
Our rating process uses a unique and specialized review system that allows our experts to analyze casinos across Canada. By applying our review system and physically visiting every casino we test, we are able to provide an analysis like no other.
How we inspected River Cree Resort & Casino
- Date of visit: 11/25/2023
- Time of visit: 5 PM – 1 AM
- Initial bankroll: C$100
- What we played: Blackjack and slots
- Final bankroll: C$345
- Next visit: 10/18/2024
What we looked at
We did far more than just play a couple of slots. Our experts took an objective approach by checking for factors such as gaming quality, dining options, and vital features like accommodation or entertainment options.
However, we also looked at the casino subjectively by analyzing the overall atmosphere, scrutinizing the house rules, and reviewing the operators’ legitimacy.
What we found
Address | 300 East Lapotac Blvd Box 179 Enoch, Alberta T7X 3Y3 |
Open hours | 24/7 (Table & Poker: 11 AM – 3 AM) |
Membership | Not required |
Minimum age | 18 |
ID checks | Yes |
Game types | Slots, table, poker, VLT |
Tables | 52 |
Slot machines | 1,370 |
Gaming terminals | 10 |
Payment | Cash, Card |
Average betting range | Slots: C$0.01-25 Table: C$5+ |
Free drinks (Canada) | No |
Restaurant | Yes |
Hotel | Yes |
Poker tournaments | Texas Hold’em and Omaha poker |
Slot Machines – 5/5
River Cree boasts the only C$25 slot machine in Alberta, which can be found in the high roller section of Embers. You can also choose from a wide variety of themes, game features, and the casino hosts several slot promotions throughout the year.
Slots we played at River Cree Resort & Casino
We went straight for the first progressive jackpot we saw: Life of Luxury. Without winning the jackpot, we moved on to a section of Konami slots. After about an hour of playing blackjack, we finished the night with a quick jackpot attempt on Alberta Gold.
How many slot machines does River Cree Resort & Casino have?
There are 1,370 slot machines, including the 405 slots located in the Embers smoking and gaming section.
Do the slot machines accept coins?
No, the slots only accept cash notes, and you can swipe your rewards card.
Slot machine providers
- WMS Gaming
- Konami
- IGT
- Bally
Local progressive jackpots
Back in 2016, one lucky woman won a million dollars playing the Diamond Millions progressive jackpot slot at River Cree Casino. Besides loads of local progressive jackpot slots with four jackpots, there are numerous slots on the Alberta progressive network which includes games like Alberta Gold, Jackpot Junction, and Diamond Millions.
Casino Games – 4.5/5
There are a total of 15 tables on the main casino floor and 14 in the Embers smoking section. Games include classics like blackjack, roulette, and craps. Additionally, 11 high roller tables offer higher betting limits for blackjack and baccarat games.
The 12-room poker room is open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday, and features a private smoking room, a dedicated bar, and weekly promotions.
Game types
- Roulette
- Blackjack
- Poker
- Craps
- Baccarat
Betting limits
Roulette is a little pricey with a minimum C$5 needed to place a straight bet. Some minimum bet requirements for other games like blackjack went as high as C$20. Non-tournament poker games have a maximum possible single hand win of C$25,000.
Can anyone bet the highest limits or you need special VIP access?
Nope, the maximum table limits are for everyone.
River Cree Resort & Casino poker tournaments
Tournaments are held in the poker room and include Omaha and Hold’em poker, with buy-ins ranging from C$75 to over C$300.
Staff & Service – 5/5
Food & Drinks
The casino offers a wide array of dining options with nine bars and restaurants including popular chains like Starbucks, Cha Xpress, and Fatburger. We opted to dine at The Kitchen, which offers a buffet after 4 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Prices are reasonable but the Sunday Buffet costs C$64.99.
The average price of a main menu item across the numerous dining options lands somewhere between C$12 and C$20.
How much do you tip at River Cree Resort & Casino?
The expected tip in Alberta is between 15-20% depending on the quality of service.
Does River Cree Resort & Casino offer free drinks?
This Enoch casino doesn’t offer free drinks to players at the slots or tables. There are happy hours though.
Is there a buffet at River Cree Resort & Casino?
Yes, The Kitchen boasts several buffets held during the evening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 4 PM and 10 PM. The price ranges from C$49.99 to C$64.99 per adult – kids can eat at the buffet for about half the price.
Parking
Parking is free and there is an abundance of it. There is no security lock up though but rather the casino is surrounded by a huge parking lot. Valet parking is available between 9 AM and 3 AM – perfect since the parking lot can get pretty dark at night.
Accommodation
The four-star hotel is located right next to the casino and boasts 249 fully serviced rooms which include 11 suites. Onsite perks include a swimming pool, a whirlpool, and a gym. You can also enjoy 24/7 room service.
Expect to pay between C$150 and C$250 for a night’s stay – add a couple of hundred dollars for the suite though.
Do you tip room service at River Cree Resort & Casino?
Yes, it is customary to tip the room service attendants.
Are there smoking areas?
Hotel guests will have to smoke outside. However, the casino has a dedicated smoking section called Embers. It is located by the north entrance and features over 400 slot machines, an impressive ventilation system, and 14 table games. The poker room also has a private smoking area.
Security
Security checked our IDs upon entry – we are certainly over 30, so we took this as a compliment. CCTV covers the casino floor, dining areas, bars, and hallways.
However, we did note that there doesn’t seem to be much coverage for a large area of the parking lot.
Loyalty & Rewards – 4/5
How does the River Cree Resort & Casino rewards program work?
The Players Club rewards system is a points-based VIP and rewards program that is entirely free to join. Additionally, players over the age of 50 can join the Cruiser’s Club which provides extra perks including more discounts and points boosts.
Players will receive points by betting, dining and just swiping their cards upon entry.
For every 2,000 points you accumulate, you’ll get C$1 in Rivers Cree Bucks. Bucks can be spent in the gift shop or on food and beverages.
What you get
- Monthly promotions
- 10% dining discounts
- Redeem points for River Cree Bucks
- Exclusive promotions and personalized offers
How to register in the program
- Visit the Players Club at the casino
- Fill out the form
- Provide your government-issued ID
- Receive your Players Card
Casino Atmosphere – 3/5
Inside River Cree Resort & Casino
We analyzed and provided our thoughts about the interior design and the overall atmosphere of the casino facility.
Design experience
The interior is quite modern looking with subtle design elements that pay homage to the Enoch Cree Nation. We noted the finish on the timber to be quite vibrant and the open plan of the casino almost disguises its size, feeling larger than its 25,000 square feet.
Are you allowed to take photos in River Cree Resort & Casino?
Yes, you can take photos in the casino but not at the gaming tables.
Location and surroundings
The casino is located on the outskirts of the town, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown. You’re also going to be on the outskirts of Epoch land, so you haven’t got a whole lot to look at. Your surroundings include Winterburn Road and loads of grass.
Do you need a passport to visit River Cree Resort & Casino?
No, you just need any form of government-issued photo ID. For some international guests, a passport might be the best option though.
Events
The Venue has played host to a plethora of musicians, comedians and performers. Musical acts range from aging rock bands to cover artists, while some fairly prominent comedians still book The Venue at River Cree Resort & Casino. Ticket prices will vary but generally start at around the C$30 mark.
House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5
River Cree Resort & Casino opening hours
The Enoch casino is open 24/7. You’ll be able to play slots at any time but the poker room and table games are only open between 11 AM and 3 AM.
Does River Cree Resort & Casino charge entry?
No, entry is free.
Do you always need a reservation to play at River Cree Resort & Casino?
No, you can sit at any table if there is a free seat.
Is membership required at River Cree Resort & Casino?
Membership is not required to play at River Cree Resort & Casino, but there are a lot of perks for signing up for free.
Dress code
The dress code just states that there is a dress code, and that shoes and shirts are required. This is a given but we determined that the dress code is simply casual. Just don’t wear anything offensive or gang-related.
Standout rules at River Cree Resort & Casino
- The casino will check ID if they think you look under 30
Player Feedback – 4/5
This casino has been reviewed over 7,700 times on Tripadvisor and Google. Those reviews were highly favourable and we noticed the same comments across both platforms.
River Cree Resort & Casino player reviews
Google – 4.2/5
Google reviewers are big fans of River Cree Casino with many players commenting on the pleasant atmosphere and First Nations design. Also, many of the negative reviews were old and concerned about the amount of smoke present – an issue remedied by the Embers section.
Tripadvisor – 4/5
Reviewers mostly agreed about the friendly staff, great atmosphere, and enjoyable dining but there were numerous comments about ‘paper thin walls’ and the high cost of the hotel rooms.
Most common issues
- Expensive hotel rooms
- Noisy hotel rooms
Operator – 5/5
Who owns River Cree Resort & Casino?
River Cree Resort & Casino is a First Nations casino owned by River Cree Enterprises Limited Partnership which is the business entity of the Enoch Cree Nation.
In 2020, the casino donated 10% of its profits to all other First Nations in Alberta.
Contact info
Website | https://www.rivercreeresort.com |
Email address | Web form at https://www.rivercreeresort.com/contact/ |
Telephone number | 1-844-425-CREE(2733) +1 780-484-2121 |
Other | Facebook, X, Instagram |
River Cree Resort & Casino Competitors
With another 12 casinos in Edmonton, River Cree certainly has competition. The casino has to contend with online casinos in Canada too.
River Cree Resort & Casino vs Starlight Casino
Not far from River Cree Resort & Casino is Starlight Casino. This commercial casino has over 900 slots, numerous table games, but no poker room. However, the dining options offer something a little different to River Cree but several restaurants are currently temporarily closed.
Starlight Casino is best for late-night slot gaming
This casino can get quiet in the early hours of the morning and the slots are open until 5 AM. Starlight is a great option to drop by for a quick spin of the reels after an evening out.
River Cree Resort & Casino vs PURE Casino Edmonton
PURE Casino Edmonton is the biggest casino in Edmonton at a massive 72,000 square feet of gaming. Like River Cree, the slots are available 24/7 but unlike River Cree, the poker room is also available 24/7.
PURE Casino Edmonton is the best alternative for poker
The poker room is open 24/7, features several different poker games, and offers loads of tournaments each month which include no-limit tournaments.
What sets River Cree Resort & Casino apart from its competitors?
A lot of the casinos in Edmonton are commercial while River Cree makes sure to reflect the local First Nations community. First Nations tend to be on the smaller side but River Cree Resort & Casino is a blend of both First Nations authenticity and uniqueness with a huge number of games to play.
River Cree Casino Pros and Cons
Pros
- 24/7 slot machine gaming with progressive networks
- Long table gaming hours ending at 3 AM
- Several buffet options available each weekend
- Dedicated smoking room with over 400 slots
Cons
- Hotel can be a little bit expensive
- 30-minute drive from downtown Edmonton
Should You Gamble at River Cree Resort & Casino?
River Cree Resort & Casino just about covers every base. You’ve got thousands of slots, a separate section for smokers, a great deal of table games, regular poker tournaments, and numerous dining options. Casual and serious players should feel right at home.
The hotel is a little pricey and the casino is located around 30 minutes outside downtown Edmonton, so it might not always be the easiest casino to head to for a night out. We do think it is well worth the trip out though.