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Canadian Casino Resorts

Rama (Orillia), Ontario · gaming floor 19+

Casino Rama Resort — full review

Last revision · fact check

Casino Rama, on Rama First Nation land near Orillia, is midway through its most significant upgrade in years — rooms redone from 2025, a fresh ground-floor spa, and three new restaurants including Gateway's Atlas Steak and Fish. The 5,000-plus-seat Entertainment Centre keeps headliners driving up the 400.

  • Rooms & views7.5
  • Casino floor8.5
  • Dining8.5
  • Shows & events10.0
  • Pool, spa & fitness8.0
  • Getting there6.0

Book it for: Concert road trips from the GTA and cottage-country weekends with a casino attached.
Pass if: You won't have a car — Rama is about two hours up from Toronto, by Orillia.

A refit in progress

Opened July 1996 on Rama First Nation land outside Orillia. Gateway Casinos, which runs it, announced a big upgrade in November 2024 in partnership with OLG and Rama First Nation — renovated rooms, a larger spa and gym, a refreshed casino and new restaurants. As of May 2025, rooms from level two up were being redone and the new spa on the ground floor had opened.

Rooms

289 in total. Gateway hasn't released a spec sheet for the redone rooms yet, so ask at booking which floors are complete — it's the difference between dated and new.

Spa and pool

Ground floor: the new spa, with saunas and steam rooms. Third floor: the pool, still in its old spot. A bigger fitness centre is part of the package.

Entertainment Centre

5,000-plus seats make it one of the country's biggest casino stages. Late-2026 announcements: Jesse Cook, the Righteous Brothers, Colin James, the Celtic Tenors. Recently announced tickets ran from about $25 to $89.

Gaming

Wikipedia's numbers: 192,000 sq ft, roughly 1,800 slots, 50 tables. Gateway doesn't publish its own, so take them as approximate. CTV reported in May 2025 that the floor had been refreshed with upgraded slots. Ontario: 19+.

Restaurants

November 2025 brought Atlas Steak and Fish at St. Germain's, Gateway's top steak-and-seafood brand in its Ontario debut, carrying the name of the late Rama First Nation chief George St. Germain. MATCH Eatery and Public House (May 2025) sits just inside the main rotunda; Chow Lucky Noodle Bar (fall 2024) serves wok dishes, soups and bowls. Plus a Tim Hortons.

Nearby

About two hours from Toronto up Highway 400. Close at hand: Couchiching Beach Park (sandy beach, gardens), the Leacock Museum National Historic Site, and Hardwood Ski and Bike in both seasons.

Our take

Ontario's lakes-and-a-concert weekend. Wait for a renovated floor, book Atlas for dinner, and catch a headliner — that's why most people drive up.

Traveller questions, answered

Is Casino Rama being renovated right now?

Yes. Announced in November 2024, the refurbishment covers hotel rooms, a new spa and gym, the gaming floor and new restaurants; pieces opened in 2024 and 2025.

How far is Casino Rama from Toronto?

Roughly two hours' drive north via Highway 400, near Orillia.

What is the capacity of Casino Rama's Entertainment Centre?

Over 5,000 seats.

Sources behind this review

Fact check: October 23, 2026, against the sources listed above. Rates, fees and hours move — confirm directly with the hotel before booking. Something out of date? Email us. Next: Casino Hotels in Ontario or the full ranking.