Canada's first casinos

Introductory: When and why casinos became legal

The modern era of Canadian gambling began with amendments to the Criminal Code: in 1969, the provinces were allowed to conduct regulated lotteries and other forms of legal games, and in 1985 they consolidated their leading role in regulating gambling. This paved the way for the first permanent casinos operated by provincial corporations.

Very first: Diamond Tooth Gertie's (Dawson City, Yukon)

Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall opened in 1971 as a historic "klondike saloon" -casino and is considered Canada's first casino. It was created by the Klondike Tourist Association; today, the site remains the hallmark of Doson City and the oldest operating casino in the country.

Why it matters. Gertie's anticipated the "great legalization": before the advent of provincial casinos, it showed that the format could be cultural and tourist, and not just "gaming."

First permanent provincial casino: Crystal Casino (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

In the late 1980s, Manitoba opened Crystal Casino at the Fort Garry Hotel (Winnipeg). Provincial chronology indicates 1989 as the start of the first year-round permanent casino operation in Canada; other sources record an official opening in 1990. The casino was managed by the Manitoba Lottery Foundation and became the prototype of the Crown model for further projects.

What happened next. In 1993, Crystal's functions were partially transferred to the new sites of McPhillips Street Station and Club Regent (today Regent), and the casino itself was closed by the end of the decade.

Quebec enters the game: Casino de Montréal (1993)

Casino de Montréal opened on October 9, 1993 in the Expo-67 pavilions on Notre Dame Island and quickly became the country's largest casino. The project cemented Loto-Québec's role in managing the province's casino sector and showed how cultural heritage (expo pavilions) can be integrated into a modern entertainment complex.

First Ontario Casino: Casino Windsor → Caesars Windsor (1994)

Casino Windsor became Ontario's first casino, with a temporary venue opening in May 1994 on the Detroit River waterfront and a permanent resort on July 29, 1998 (Caesars Windsor since 2008). Early success was measured by millions of visits, including US guests, and laid the groundwork for a further network of Ontarian projects under OLG.

Short chronology of the "first"

1971 - Diamond Tooth Gertie's (Yukon): Canada's first casino; historical format "saloon & show."

1989/1990 - Crystal Casino (Manitoba): the first year-round provincial (Crown) casino operation; starting at the Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg.

1993 - Casino de Montréal (Quebec): the opening of the country's largest casino in the pavilions of Expo-67.

1994 - Casino Windsor, Ontario: Ontario's first casino (temporary venue), 1998 - permanent resort; later, Caesars Windsor.

What was behind the "first wave"

1. Legal framework: the 1969/1985 amendments unloaded the federal level and transferred levers to the provinces - this is how the provincial model appeared.

2. Economy and tourism: early projects (Montreal, Windsor) were built as entertainment resorts with restaurants, halls and shows - this increased not only GGR, but also visits/overnight stays.

3. Urban regeneration: the use of ready-made infrastructure (Expo-67 pavilions), revitalization of embankments and centers.

The legacy of the "first" today

Gertie's (Yukon) remains a cult attraction and the "oldest casino in Canada," woven into the local economy of Doson City.

Montreal Casino holds the status of the largest and symbol of the provincial Loto-Québec model.

Windsor has become an international resort brand (Caesars) with a major concert arena and tourist flow from the USA.

Manitoba transferred the Crystal experience to the modern McPhillips/Regent sites - an example of evolution from a "pilot" to a stable network.

FAQ

Which casino is considered a "first in Canada"?

Historically, Diamond Tooth Gertie's (1971, Yukon) as the earliest and now oldest casino. If we talk about the first year-round provincial operation under the crown model - Crystal Casino (1989/1990, Manitoba).

When did the "era of big casinos" begin?

From 1993-1994: Casino de Montréal and Casino Windsor set the format for major resorts and guest streams from neighboring regions/the United States.

Why do Crystal's dates diverge?

The provincial timeline indicates the "first year-round operation" in 1989, while a number of sources record the official opening in 1990. In any case, the project is the first permanent provincial casino in the country.

The history of the first casinos in Canada is the path from a local tourism initiative in the Yukon (1971) to the provincial resorts of the 1990s. Legal changes 1969/1985 transferred the steering to the provinces, which allowed the launch of Crystal Casino (Manitoba), Casino de Montréal and Casino Windsor - projects that determined the modern map of the country's casino industry.