We explored the rich history of Casino Rama in Canada with the help of our team of casino pundits to highlight key events and milestones over the years. The casino has hosted incredible performances by famous artists, gambling tournaments, fight events, and cultural happenings—truly, it has witnessed it all. Join us as we explore how the events that took place within the walls of the casino have shaped it into what it is today.
Casino Rama Brief Review
Casino Rama is located on Rama Rd, Rama, Ontario, and spans 1.5 km in width and 11.2 km in length. The impressive size of the all-suite casino hotel is a testament to the wide variety of services available and the large number of employees who work there — more than 2,700, to be precise. Much of what the casino is today can be attributed to Harry Oshanski, who took on the role of CEO in 2000.
| Industry | Casino & Entertainment |
| Founded | July 31, 1996 |
| Founder | Chippewas of Rama First Nation & Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation |
| Country | Canada |
| Headquarters | Rama, ON L0K 1T0, CA |
| CEO | Harry Oshanski |
| Number of employees | 2,700+ |
When Was Casino Rama Built?
The casino’s construction began in 1995 as a joint project between the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Both parties had a goal to create an entertainment and gaming venue on the Chippewas’ reserve land in Rama, Ontario and boost the local economy. As a matter of fact, developing the casino into what it is now was part of a nationwide initiative to compensate the First Nation community and create tourism opportunities. When Casino Rama was built, the massive gambling and event space took a central place in the construction process.
When Was Casino Rama Opened?
The official date when Casino Rama opened was July 31, 1996 – more than a year after the construction started. Local news reports highlighted the immediate success of the casino by showing the huge queues of people lined up to enter. In August of the same year, GO trains making a round trip from Union Station to Rama began operation. The trip only cost $30 but was quickly discontinued. Everything was in place for Casino Rama of Canada to be one of the most popular gambling venues ever created. The debut of the casino was celebrated with large-scale parties, while the introduction of new gambling options was highly anticipated.
Casino Rama History
Our research team laid out the most memorable dates in the history of the casino – from the moment it opened doors to recent times. We’ve summed up more than 20 years of operation in ten big events:
- 1996: Casino Rama opened doors for visitors on July 31 as a partnership between the Ontario government and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. At first, the casino consisted of just a small gaming floor with slot machines and some table games.
- 1999: A few years after the opening, Casino Rama added a hotel and expanded its gambling floor in order to have more space for additional slot machines and tables.
- 2000: The Rama Concert Hall opens, adding more entertainment value to the casino with regular live performances from guest artists.
- 2005: Casino Rama undergoes another major expansion. The undertaking added more gambling options and amenities, making Casino Rama one of Ontario’s biggest attractions.
- 2007: Some casino employees and connected individuals are arrested under suspicion of involvement in a $2 million baccarat cheating scam.
- 2010: Gateway Casinos & Entertainment takes over the operations of Casino Rama. This came as a privatization effort by the Ontario government.
- 2013: Casino Rama is undergoing another multi-million dollar renovation as part of a plan to modernize the facilities and add more dining and entertainment options.
- 2016: The casino’s internal computer system is compromised in a cyberattack. As a result, customers’ and staff’s sensitive financial information is leaked.
- 2020: The casino was closed temporarily on March 16, 2020, due to COVID-19 regulations.
- 2021: On July 19, 2021, Casino Rama opened doors for visitors once again after the pandemic restrictions had been loosen.
Historical Events
Casino Rama is widely recognized not only as a gaming venue but also as an entertainment centre. As such, it has hosted many famous musicians and memorable performances. Also, occasionally, the casino turns into an arena of heated MMA and boxing battles. These are some of the notable events that took place there:
- Rumble at Rama (Boxing Events): A piece of Casino Rama’s history is the several high-profile boxing events hosted under the “Rumble at Rama” series. They served a great deal to establish the casino as a notable venue for combat sports events.
- First sanctioned MMA event in Ontario (April 2, 2011): Taking place four weeks before UFC 129 in Toronto, it was the first sanctioned MMA event in Ontario. The battle was held exclusively at the arena of Casino Rama Resort.
- Bellator Fighting Championships: In July 2011, a Bellator Fighting Championship featuring some of the promotion’s best fighters was held at the casino. This put Casino Rama Resort on the map of televised MMA.
- Popular singers’ shows: The legendary jazz singer Tony Bennett and country music star Dolly Parton performed on the stage of Casino Rama.
- Lionel Richie’s concert: Lionel Richie – famous for his R&B and pop hits “All Night Long” and “Hello” – is another big name who was on the entertainment programme of Casino Rama.
- Avril Lavigne’s show: Canadian singer Avril Lavigne has also performed on stage at Casino Rama.
Summary
As excited casino fans, we appreciate the importance of Casino Rama’s history. In this article, the SiteName analysts covered its most important milestones, from being one of the most popular Canadian casinos to becoming a centre for artistic performances and combat events. In conclusion, we can say that the casino successfully operates in two fields – entertainment and real money gambling – serving as an attraction for fans of both activities. This makes Casino Rama Resort one of the most popular destinations in Ontario and an integral part of Canadian gambling history.
FAQ
How Much Are Rooms at Casino Rama Now?
The prices range between C$150 to C$300 for a standard room. The prices could be different depending on the season, room type, and availability.
Who Owns Casino Rama?
Casino Rama is owned by partners Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). The casino’s operation and website are managed by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited.
How Old Is Casino Rama?
Launched in 1996, the casino will have its 19th birthday on July 31, 2025.
Is Casino Rama Closed?
No, the casino is open at the time of writing. The only time it was closed was between early 2020 and July 19, 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions.