Updated by Ziv Chen
Writer
Fact Checked by Michael Graham
Content Editor
The good news for gamblers in Alberta is that, unlike places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City where you have to be 21, you can gamble legally when you're 18.
However, some casinos might still insist on a 21 minimum age to enter casinos and join rewards clubs, so make sure you know the situation before you plan a trip.
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Calgary's casino market is one of the most varied in western Canada, with six venues spread across the city operated by a mix of national chains, a publicly traded gaming company, a First Nations corporation and independent private operators.
The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede is the charitable organisation behind Cowboys Casino, one of Calgary's most recognisable gaming venues. Located steps from the Scotiabank Saddledome in the city's entertainment district, Cowboys Casino reflects the Stampede's Western heritage and community roots.
Tsuut'ina Gaming Ltd operates Grey Eagle Resort and Casino on Tsuut'ina Nation land on the western edge of Calgary. Grey Eagle is the only First Nations casino in Calgary and the only venue in the city where smoking is permitted on the casino floor, a right tied to its location on First Nations territory.
One of Alberta's largest gaming operators, PURE Canadian Gaming operates multiple properties across the province including Pure Casino Calgary. The company focuses on full-service community casino experiences with an emphasis on dining and player rewards.
A publicly traded Alberta gaming company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Gamehost Inc. owns and operates Deerfoot Inn and Casino alongside other properties in Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie. Gamehost acquired full ownership of Deerfoot in 2022.
ACE Gaming operates two Calgary properties — ACE Casino Blackfoot on the Blackfoot Trail and ACE Casino Airport adjacent to Calgary International Airport. The company positions its venues as premium gaming destinations within Alberta's charitable casino framework.
Elbow River Casino is independently owned and operated, functioning within Alberta's charitable gaming model. Located in downtown Calgary near the Stampede grounds, it is one of the city's longest-established casino venues.
Calgary has seven licensed casino venues spread across the city, ranging from a downtown entertainment complex rooted in the city's Western heritage to a full-service resort on First Nations land and an airport casino serving travellers passing through Calgary International. All venues operate within Alberta's charitable gaming model under AGLC oversight.
Located in the heart of Calgary's entertainment district at 421 12th Avenue SE, Cowboys Casino sits steps from the Scotiabank Saddledome and the annual Calgary Stampede grounds. The 96,000-square-foot venue houses over 370 slot machines and 30 live table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and Ultimate Texas Hold'em, alongside a dedicated 12-table poker room open 24 hours a day. A high-limit room offers elevated stakes for slots and table games in a quieter setting away from the main floor.
The casino shares its building with Cowboys Dance Hall, one of Calgary's busiest nightclubs and a fixture of the city's entertainment scene during Stampede season. Four food and beverage venues operate on site including the Centre Bar and Eatery, Melrose Food and Drink and Hitman's Bar.
Situated on Tsuut'ina Nation land on the western edge of Calgary, Grey Eagle Resort and Casino is the city's only First Nations casino and the only venue in Calgary where smoking is permitted on the gaming floor. The 84,000-square-foot gaming floor houses over 900 slot machines and 37 live table games, along with a six-table poker room and a not-for-profit bingo hall. Its location on reserve land gives Grey Eagle a distinct legal status that sets it apart from every other casino in the city.
The property is a full-service resort, with an on-site hotel offering a range of packages, an indoor pool, outdoor hot tub and 24-hour fitness suite. The Grey Eagle Event Centre is one of Calgary's most active concert venues, regularly hosting major touring acts. Nightly buffets are a popular draw, with a different cuisine featured each day of the week.
Elbow River Casino is an independently owned venue located in downtown Calgary at the intersection of 17th Avenue South and MacLeod Trail, a short walk from the Calgary Stampede grounds. The 80,000-square-foot gaming floor offers over 600 slot machines, 35 live table games and a dedicated poker room open Thursday to Saturday around the clock and Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 3am.
The casino includes an off-track betting facility, one of only two OTB venues in Calgary, showing races from tracks around the world from the Sammy's Sports Bar. Live music is a regular feature at the Bayou Stage every weekend, and Jester's Buffet serves a range of dining options throughout the week.
Located close to downtown Calgary, Pure Casino is operated by PURE Canadian Gaming and offers a well-appointed mid-size gaming experience across 52,000 square feet. The floor houses over 850 slot machines and more than 30 live table games, making it one of the most slot-dense casinos in the city relative to its floor size. A Replay Arena provides an immersive electronic table gaming zone exclusive to Alberta.
There is no on-site hotel, but the casino is under ten minutes from the downtown core. Pure Casino is known for its value dining, with a popular daily breakfast special and regular dinner promotions from Thursday to Sunday. The poker room operates around the clock with no caps on bet limits, a notable distinction among Calgary's casinos.
Owned and operated by Gamehost Inc., a publicly traded Alberta gaming company, Deerfoot Inn and Casino is a full-service resort complex located in south Calgary off Deerfoot Trail. The 60,000-square-foot casino floor houses 805 slot machines, 28 live table games including a separate 11-table high-limit room, a nine-table poker room and 24 video lottery terminals.
The adjoining Deerfoot Inn provides 188 guest rooms alongside an indoor waterpark, fitness centre and over 17,000 square feet of convention space. Four food and beverage outlets are on site, and the Chrome Showroom is an active live entertainment venue hosting concerts and events throughout the year. The property is one of the few Calgary casinos to open its parking lot to RVers during Stampede season.
Positioned adjacent to Calgary International Airport, ACE Casino Airport is the only airport casino in Calgary and markets itself as the city's premium gaming destination. The 72,000-square-foot facility houses over 600 slot machines, 38 table games and poker tables, and a 24-hour poker room with 12 tables hosting twice-daily tournaments plus a Sunday lunchtime tournament. Alberta's only private electronic table lounge operates on site.
The casino features upscale restaurants with fine dining alongside budget-friendly buffet options, and the venue's proximity to the airport makes it a popular stop for travellers as well as local players.
Located on the Blackfoot Trail in southeast Calgary, ACE Casino Blackfoot is one of Alberta's longest-running casino venues, recently rebranded from Cash Casino Calgary following a full refurbishment that added a high-limit slot area, a new table game section and an updated kitchen. The 48,000-square-foot gaming floor offers over 600 slot machines including a 29-machine VIP high-limit room, along with 20+ live table games covering blackjack, roulette, craps, EZ baccarat and Pai Gow tiles.
The casino is notable for its poker progressives, with Chase the Flush, Ultimate Texas Hold'em and 777 Blazing Blackjack jackpots running alongside standard Bad Beat progressives. The 888 Slot Room offers a dedicated area of Asian-themed penny games.
| Casino | Floor | Slots | Tables | Poker | Hotel | Smoking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys Casino | 96K sq ft | 370+ | 30 | Yes | No | No |
| Grey Eagle Resort and Casino | 84K sq ft | 900+ | 37 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Elbow River Casino | 80K sq ft | 600+ | 35 | Yes | No | No |
| ACE Casino Airport | 72K sq ft | 600+ | 38 | Yes | No | No |
| Deerfoot Inn and Casino | 60K sq ft | 805 | 28 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pure Casino Calgary | 52K sq ft | 850+ | 30+ | Yes | No | No |
| ACE Casino Blackfoot | 48K sq ft | 600+ | 20+ | Yes | No | No |
Gambling should be treated as entertainment, not a way to make money. If you feel your gambling is becoming difficult to control, free and confidential support is available.
In Alberta, contact the Alberta Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. GameSense information centres are located inside every licensed casino in Calgary and provide on-site support and information about responsible gambling.
Set a budget before you play, only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and avoid chasing losses. All licensed Calgary casinos offer self-exclusion through the AGLC's voluntary self-exclusion programme, which allows players to restrict access to gaming facilities across the province.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Gambling laws, regulations, and casino details in Calgary may change over time.
For official and up-to-date information, refer to the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). Always ensure you meet the legal age requirements before participating in any gambling activity.
Important: The legal gambling age in Alberta is 18 years old for all regulated gaming activities, including casinos, sports betting and lottery. Some individual establishments may have their own admission policies, so check directly before you travel.
Ziv Chen has been working in the online gambling industry for over two decades in senior marketing and business development roles. Ziv writes about a wide range of topics including slot and table games, casino and sportsbook reviews, American sports news, betting odds and game predictions. Leading a life full of conflict, Ziv constantly struggles between his two greatest loves: American football and US soccer.
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