Montreal Casino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montreal Casino |
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The main building of the casino (2011).
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 Location of the Casino de Montréal
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| Address | 1, avenue du Casino Montreal, Quebec H3C 4W7 |
| Opening date | October 9, 1993 |
| Owner | Société des casinos du Québec |
| Architect | Jean Faugeron |
| Coordinates | 45°30′19.7″N 73°31′33.5″W / 45.505472°N 73.525972°W |
The Montreal Casino (which is Casino de Montréal in French) is a very large building in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It's located on Notre Dame Island, which is part of the city. This special building opened its doors on October 9, 1993. It's open all day, every day, but only adults aged 18 and older can go inside. It's actually the biggest casino in all of Canada!
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A Look at the Casino's Past
In 1992, the government of Quebec decided to create a company called the Société des casinos du Québec (SCQ). Their job was to build casinos in the province. The Montreal Casino was the very first one built for this project. It cost about $95 million to create.
Before the casino, this spot was home to the Palais des civilisations. This building used to show off cultural exhibits from around the world. It was also the French pavilion during Expo 67, a big world's fair held in Montreal.
When the casino first opened, thousands of people visited in just a few weeks. In its first year, about 780,000 people came to see it! The casino had its first big update in 1993 and another one in 2013. When it first opened, about 700 people worked there. By 2019, that number grew to 2,800 employees.
What Makes the Casino Special?
The Montreal Casino is made up of three buildings connected together. Two of these buildings, the France Pavilion and the Québec Pavilion, were originally built for Expo 67. The third building is a newer part added by the casino. A covered bridge connects this new part to the old Quebec Pavilion.
The main building has six floors, plus the newer part and another building with four floors. The casino has a huge area for games, about 526,000 square feet! Inside these buildings, there are over 3,200 slot machines and more than 115 gaming tables. There are also areas for Keno and many virtual games.
The casino also has four restaurants and three bars. There's even a cabaret for shows and places for meetings and parties. What's interesting is that the casino has many windows and low ceilings. This is a bit unusual for buildings like this. Since July 2003, it has been a non-smoking building. Special smoking lounges were closed in May 2006 because of a new law.
Getting to the Casino
The Montreal Casino is located in Jean-Drapeau Park, right across from Montreal’s Old Port. There are several easy ways to get there. You can go by car, use public transportation, or even take a special shuttle bus.
Shuttle Bus Service
If you are traveling with a group, a taxi can be a good way to get there. However, there is also a free shuttle bus! This shuttle leaves from several places in the city:
- Centre Infotouriste
- 1001, Square Dorchester (you can board between Peel and Metcalfe streets)
- 900, Boul. René-Lévesque Ouest, Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth (board on Mansfield street)
- 201, Av. Viger Ouest, Palais des congrès (board at the corner of Viger and Côté)
- 77, Rue University, Delta Centre-Ville (board on Saint-Jacques street)
The shuttle buses run from 12:40 PM until 10:40 PM.
Metro and Walking
You can also reach the casino using Montreal's metro system. First, take the metro to Berri/UQAM Station. This is a main transfer point. From there, switch to the Yellow line. Go one stop further to Parc Jean-Drapeau. This stop is very close to the casino.
Right in front of the metro station, there's a shuttle bus that goes to the casino. You can use your metro ticket to transfer to this bus. If you prefer to walk, it's about a 20-minute walk from the metro station to the casino. The casino is on Notre Dame Island, but there's a pedestrian bridge connecting it to Sainte-Hélène Island, which is near the metro station and the Biosphere.
If you drive, parking at the casino is free. They also offer valet services, where someone parks your car for you.
Modern Updates and Fun Zones
The Montreal Casino has had some cool updates to make it even more exciting.
The Casino of the Future
In 2013, the company Loto-Québec worked with a design studio called Moment Factory. They wanted to make the gaming areas of the casino look new and modern. They added a huge digital wall that stretches across three floors!
The Zone
In December 2014, the Montreal Casino opened a new area called The Zone. This area is designed for groups to play games together. It's a great place to learn how to play popular table games. These include games like blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette. The bets in this area are among the lowest in the casino, making it a good place to learn.
Games You Might Find
The casino offers many different types of table games. Some of these include:
- Blackjack
- Baccarat
- Roulette
- Caribbean Stud Poker
- Pai Gow Poker
- Three card poker
- Craps
- Sic Bo
- Texas hold 'em poker
Places to Eat and Drink
The Montreal Casino has several places where visitors can grab a bite or a drink.
Restaurants
- Le Montréal: This restaurant serves fancy Quebecois food.
- Pavillon 67: This is a buffet-style restaurant.
- Ajia: Here you can find Asian food.
- L'Instant: This is a place for quick meals.
- L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon: This is a very high-end dining experience.
Bars
- Valet de carreau
- Dame de cœur et Roi de pique
- Bar Poker
Who Owns the Casino?
The Montreal Casino is owned and run by the Société des casinos du Québec. This company also owns three other casinos in Quebec. The société is actually part of Loto-Québec, which is a public company owned by the Government of Quebec. This means that all the money the casino makes goes to the provincial government.
Fun Events and Shows
The Montreal Casino hosts many different events and shows throughout the year. You can find band performances, dance events, and comedy shows. Many of these events are free for visitors, while others require tickets.
Every year, the casino holds a big New Year's party. This party lasts from the afternoon all the way until the next morning! The casino invites DJs and musicians to play music. They also have a giant screen that shows the New Year's Eve countdown. The casino often prepares gift packages and prizes for guests. There's a wide variety of food, from brunch to buffet and special dinner menus. It's a good idea to wear nice clothes and comfortable shoes if you plan to attend.
Images for kids
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The main building of the casino (2011).
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The Montreal Casino building
See also
In Spanish: Casino de Montreal para niños
