With the expansion of the River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, the western Canadian province of Alberta could soon become the country’s main land-based gambling destination.
Announced last year during its groundbreaking ceremony, the $200-million River Cree Resort & Casino expansion project, fully funded by the Enoch Cree Nation, involves constructing the following:
- 18-story tower with 240 rooms
- 38,000 square feet of additional event space, including an outdoor space a grand ballroom
- One-of-a-kind pool with two waterslides
- Canada’s first Top Golf location.
The new hotel is expected to open in 2027, but RC Golf & Games, Canada’s first Top Golf location, might be looking at an earlier launch date.
Nation Says It’s About Building Capacity in the Next Generations
Launched in October 2006, the River Cree Resort & Casino made history as the first First Nations-run casino. Located on Enoch Lands near Edmonton, the resort casino has been serving Alberta and surrounding provinces for nearly 20 years. It cost approximately $180 million to build the original, which includes a 9-story building, two hockey rinks, a 255-room hotel, a fitness centre, a restaurant, a sports bar, and a swimming pool.
The Enoch Cree Nation bought out Las Vegas-based Paragon Gaming Inc. to become the full owners of the resort in 2013. Since then, past and current leadership have been planning to expand the hotel and make it more family- and child-friendly.
Doubling its size, the River Cree Resort & Casino expansion project is likely to make Alberta’s other top brick-and-mortar casino destinations like Stoney Nakoda and Grey Eagle seem less impressive in comparison. But Enoch Cree Nation councilman says it’s not about outshining other casinos. Rather, it’s about building capacity for the future generations.
Commenting on the ground-breaking event last year, Enoch Cree Nation councilman John Thomas said:
“There have been engagements with our nation members about what they would like to see and also hearing from patrons on some of the things they feel can complement this place. We want people to come to our resort and stay here and it will be a destination place for families to come and visit for hundreds of years to come.”
Cody Thomas, Confederacy of Treaty 6 Chief, agrees and calls the day the Enoch Cree Nation broke ground for the expansion “a historic day for the nation.” He says the expansion would increase the standard of living within the region:
“There’s an opportunity for us to build capacity in our next generations to come, but provide sustainable resources for our nation as well. We always want to be the catalyst and create a template for other First Nations … If we can do it as well as uplifting one another, that’s the goal. Our brothers and sisters shouldn’t be left behind. As a nation, we’re always prospering in the direction of finding tangible solutions for all of us to mutually benefit.”
River Cree Resort & Casino CEO Vik Mahajan said:
“This expansion is going to mean a lot, not just for the community that will benefit from it as customers as well as economic benefits, but it will also be huge for the city of Edmonton area as well as the whole province. We want to be able to house everybody, bring them to Enoch, showcase our culture and show them luxury that they haven’t seen in the city.”
RC Golf Games & Experience To Go Live in 2027
Among the more noteworthy phases of the project is RC Golf Games & Experience, a two-story, climate-controlled golf venue. The space will include four interactive bays, 100+ arcade games, 10 VLTs, eight pool tables, a 75-seat full-service dining lounge, and other unique outdoor experiences.
Set to open its doors in 2027, this brand-new facility should attract families, tourists, and gamers from all over the Canadian western province and beyond. River Cree Resort officials say this addition is a huge step in turning the entire property into a family-friendly entertainment destination — not just a gambling spot. Once it’s done, RC Golf Games & Experience will put dozens of new jobs on the table for locals and give the Edmonton area a welcome shot in the arm of tourism dollars.
“This project represents our vision of blending recreation, culture, and hospitality into one destination,” said Mahajan. “We’re building something that everyone—from kids to adults—can enjoy, while also strengthening our local economy.”
Alberta’s iGaming Era Nears, River Cree Resort &Casino’s Toughest Test Yet
As Alberta gets ready to kick off its regulated iGaming market in the spring of 2026, land-based casinos like River Cree Resort & Casino are bracing for iGaming. With private operators soon offering online casino and sports betting, River Cree is facing a genuine digital rival it can’t ignore.
River Cree has long been at the top of its game as a hospitality and entertainment hub, but with online gaming taking off across Canada, the ease of use and sheer variety of games on offer have got people hooked. Slots, table games and live dealer action can be found in seconds with just the tap of a screen.
However, for the Enoch Cree Nation, who own and operate the resort, this change isn’t seen as a threat but an opportunity. They say the focus remains on delivering experiences that no online platform can match — live music, top-notch dining, cultural events and the upcoming golf games.
“We’re proud as punch of what we’ve built,” said Mahajan. “Online gaming will grow, but there’s no way to stream the buzz of live and in person, that’s just unique to River Cree.”
For Alberta, this marks a new chapter in the digital gambling age, and River Cree’s biggest challenge won’t just be about keeping up. Rather, it’ll be about redefining what entertainment means in a world where online and in-person blur.
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