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Casino Rama is 12 Kilometers east of Orillia, Ontario near Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, 90 minutes north of Toronto via Highway 400 north, 11 north and 12 south. Make a left turn onto Rama Road.
Casino Rama -- The First Nations Casino
One of the most distinguishing features of Casino Rama is the Art Wall which graces the outside walls of the Casino building. This spectacular display which covers approximately 37,000 square-feet greets every guest visiting Casino Rama. The one million dollar "Art Wall" consists of a series of seven wampum belts and the seven clams of the Chippewa Nation.
The wampum belt was a means of recording agreements and significant events.
The traditional Ojibway consists of seven clans that all share equal ranking. Each of the seven clans have specific duties and must work harmoniously for the community to survive. Every member of the Chippewas of Mnjikaning First Nation is a descendant of one of these clans.
The seven clans of the Chippewa are the Fish, Crane, Loon, Bear, Martin, Bird, and Deer. The dominant gift of the fish clan is that of a philosopher/priest, the Crane clan deals with matters beyond the border of the community, the Loon clan deals with matters internal to the community, the Bear clan deals with matters of justice, the Martin clan is the protector of the community as a warrior, the Bird clan represents creativity, and the Deer clan is a healer.
All artists who created the Art Wall are members of the Chippewas of Mnjikaning First Nation. The artists are Melvin Benson, Tim Stinson, Sandy Benson, Brent Noganosh, Marie St. Germain, Duane Sharpe, Ray Sharpe, Chris Valliere and Faron Snache with James Sutherland working as coordinator.
The Art Wall is the largest art project ever seen in the region and will continue to set Casino Rama apart from any other gaming facility as the premier Casino of the century.
The Circle of Nature is the centre piece for Casino Rama, which hangs above the gaming floor and provides visitors with spectacular images from every direction. The art etched in glass panels depict the animals of the clans and sub-clans of the Chippewa Nation. The following is a list of the animals appearing on the panels:
Turtle Fish Bear Loon Crow & Haven Marten Wolf -- Fish Bear Crane Thunderbird Porcupine Deer -- Turtle Polar Bear Crane Loon Spirit of the Fish Weirs Raccoon Moose
These panels are lit from both the top and bottom by specially encased fiber optic light. Just above and within the Circle of Nature you will see a dream catcher.
The Dream Catcher, as its name suggests, is used to catch dreams. A dream catcher is made with a hoop for strength. The centre of a dream catcher is woven in a web-like fashion.
It is believed that at night there are good dreams and bad dreams. The good dreams pass through the dream catcher untouched. The bad dreams are helplessly caught in the web and do not reach the person sleeping.
As the first light of the new day hits the web, the morning light eliminates all the bad dreams caught in the dream catcher.
Above the employee entrance on the north wall of the Casino is a Medicine Wheel.
The medicine wheel is an important symbol in the Aboriginal culture. The circle represents the never ending cycle of life that all living things follow.
The four spokes in the middle represent the four directions, the four colours of man and the four distinct parts of man -- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
The medicine wheel reminds us that we must ensure a balance in life and that there are other people or other parts of ourselves which must be considered.
Casino Rama is a 195,000 sq. - foot complex. One of the largest casinos in Canada with 65,000 square-feet of gaming space on one level, open 24-hours a day, year round. Patrons must be 19 years of age or older. Souvenirs and native gifts are available in the Biindigen Gift Shop. A number of merchants in the Orillia area and surrounding towns offer discounts of 5% to 25% to Casino Rama Players Card members -- average is 10%. Over 300 merchants are enrolled in the program. Before renting a room or making a purchase ask if their offering a "Casino Rama Players Card" discount. Photo -- right front of casino.
Besides valet parking, self-parking is available for 2,500 cars. Don't want to drive there? No problem. Casino Rama has their own shuttle buses that will pick you up and return you to your hotel -- FREE of charge. Casino Rama has over 50 tour buses a day bringing in guest. A separate parking area is available for tour buses, RVs. During the winter months the Casino snowmobile trail will lead you to their specially designed snow mobile parking lot located right on the premises. Group bookings and tour bus bookings only -- dial (705) 329-5228.
Casino Rama 's 75,000-square-foot casino has 2,300 slot machines from five-cents to $100 denominations and 110 gaming tables with Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat, a Big Six Wheel, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride, Pai Gow poker and Roulette.
Live entertainment is offered nightly in the Silver Nightingale Lounge. Top name stage entertainment at Casino Rama has included Aretha Franklin, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Julio Iglesias, and Wayne Newton. Every show was sold out. Tickets were available at Casino Rama and Ticket Masters, (416) 870-8000.
Restaurants in the casino: the Couchiching Court with an all-you-can-eat buffet; Traditions Grill House, Canadian cuisine; The Willow, Cantonese dining; and the Noodle Bar.
Robert B. Sturges, President of the Gaming Division announced July 16, 1998, that Casino Rama would be adding a hotel and entertainment centre to the complex. No completion date was given.
Casino Rama grossed $414.1 million during fiscal 1999/2000 and attracted 4,079,613 guest during the same period. Casino Rama averaged $103.52 million per quarter, $1.134 million per day, and attracted an average of 1,019,903 guest per quarter, 2,794 guest per day.
