Recent visit: CASINO RAMA, Orillia, Ontario

[Jasminebed]

This is the casino where the 8.9 Million was hit Easter Weekend. I was there on comp'ed room for two nights, and was to have seen Aretha Franklin (comp'ed), but unfortunately she had cancelled. Rama called me the day before to inform me of this, and asked if there was another show they could offer me. There wasn't anything I could get free rooms for, so I decided to go up anyway.

I go regularly by bus for day trips, and Rama is by far my favourite. They are very generous with show tickets, and the 5000 seat auditorium has great sound and excellent video screens. I've seen Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band, the Smothers Brothers, Barenaked Ladies, James Taylor and others. Every player gets a newsletter with meal coupons and ticket offers every month. I usually take $100 bucks with me every three to four weeks, but I usually give back anything I win, but this earns me tons of comps.

The hotel is georgeous. All the staff is unionized, and these are good jobs in a small town. It is Ontario's only native owned casino, and the staff are terrific. The food is good, but I must admit I was somewhat disappointed with the Chinese Buffet on the Saturday.

My luck at the slots was minor at best, losing my whole bankroll of $800 over the three days I was there, and I only cashed out $20 in cashback, so that means about $2200 in bets, and I mostly play low denom's. But the hotel pool is the nicest indoor pool I've been in, and I am told that they have a very good spa by women I have talked with the the hot tub. I've seen their price lists, and they do not seem to be out of line.

It's about 1.5 hrs north of Toronto and worth visiting if you are anywhere in the neighbourhood.