Century Downs Racetrack & Casino in Alberta
Casino Details
- 260 Century Downs Dr, Rocky View County, AB T4A 0V5, Canada
- Sunday–Thursday 09:30–03:00
- Friday–Saturday 09:30–04:00
- +1-587-349-7777
Ukranian platter which only has perogies and sausages with very hard skin, my jaw hurts to be honest. I'm really disappointed and not gonna go back there anymore. I can buy my own perogies and choose good quality of sausages to eat at home. We really2 disappointed. This special is LAZY. Put more effort, you are a casino restaurant!
Staff include mostly mature old ages and some of them are too rude to be dealt with bit some staff is very polite, nice and helpful to you.
Most importantly they offers free drinks and coffee for the guests using their own movable carts , that is very impressive.
Mostly 8/10 Security guys are extremely nice and friendly ..
They are open from 9:00a.m until 3:00a.m except on Saturday night an hour extra to enjoy the weekend..
Highly recommended
Article summary
- About Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Alberta
- Reaching the Venue from Across Alberta
- Accessing the Gaming Floor
- Placing Wagers at the Off-Track Betting Lounge
- Live Horse Racing Schedule in 2026
- Enrolling in the Winner's Edge Loyalty Program
- Dining and Food Promotions
- Funding Play and On-Site Payments
- Responsible Gambling and Guest Support
About Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Alberta
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino operates in Balzac, within Rocky View County, immediately north of Calgary’s in Balzac (Rocky View County) city limits in Alberta, Canada. The property opened on April 1, 2015, and ran its first Standardbred race on April 25, 2015, restoring live harness racing to the Balzac (Rocky View County) area after a seven-year gap. The complex covers roughly 103 acres and combines a 1.1-kilometre (5.5-furlong) racing oval with a gaming floor of approximately 25,000 square feet. All wagering and purchases are processed in Canadian Dollars (CAD), and property hours follow Mountain Time (MT). Operations fall under the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), with pari-mutuel systems and certified random number generators subject to regular auditing.
Detail | Information |
Established | April 1, 2015 |
Location | Balzac, Rocky View County, Alberta |
Regulator | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) |
Currency | Canadian Dollars (CAD) |
Racing oval | 1.1 km / 5.5 furlongs (Standardbred) |
Time zone | Mountain Time (MT) |
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Reaching the Venue from Across Alberta
Travel Directions
Century Downs sits about five minutes off Highway 2 (the Queen Elizabeth II Highway), placing it within driving range of both Balzac (Rocky View County) and Edmonton traffic. The site is roughly 20 minutes north of downtown Calgary in Balzac (Rocky View County) and approximately nine kilometres from Calgary International Airport (YYC). Visitors travelling by car can use the CrossIron Mills mall as a nearby landmark, since the racetrack lies just beside that retail centre. Admission to live racing is free for all ages.
Accessing the Gaming Floor
The gaming floor handles high visitor volume through wide aisles, defined zones, and clear sightlines between slots, terminals, dining areas, and racing facilities. Floor staff remain visible during property hours to assist with machine operation, payouts, and directions.
Slots and VLTs
The floor holds over 600 slot machines, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and electronic gaming tables, with denominations ranging from penny slots to $5 spins. Players seeking larger payouts can track jackpot values on the Alberta-wide progressive units, which update in real time on the machine displays.
Available formats include:
- Classic reel slots with traditional three-reel gameplay
- Video slots featuring multi-line bonus rounds
- Stand-alone progressive machines
- Alberta-wide progressive jackpots with live-updating values
- 4D gaming machines built for interactive, adventure-style play
To start, a player inserts cash or a validated ticket, selects a denomination and line count, then presses spin or cash-out to print a redeemable ticket. VLT play is concentrated in the Off-Track Betting (OTB) lounge, letting guests alternate between race wagers and terminal games without leaving the area.
Electronic Roulette and Table Games
Century Downs uses automated equipment in place of live dealer tables. The fully electronic Roulette installation lets several participants place bets at individual stations at once, with results generated by the certified system rather than a croupier. Players touch the betting grid on the station screen, confirm the stake in CAD, and collect winnings as a printed voucher.
Placing Wagers at the Off-Track Betting Lounge
The OTB lounge simulcasts Standardbred and Thoroughbred cards from tracks worldwide, supported by both staffed teller windows and self-service AmTote terminals. Bettors can wager on live on-track races or simulcast events throughout property hours.
Betting Basics
Newcomers can attend the Betting Basics sessions held upstairs, which cover racing terminology, wagering procedure, exotic bets, multi-race wagers, and the venue-specific Jackpot High-5. To place a bet, a guest selects the track and race number, states the bet type and amount to a teller (or enters it on an AmTote machine), then keeps the printed ticket for payout if the wager wins. Staff are available on the floor to confirm bet construction before the race closes.
Live Horse Racing Schedule in 2026
Seasonal Racing Calendar
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino runs live racing from spring through fall across more than 60 race days. Standardbred harness racing returns Saturday, April 4, 2026, while Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing return Saturday, September 19, 2026. Post times vary by day, so attendees should confirm the daily card before arrival.
Race Day | Post Time (MT) |
Monday & Sunday | 1:15 PM |
Wednesday | 6:15 PM |
Saturday | 3:45 PM |
Other weekdays | 2:15 PM |
Spectators can watch from the outdoor apron (with direct access to the winner’s circle), the indoor gallery fitted with 80-inch HDTVs, or the Homestretch Room, which opens one hour before post time. Reservations are advised for peak race days, and children are welcome in both the outdoor sections and the Homestretch Room.
Enrolling in the Winner's Edge Loyalty Program
Winner’s Edge is Alberta’s first province-wide casino loyalty program, and membership is free. To enrol, a guest visits Guest Services or a self-serve kiosk, provides valid identification, and receives a membership card on the spot.
Membership delivers:
- Ballots for member-only Winner’s Edge prize draws
- Free-play promotions on the gaming floor
- Dining discounts at The Derby Restaurant
- Member food-and-beverage rates, including the $4.99 Breakfast and $12.99 Prime Rib
Once issued the card, members insert or tap it at slots and terminals to accumulate ballots and qualify for draws and birthday offers. The card integrates with gaming and dining transactions, so members should present it at restaurant checkouts to apply eligible discounts.
Dining and Food Promotions
Dining venues at Century Downs include The Derby Restaurant, The Oaks Lounge, and the Homestretch Room, with kitchen operations led by Chef Josef Schonauer. Menus cover breakfast, comfort dishes, BBQ ribs, prime rib, and monthly rotating features.
Item | Detail |
Breakfast | $4.99 (Winner’s Edge members) |
Prime Rib | $12.99 (member special) |
Rib Night | $9.99 (member special) |
Father’s Day BBQ Brunch | $60 adults / $35 children / under 5 free |
The casino occasionally offers special promotions for seasonal and holiday occasions, including Father’s Day. Reservations can be made directly with the venue, and the outdoor apron also features a food truck and drink station for trackside dining.
Funding Play and On-Site Payments
Because all activity takes place at the physical venue, funding occurs in person rather than through an online account. On-site ATMs allow immediate cash access for slot tickets, table vouchers, and race wagers.
Accepted on-site methods include:
- Cash in Canadian Dollars (CAD)
- Debit cards via Interac
- Visa and Mastercard
- On-site ATM withdrawals
Gift cards are available online for food, beverages, and merchandise, though provincial regulation prohibits their use for gambling. Players should retain printed tickets and vouchers, which are redeemed at cashier stations or compatible machines before leaving.
Responsible Gambling and Guest Support
Century Downs displays responsible gambling information across the floor, and security maintains a discreet presence during property hours. Climate control and plentiful seating support extended visits, and staff assist with gaming, racing, and dining in English. Guests can reach the venue by phone during property hours or request in-person help at Guest Services for membership, reservations, or wagering questions.