Grandstand Casino (Formerly Woodbine) — Attraction in Toronto

Once upon a time, I used to come here with my family to watch horse racing since there aren't any age restrictions for those who are just there to observe. However, it wasn't until several years ago when I started to come here more regularly as I went through my "blackjack addiction" phase and had my fair share of ups and downs lol. Fortunately, that phase went by just as quickly as it came (while I'm net positive! XD). The game is just too fun (partially because I kinda like to calculate stuff lol) despite me knowing full well that the house always has an edge/advantage over you no matter how good you are at the game, though blackjack has comparatively better odds than a lot of the other games. I would still play these days, but only if my money isn't on the line! XD

Nowadays, I mostly just observe whenever I come here and these are the things I noticed:

1. They recently underwent a significant renovation and the renovation is still in progress as it has yet to be complete. They now have indoor parking similar to the one at Pickering Casino and Fallsview Casino. They moved the table games to the new section on the ground floor and that section alone is more or less already the same size as the entire Pickering Casino. The new section has a lot of slot machines as well but if you still prefer to play in the old section, you can just cross back to the old side via the "tunnel" area. They added a lot of food stalls in the new section as well so food is readily accessible (in order to keep you there for as long as possible of course ;) lol)

2. Since there's only one cashier in the new section, it tends to get crowded easily so I would recommend going to the cashier in the old section for shorter wait times (though they of course want you to wait longer so you would hopefully give up on lining up and instead be tempted to go gamble some more lol XD).

3. The old section, in my opinion, is like a maze so a lot of the times, it's easy to get lost and disoriented in there but the new section seems to be a bit easier to navigate yourself around as it's a bit more organized. There's a washroom in pretty much every corner of the new section so they're easy to find.

4. The blackjack payout at the non-high stakes section is 6 to 5 instead of 3 to 2, so it's quite stingy I would say, especially when the table minimums are not even cheap (at least $25 to $50). I personally could care less as I don't even play anymore but just a heads up to those who do lol. However, the high stakes blackjack ($100 minimum) pays 3 to 2 for blackjack (a.k.a. they don't think you deserve a 3 to 2 payout unless you bet at least $100 a hand at a high stakes table lol. Some people bet $100+ at the non-high stakes tables with 6 to 5 payouts and it makes you scratch your head in confusion XD). Aside from that, I wonder why nobody has Canon Blackjack anymore these days though ¯(ツ)/¯ They do have free bet, Spanish, and regular blackjack though.

5. I don't have much to say about their Baccarat, High Card Flush, 3 Card Poker, etc. except for the fact that they have them there lol. Those are fun games too though not as fun as blackjack in my opinion lol.

However, I think it would be better if they could provide the Play Smart drinks (e.g. hot chocolate, mocha, espresso, etc.) for the whole day instead of closing it off at night as well as better tea like the ones in the Gatineau casino in the self-serve beverage section.

TL;DR - The casino recently underwent a renovation so it's now able to accommodate more table games and slots. Just remember that the house always has an edge/advantage over you in pretty much every game (how else would they make money right?), so bet wisely, play optimally and strategically, and don't gamble your...

That’s it I’m never going to this place again. I’ve witnessed the same machines in same area for almost 7 years since great Canadian took over woodbine and they never paid the same. I’ve played a machine where the mini jackpot has to go off before it hits 50 bucks. It was at 47 so decided to play. Only 60 cents minimum bet and sometimes 1.20. Would u Believe it costed me over the mini jackpot to get my bet back. That’s how much they get away with now. It’s been maybe 7 years now and I’ve witnessed Probly over 200 grand go in these penny Machines and I never seen a line hit of a hundred bucks once. Most I ever seen was 55 bucks and that was on max ages ago. These criminals that took over don’t even hide it anymore cause the governments involved. So just save your money. Not to mention they treat their customers with the worst respect. They do everything to make customers work harder just to get scammed in the end. For instance the entrance elders people have to walk a mile to get in. Then this establishment decides to close the smoking areas so if u wanna smoke u gotta walk a mile just to be hovering around a bunch of people. God forbid u go on weekends that smoking area is so clogged you’ll get claustrophobic. Not to mention breath other peoples air if their sick. Stay far away from this place. It’s not just about losing the money that will make u mad. It’s what these guys get away with that will make u lose your mind. If u want the proper respect and payouts like it used to be go to the states. They still have respect for there customers and they actually give u something for being a customer with real slot play rather than the garbage 5 bucks this piece of garbage place gives u which won’t last more than 20 seconds. This place is wrong in so many ways it just screams criminals. Anyways they did me a favour after I witnessed the Injustice machines on max nonstop playing nothing. I lost all reason and passion to play. They turned entertainment into torture. Stay far away from this place. It’s a disgrace and shows what our government is really all about. UPDATED AUG 3rd 2024…… My god can u believe the send u free slot play. Not only is it garbage amount but it’s not even free play. Whatever they give u u have to play the exact same amount first with your own money. My god these scammers already took every good thing away from this place. Like it’s fair to say there’s no benefits going to this corrupt place. I’m telling u not only this place should be closed but the people who run it should be in jail for life. I’m telling u people the payouts are absolutely garbage. There’s not one good thing to say about this place. If u want honesty then get the hell away from this place. U can go back and forth to atm and keep feeding the machines. In the end they never pay. Not to mention the atm chargers u 7 dollars to take any amount out. Think about it no one in this world would charge that much. Think about it your getting charged at record fraud 7 dollars just to use it on an already record breaking slot fraudulent paying machine. RUN!!! Run!!!!! RUN!!!!!!!! Go anywhere else in the states or other countries. Good bless u people. Don’t give these criminals...

If I could give zero stars I would!

Came all the way from Alberta to explore in and around the GTA and booked a stay at this hotel/casino on my last night before going back home. Approaching security, the female lady was very arrogant from the start, she asked for my ID rudely and scanned it in their machine. She then requested a second piece of government ID and I handed her my Alberta health card. She then stated she can’t accept it because it’s a piece of paper and doesn’t have my photo on it. I then told her that this is how the Alberta provincial government makes their health cards and that no other province has a picture on their health card except Ontario. She shrugged her shoulders and handed me back my ID’s saying Quebec is starting to make their health cards with pictures now, we can’t let you in. Frustrated, I asked her to call her supervisor out so I could speak with them. A few moments later, the general manager Liam ( employee number 613260) comes out looking high as a kite and without hearing a word from me says “ you can’t come inside”. I then tried telling him that these are my two government issued ID’s and he then said he needs two pieces of photo ID for me to come inside. Mind you I don’t have a passport as I cannot travel outside the country and I no longer have a student ID because I’m well into working in my real estate career. I explained that Alberta only has photo ID on their licence and nothing else. And to note the sign at the front just states that “ Acceptable government issued photo ID, including a secondary piece of ID is required upon entry” NOTHING stating two photo ID’s on the sign! He as well shrugged his shoulders and said I don’t know what you want me to do, we can’t let you in. Then my sister started advocating for me, telling him the same thing I was telling Liam. My sister was standing at the entrance and people were stilling coming into the casino, the manager told her in a rude tone to move so people could pass through but my sister stood her ground and said no, we’re customers too and you need to attend to us as well. Liam then went on to tell my sister “she’s so stupid” and “she has a lot of problems” which at that point we just left as that was very disrespectful and I wouldn’t be spending no money at a place me or my family are being disrespected, especially by someone who calls themselves a manager! Mind you, 6 days before this happened, I came to the casino with my sister to check out the place and had no issues getting inside. Really felt like getting a room at the hotel attached to the casino was a huge waste of money after this incident happened as I booked the hotel to go to the casino and it was close to the airport. Will forever remember how I was treated during my visit to this place and I will never be setting a foot into this place again, or recommending this place to anyone.

Worst part of my whole vacation! And Liam, shame on you for you and your employees unprofessional attitude...