Parq Vancouver Casino is a land-based casino resort at 39 Smithe Street in downtown Vancouver, operated under the authority of the BC Lottery Corporation. The property sits between BC Place Stadium and Rogers Arena, making it the anchor of Vancouver's entertainment district.
This is a physical casino regulated by British Columbia gambling laws, not an online platform or offshore site. The integrated resort combines 72,000 square feet of gaming space across two levels with the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and The Douglas hotels, multiple dining venues, event spaces, and a sixth-floor rooftop park.
The resort structure means casino visitors share the building with hotel guests, convention attendees, and restaurant patrons. Casino entry requires meeting British Columbia's age and identification requirements at the door, while the hotels, dining areas, and rooftop park have their own access policies.
Parq Vancouver opened at this Smithe Street location as a replacement for the former Edgewater Casino, bringing BC Lottery Corporation gaming operations into a purpose-built resort complex. The downtown waterfront position gives the property views toward False Creek and proximity to the city's major sports and entertainment events.
The 72,000-square-foot gaming floor spreads across two levels and holds more than 600 slot machines and approximately 75 table games. This makes Parq Vancouver one of the larger casino operations in British Columbia by gaming-position count.
The slot floor includes standard reel and video machines across both levels. Luna, the high-limit slots salon on Level 3, offers a separate area with premium seating, private washrooms, water views, and crystal chandeliers for players wagering higher denominations.
Slot machine selection includes multi-line video slots, progressive jackpots, and classic reel formats. Denomination ranges accommodate casual players and high-limit guests, though specific machine counts and jackpot networks change as the floor mix evolves.
The approximately 75 table games cover blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and various poker-based games. Table limits vary by game type and time of day, with higher minimums common during weekend evenings and major sporting events.
Electronic table games supplement the live dealer offerings, providing lower-minimum alternatives for games like blackjack and roulette. These machines let players bet smaller amounts while following the same game rules as the live tables.
Parq Vancouver operates British Columbia's largest poker room, with tables running cash games and tournaments around the clock. No-limit hold'em remains the primary format, with stakes ranging from lower-limit recreational tables to games with buy-ins reaching $2,000.
One example: a $2/$5/$10 no-limit hold'em game carries a $400 minimum buy-in up to $2,000, with a mandatory straddle. Other stake levels and formats run depending on player demand and time of week.
The poker room's size gives it more consistent table availability than smaller BC poker operations, though exact game spread and wait times still depend on daily traffic. Tournament schedules and special event series appear on the casino's poker page.
The Sportsbook Lounge offers in-person sports betting under BC Lottery Corporation's sports wagering framework. Canadian single-event sports betting legalized in 2021 means bettors can wager on individual games rather than only parlays, and Parq's downtown location near BC Place and Rogers Arena positions the sportsbook to capture pre-game and post-game traffic during Canucks, Whitecaps, and BC Lions events.
Getting to 39 Smithe Street depends on whether you're coming from another part of Metro Vancouver, staying downtown, or attending a nearby event. Each option has trade-offs in cost, timing, and convenience, especially when Rogers Arena or BC Place host games.
| Transportation Method | Access Route or Station | Typical Cost | Travel Time from Key Areas | Event-Day Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyTrain Canada Line | Stadium-Chinatown station, 5-minute walk to casino entrance | TransLink zone fare: $3.15–$5.70 depending on origin zones | 15 minutes from Vancouver City Centre, 25 minutes from Richmond-Brighouse, 30 minutes from YVR Airport | Trains run frequently; station gets crowded 30 minutes before and after Canucks or BC Lions games, but avoids road congestion entirely |
| Driving and Parq parkade | Parkade entrance from Smithe Street or Pacific Boulevard | Parking rates vary; Encore Rewards members may receive discounted or complimentary parking depending on play level | 10–20 minutes from downtown core, 20–40 minutes from North Shore via Lions Gate or Second Narrows bridges | Pacific Boulevard and Beatty Street experience heavy congestion 1–2 hours before Rogers Arena or BC Place events; parkade may reach capacity during sold-out games |
| Bus routes | Multiple TransLink routes serve downtown core near BC Place, including stops on Cambie, Beatty, and Pacific Boulevard | TransLink zone fare: $3.15–$5.70 | Varies by route; downtown trips typically under 20 minutes, suburban routes 40+ minutes | Game-day crowds can fill buses approaching the entertainment district; extra service may run for major events but buses share the same congested roads as cars |
| Walking from downtown hotels or Yaletown | Direct sidewalk access from Yaletown, Gastown, and downtown hotel district | Free | 5–15 minutes depending on starting point; most downtown hotels under 10 minutes | Pedestrian volume increases significantly on event days, but walking avoids parking and transit delays; useful for hotel guests or those already downtown |
| Taxi or ride-share | Drop-off zone at main entrance on Smithe Street | Approximately $15–$30 from most Vancouver neighbourhoods; surge pricing possible during major events | 10–30 minutes depending on origin and traffic | Ride-share wait times and prices increase sharply during Canucks or Lions games; drop-off zone can become congested immediately after events end |
Stadium-Chinatown station on the Canada Line puts you within a five-minute walk of the casino entrance. This avoids parking fees and event-day road congestion, though the station platform and train cars fill noticeably before and after games at Rogers Arena or BC Place.
Driving gives you direct access to the Parq parkade, entered from Smithe Street or Pacific Boulevard. Encore Rewards members may receive parking discounts or complimentary spots depending on their tier and play activity, but the parkade can reach capacity during sold-out events. Arriving more than an hour before a Canucks or Lions game improves your chance of finding a parkade space at standard rates.
If you're staying at a downtown hotel or in Yaletown, walking is often faster than waiting for a ride-share or circling for parking. Most downtown accommodations sit within a ten-minute walk of 39 Smithe Street, and sidewalk access remains clear even when roads are jammed.
British Columbia requires every person entering a casino to be 19 years of age or older and to present government-issued photo identification at the door. This applies to everyone, regardless of appearance, and the requirement is set by provincial regulation rather than Parq's internal policy.
Acceptable ID includes a driver's licence, passport, BC Services Card with photo, or other government photo identification showing your full name and date of birth. The casino checks ID at entry, so have it ready before approaching the door.
Encore Rewards is the BC Lottery Corporation loyalty program used across BC casinos, including Parq Vancouver. Membership is free, and new members receive $10 in bonus play upon registration. The card tracks slot play and eligible dining purchases, earning points that can be redeemed for bonus play, dining discounts, and other member offers.
Registering requires government-issued photo ID confirming you are 19 or older, along with your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. You can sign up at the Encore Rewards desk inside the casino or use the Encore Rewards by BCLC mobile app before your visit.
Points accumulate based on slot machine and electronic table game play. Table game play at live dealer tables typically does not earn Encore Rewards points through the card system, though policies can vary by property and game type. Bonus play earned through points must be used within 90 days and can only be wagered on slots or electronic table games.
GameSense is BC Lottery Corporation's responsible gambling program, available at Parq Vancouver and other BC casinos. The program includes on-site advisors who can explain game odds, discuss spending limits, and provide information about self-exclusion options.
Self-exclusion lets you voluntarily ban yourself from BC casinos for a set period. Once enrolled, the casino will refuse entry if you attempt to visit during your exclusion term. This is a binding commitment enforced through ID checks at the door.
If gambling is causing financial stress, relationship problems, or emotional distress, speak with a GameSense advisor at the casino or contact a provincial problem gambling helpline. These resources exist to provide support without judgment, and conversations with advisors remain confidential.
Parq Vancouver does not enforce a formal dress code for general casino entry. Casual attire is acceptable on the gaming floor, though some guests dress more formally for dinner reservations or special events at the resort.
Standard casino conduct rules apply: no photography on the gaming floor, no disruptive behaviour, no smoking except in designated areas, and no persons under 19 in gaming spaces. Security staff and floor supervisors enforce these rules, and guests who violate them may be asked to leave.
Yes, as long as you are 19 or older and can present valid government-issued photo identification at the door. Out-of-province driver's licences, passports, and other government photo IDs are accepted. The 19+ age requirement applies to everyone, regardless of where you're from.
Parking policies vary, and Encore Rewards members may receive discounted or complimentary parking depending on their membership tier and level of play. Standard parkade rates apply for non-members or members below certain thresholds. Check with the Encore Rewards desk or the Parq website for current parking offers.
The casino gaming floor operates around the clock, seven days a week. Dining venues, bars, and other resort amenities have their own hours, which can vary by day and season. The poker room runs 24/7 cash games, though table availability depends on player traffic.
Yes. Encore Rewards is a BC Lottery Corporation program used across all BC casinos. Points and benefits earned at Parq Vancouver are accessible at other participating properties, and you use the same card or app account at each location.