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An old hotel property has been renovated in Vancouver, and next week debuts as the city's latest, glitzy casino. The Grand Villa Casino is housed in the old Villa Hotel property.

The 100,000-square-foot gambler's haven with 50 gaming tables and more than 1,000 slot machines is the first part of a $180-million Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Inc. project that includes a spring opening of a 200-room Delta Hotel & Conference Center.

B.C. Lottery Corp. is calling for a stay on casino expansion within Metro Vancouver after the Grand Villa opens.

In a market that in the 1990s rejected the concept of a downtown Vancouver waterfront casino, city residents now patronizes eight major casino slot-machine facilities - including River Rock, Boulevard, Fraser Downs, Cascades, Hastings Racecourse, Edgewater, Starlight and now the Grand Villa.

"We'll draw people from throughout Greater Vancouver because it's near the highway and so accessible," Gateway chief executive officer Dave Gadhia said. "It's a very visible sight and you can get here in less than 10 minutes from the North Shore in non-rush-hour traffic."

The new facility is designed around an Italian villa theme, with water features, wood, natural colors and vibrant lighting that Gadhia said will bring a certain level of "elegance and sophistication."

There are many bars and restaurants in the casino, along with a 120-seat show lounge. But there are no poker rooms, considered a must by other casinos due to the game's global popularity.
Grand Villa will target high rollers attracted to other games of chance, especially baccarat.
The casino features the first casino room in British Columbia. Dedicated solely to baccarat with hosts; exclusive food and beverage service and a private cash cage for players who can bet up to $5,000 a hand.


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