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Calgary area · Racetrack · 18+

Century Downs Racetrack & Casino, Balzac

This page covers Century Downs Racetrack & Casino in Balzac: where it is, what kind of venue it is, and what sits on the floor. It also notes the announced sale and what to check before you make the trip.

Illustration of a racetrack oval and grandstand on the open prairie north of Calgary

A racetrack casino beside CrossIron Mills

Century Downs Racetrack & Casino stands at 260 Century Downs Drive, Rocky View AB T4A 0V5. That puts it in Balzac, Rocky View County, next to the CrossIron Mills shopping mall. It sits north of Calgary on Highway 2, the QEII. AGLC files it as a racing entertainment centre, its term for a racetrack casino. The venue opened on April 1, 2015, and held its first Standardbred race day on April 25, 2015.

Ownership sits with Century Casinos, which holds a 75% interest, while noncontrolling partners hold the other 25%. On September 28, 2026, Century Casinos agreed to sell the racing and gaming operations to Highfield Investment Group. Closing is expected in Q4 2026 or Q1 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. No closure has been announced. In this guide, Century Downs appears on the Calgary area page and the racetrack casinos page, one of 30 venues listed on this site.

Calgary area · Racetrack · on the map

Schematic map of the region. Faint dots are the other venues in this guide.

EdmontonCalgaryRed DeerLethbridgeFort McMurrayGrande PrairieMedicine Hat

Plan your visit · checked October 10, 2026

Casino floor
Sun to Thu 9:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Fri and Sat 9:30 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Games
  • Slot machines and VLTs; no live table games in the AGLC directory
  • Electronic table games, including fully automated Electronic Roulette
  • Off-track betting lounge simulcasting races from around the world year-round
  • Live Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, over 60 days in spring, summer and fall
Food and drink
  • The Derby Restaurant Restaurant inside the casino; reservation line 403-465-0985; hours not published
  • Celly's Sports Bar and Lounge Sports bar and lounge with cocktails, wine and beer; hours not published
  • The Oaks Lounge Lounge with cocktails, wine and beer; hours not published
  • The Starting Gate Food Trailer Food trailer, described as new; hours and location not published
Shows and events
Group and event rooms: Homestretch Room, Boardroom, Paddock Room, Outdoor Elegance; no capacities published
Parking
Free parking; admission and parking free on live race days
Getting there
  • Airdrie Transit Route 900 serves CrossIron Mills mall next door; no stop at the casino confirmed
  • Route 900 starts at 6:15 a.m. and runs on all holidays except Dec 25
  • Directions in Google Maps ↗
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Loyalty card
Century Casinos Canada App for updates
Cash and ATM
Gift cards sold online for food, drinks and merchandise; not usable for gambling

Right now

  • Sale to Highfield Investment Group announced Sep 28, 2026; closing expected Q4 2026 or Q1 2027; no closure announced
  • 2026 racing: Standardbred Fri 6:35 p.m. and Sat 12:45 p.m. in summer; Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse from Sat Sep 19

Where sources differ

  • Slot count differs: over 650 slots and VLTs combined on venue homepage, 600 slot machines on Travel Alberta
Sources for this table (10)

Games, racing, food and the card

  • Slots and VLTs: the floor holds over 650 slot machines and VLTs combined. A VLT is a video lottery terminal, an electronic game played on a screen.
  • Electronic tables: the electronic table games here include fully automated Electronic Roulette. An electronic table game runs the game by machine rather than with a dealer at a felt table.
  • Poker and live tables: no live table games are listed for Century Downs. This guide does not list a poker room here either.
  • Racing and off-track betting: live horse racing runs on over 60 days across spring, summer and fall. Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing all take place, and off-track betting, meaning wagers on races run elsewhere, has a spacious lounge of its own.
  • Food and drink choices are The Derby Restaurant, Celly's Sports Bar and Lounge, The Oaks Lounge and The Starting Gate Food Trailer. Two dining spaces sit on the casino floor, and the reservation line is 403-465-0985.
  • Events and loyalty: the Homestretch Room is set aside for events. Winner's Edge, which the venue calls "our free rewards program", is AGLC's province-wide loyalty card, with points earned on carded play, meaning play recorded on the card.

Before you go

Entry is for adults 18 or older. Staff must check valid government-issued photo ID for anyone who appears to be under 25, so bring it along.

Opening hours are in the "Plan your visit" table beside the map. Holiday hours can differ, so check the venue's own page or call 587-349-7777 before setting out.

Asked about this page

Questions

Who runs Century Downs, and is it being sold?

Century Casinos owns a 75% interest, with noncontrolling partners holding 25%. On September 28, 2026, it agreed to sell the racing and gaming operations to Highfield Investment Group. Closing is expected in Q4 2026 or Q1 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. The land and buildings belong to subsidiaries of VICI Properties, and Highfield is to become the tenant at closing. No closure has been announced, and the venue is expected to keep operating under Highfield.

Does Century Downs have live tables, poker or a hotel?

No live table games are listed, and the electronic table games include fully automated Electronic Roulette. This guide lists no poker room and no hotel at Century Downs. The floor centres on over 650 slot machines and VLTs combined.

Is there live horse racing at Century Downs?

Yes, live racing runs on over 60 days across spring, summer and fall, with Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. A spacious off-track betting lounge covers races held at other tracks.