My Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands Experience: A Rare Winning Night

Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands isn’t the biggest or flashiest casino in Ontario, but it’s been on my list for a while. The reviews were all over the place—some people praised the friendly staff, while others complained about the tight slot machines, slow service, and an overall dead atmosphere.

I decided to check it out for myself with $1,000 in my pocket, hoping for the best but expecting the usual casino grind. What I got instead was one of the rare nights where I actually walked out ahead.

First Impressions: A Quiet Casino with Old-School Vibes

The casino is small, much smaller than I expected. It doesn’t have the high-energy feel of some of the bigger casinos, and honestly, when I walked in, it felt like the place was half-empty.

There were a few table games running, including blackjack and roulette, but it was clear that this casino was mostly about the slot machines. The decor had a bit of a vintage feel, and while it wasn’t the most modern place, it was clean and well-kept.

One thing that stood out right away was the staff. They were friendly, helpful, and actually made an effort to create a welcoming environment. A waitress even offered me a free coffee before I had a chance to sit down, which was a nice touch.

Now, onto the games.

Slots: A Surprisingly Strong Start

I decided to warm up with Buffalo Gold, one of my go-to machines. I started with $200, betting $3.75 per spin.

• First 20 spins? Mostly dead.
• A few small hits here and there, but nothing exciting.
• Then, a free spins bonus that paid $250.

That gave me some breathing room, so I took $100 of that and tried Lightning Link, betting $5 per spin.

• Hit a minor jackpot worth $500 within 10 minutes.
• Cashed out with $750 total from slots, putting me $550 ahead.

At this point, I was feeling good. For once, the machines weren’t completely sucking me dry. But I didn’t want to push my luck, so I decided to try my real game—blackjack.

Blackjack: The Game That Made My Night

I sat down at a $25 blackjack table, bought in for $500, and stuck to my usual basic strategy:

• Always double down on 11.
• Never take insurance.
• Stand on 17 or higher.
• Hit on 16 or lower, unless the dealer has a weak card.

The first few hands went back and forth, but then I hit a streak:

• Won five hands in a row, including a blackjack.
• Doubled down on a 10 and won another $100.
• Split 8s against a dealer’s 9, won both hands.

Within an hour, I was sitting at $1,500, putting my total bankroll for the night at $2,250.

I could have kept playing, but I’ve learned the hard way that when you’re ahead, you walk away.

Final Thoughts: A Rare Night Where I Actually Left Happy

What I Liked

• I won money. That alone makes this one of my better casino nights.
• The staff were great. From the dealers to the waitresses, everyone was friendly and helpful.
• The casino was clean and well-maintained. Even though it’s a smaller venue, it didn’t feel rundown.
• The blackjack table was fair. I’ve played at places where it feels like the dealer always has a 20, but this table gave me a real chance to win.

What I Didn’t Like

• The casino was quiet. It didn’t have the energy of a bigger venue, which made it feel a bit dull.
• Limited table games. If you’re into blackjack or roulette, you’ll find a game, but the selection is pretty bare.
• The slot machines are hit or miss. I got lucky, but I could tell by looking around that most people weren’t winning.

Would I go back? Yeah, I probably would. It’s not the most exciting casino, but a win is a win, and I can’t complain about that.