Before you go

Kawartha Downs before you set off

A few things are worth sorting at home before you head out to the slots at Kawartha Downs. The track sits out on County Road 28, and nobody wants to drive back to town for a forgotten wallet.

By the Out to the Downs crewChecked October 11, 2026

Nineteen and over only

Nobody under 19 gets onto the Shorelines floor at Kawartha Downs, since Ontario law bars them from casinos and slot facilities. Staff at work are the one exception. The Player's Lounge sits on the slot floor, and it is 19 plus as well, with ID. So a teenager in the car cannot wait in the lounge while you play. Online casino play in Ontario follows the same age line.

Which ID goes in your pocket

Great Canadian checks ID for any guest who seems under 30, and staff make that call, not you. The card has to be government-issued photo ID in its original form. A picture of your licence on a phone is not the original, so leave that idea at home. A second card can be requested by staff too. Tucking a second card in your wallet is handy if you tend to look young for your age.

Player card and payout counter

Great Canadian Rewards is the operator's player card, and its Comp Dollars are accepted at the Kawartha Downs slots. Members are 19 or older. If you already have one, it can go in the wallet next to your photo ID. This guide does not list earning rates or what Comp Dollars cover. When you are done at a machine, the slot floor has a payout counter.

Smoke, vape and cannabis rules

Great Canadian's code of conduct limits smoking and vaping to designated areas, and cannabis is banned everywhere on the property, indoors and outdoors. Knowing who makes which rules out there is useful. The slots are operated by Great Canadian Entertainment under the Shorelines name. Kawartha Downs, a separate company, owns the harness track, the Player's Lounge and the grounds, which is why general track questions go to 705-939-6316.

A support person, a service animal

If you live with a disability, you can bring a support person with you to Kawartha Downs. At the races, service animals are the only animals let in, and they have to stay indoors because of the horses. Kawartha Downs calls the Player's Lounge & Café on the slot floor fully accessible, and the Grandstand Dining Room, upstairs on the second floor, is wheelchair accessible. The track also puts out a written accessibility policy and a plan that runs over several years. General questions go to 705-939-6316.

Settle the sum before the car starts

What follows is general advice and says nothing specific about the venue. Every slot is built with a house edge. Across many players and many evenings, the machines take in more than they pay out. Settle a spending cap and a going-home hour before leaving the driveway; those outlast limits set at the machine. If gambling no longer feels like your choice, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600; it is free, confidential and runs 24 hours.

Questions

Quick answers

Short answers from the checked facts. Tap a question to open it.

What kind of ID should you bring?

Bring government-issued photo ID in its original form. Staff are allowed to ask for another piece too, so an extra card in your wallet comes in handy.

Will staff still ask for ID at 35?

The rule covers anyone who looks younger than 30. How old you look is the staff's call, so carrying photo ID anyway saves any trouble at the floor.

Can you smoke outside?

Great Canadian's code of conduct restricts smoking and vaping to designated areas. Cannabis is banned everywhere on the property.

Is there a hotel at the track?

There is no hotel at Kawartha Downs, and the grounds are closed to camping. Campers are directed by the track's FAQ to Omemee's Emily Provincial Park, Kawartha Trails Resort and Beavermead Park in Peterborough, and Selwyn's Bailey's Bay.