Membertou Entertainment Centre is a Native American gaming facility located in Membertou, Nova Scotia, offering bingo games and video lottery terminals in a culturally rich Mi'kmaq community setting.
Membertou Entertainment Centre stands as a distinctive gaming and entertainment venue within the Membertou First Nation community in Nova Scotia, Canada. Located at 11 Chief Ben Christmas Awti'j in Membertou, this facility combines traditional bingo gaming with modern video lottery terminals, creating a unique entertainment destination that reflects both the cultural heritage of the Mi'kmaq people and contemporary gaming preferences. The centre operates as part of a larger hospitality ecosystem that includes the Hampton Inn by Hilton, the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, and the Membertou Heritage Park, positioning it as more than just a gaming venue but rather a comprehensive community attraction.
The facility's primary focus on bingo gaming distinguishes it from larger casino operations, catering to a dedicated player base that values the social aspects of bingo alongside the potential for significant jackpot wins. With a 700-seat bingo hall and regular sessions five days per week, the centre has established itself as a regional hub for bingo enthusiasts. The addition of online bingo platforms has expanded accessibility, allowing players to participate remotely while maintaining connection to the Membertou gaming community.
Membertou Entertainment Centre operates within a 33,000 square foot gaming space that accommodates both its primary bingo operations and a selection of video lottery terminals. The facility features 30 gaming machines, all classified as video lottery terminals rather than traditional slot machines, reflecting Nova Scotia's specific gaming regulatory framework. This configuration places the venue in the category of smaller gaming facilities focused on specific gaming verticals rather than comprehensive casino operations.
The bingo hall itself represents the centerpiece of the operation, with 700 seats arranged to facilitate both gameplay and social interaction. This capacity makes it one of the larger dedicated bingo venues in Atlantic Canada, capable of hosting substantial player volumes during peak sessions. The facility maintains regular operating hours Tuesday through Wednesday and Friday through Saturday from 3 PM until close, with Sunday sessions beginning at noon. The venue remains closed on Mondays and Thursdays, with Thursday evening reserved for online bingo sessions.
The 30 video lottery terminals at Membertou Entertainment Centre operate under Nova Scotia's gaming regulations, which distinguish these devices from traditional slot machines found in full-scale casinos. Video lottery terminals in Nova Scotia are networked devices that offer various game types including simulated slots, poker, and keno. The relatively modest number of machines indicates the facility's strategic focus on bingo as the primary gaming attraction, with VLTs serving as supplementary entertainment options for visitors.
This configuration reflects a common approach among smaller Indigenous gaming facilities in provinces where full casino gaming remains restricted or heavily regulated. The VLT model allows for gaming machine entertainment within regulatory parameters while maintaining the venue's identity as primarily a bingo hall rather than a casino in the traditional sense.
Membertou Entertainment Centre operates two distinct bingo programs: in-person sessions held five days weekly and online bingo sessions conducted every Thursday and Sunday at 7 PM. This dual-channel approach addresses different player preferences and expands the potential player base beyond those able to visit the physical facility. The online platform, accessible through mecbingo.com, maintains the same jackpot structures and game formats as in-person sessions, creating parity between participation methods.
The jackpot structures include both progressive loonie pots and guaranteed must-go jackpots. As of December 2025, the Thursday online session features a loonie pot of $3,200 and a must-go jackpot of $2,000, while the Sunday session offers a substantially larger loonie pot of $20,000 alongside a $2,000 must-go jackpot. These must-go jackpots create guaranteed winner scenarios that drive participation, particularly as the deadline approaches.
The centre implements seasonal promotional campaigns to maintain player engagement and attract new participants. The Five Days of Christmas promotion represents a typical seasonal initiative, offering enhanced prizes and special game formats during the holiday period. These promotions typically feature increased jackpot amounts, bonus games, and prize packages that extend beyond cash payouts to include merchandise and experience rewards.
Special event bingo sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the year, often coordinating with community celebrations, holiday weekends, and convention center events. These special sessions may feature altered game formats, increased prize pools, or themed entertainment elements that differentiate them from regular weekly sessions.
Indigenous gaming facilities in Canada operate under specific regulatory frameworks that recognize First Nations sovereignty while ensuring responsible gaming practices. These venues serve both community members and visitors, contributing to local economic development and employment.
Membertou Entertainment Centre exemplifies how gaming operations can integrate with broader community hospitality offerings, including convention facilities, heritage tourism, and accommodation services, creating a comprehensive visitor experience rooted in cultural authenticity.
Membertou Entertainment Centre benefits from its location within the broader Membertou community complex, which has developed into a significant hospitality and cultural tourism destination in Cape Breton. The facility's address at 11 Chief Ben Christmas Awti'j places it in close proximity to the Hampton Inn by Hilton, connected via pedestrian walkway to the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. This integrated layout allows convention attendees, hotel guests, and heritage park visitors to easily access the entertainment centre as part of a comprehensive visit.
The Membertou community is located adjacent to Sydney, Nova Scotia, providing accessibility to the broader Cape Breton regional population as well as tourists visiting the island. The facility offers free parking for cars, RVs, and buses, addressing the transportation needs of both local players and tour groups. This parking capacity supports the venue's role as a regional destination rather than solely a local community facility.
The entertainment centre functions as one component of Membertou's comprehensive hospitality infrastructure. The Hampton Inn by Hilton provides 101 guest rooms with modern amenities including complimentary breakfast, an indoor pool with waterslide, and free Wi-Fi, creating accommodation options for visitors attending extended bingo sessions or combining gaming with other Membertou attractions. The hotel's cultural design elements reflect Mi'kmaq heritage, providing guests with an immersive cultural experience.
The Membertou Trade and Convention Centre hosts year-round conferences, performances, and special events, generating a steady flow of potential entertainment centre visitors. The Membertou Heritage Park offers cultural education through exhibits, workshops, and interactive tours focused on Mi'kmaq history and traditions. Kiju's Restaurant provides dining options emphasizing fresh, local ingredients and both traditional and contemporary cuisine. This ecosystem creates multiple reasons for extended visits, with the entertainment centre serving as one attraction within a broader destination experience.
Membertou Entertainment Centre operates under the regulatory framework governing gaming on First Nations lands in Nova Scotia. Indigenous gaming facilities in Canada navigate a complex regulatory environment involving federal Indigenous rights, provincial gaming regulations, and community governance structures. In Nova Scotia, video lottery terminals are regulated by the provincial government through the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division, while bingo operations fall under separate charitable gaming regulations with specific provisions for Indigenous community operations.
The facility's classification as an entertainment centre rather than a casino reflects both regulatory distinctions and marketing positioning. Unlike full-scale casinos offering table games such as blackjack, roulette, and poker, Membertou Entertainment Centre focuses exclusively on bingo and video lottery terminals. This narrower gaming offering aligns with Nova Scotia's gaming landscape, where full casino operations are limited and most gaming outside Halifax occurs through video lottery terminals in licensed establishments and dedicated bingo halls.
As a community-owned enterprise, Membertou Entertainment Centre contributes to the economic development strategy of the Membertou First Nation. Gaming revenues support community programs, infrastructure development, and employment opportunities for community members. The facility operates as part of Membertou's broader economic diversification approach, which includes hospitality, retail, professional services, and cultural tourism alongside gaming operations.
Employment at the entertainment centre provides jobs in gaming operations, customer service, facility management, and food and beverage service. These positions contribute to the community's employment rate and provide career development opportunities for residents. The facility's integration with the convention centre and hotel creates additional employment in interconnected hospitality sectors, amplifying the economic impact beyond direct gaming operations.
The entertainment centre provides amenities designed to enhance the bingo playing experience and encourage extended visits. The canteen offers food and beverage service, allowing players to purchase refreshments without leaving the facility during sessions. The rewards program provides regular players with benefits and incentives tied to their play frequency and volume, creating loyalty mechanisms common in gaming operations.
The facility maintains a dedicated bingo hotline at 902-562-3999, providing players with information about session times, jackpot amounts, and special promotions. This communication channel serves the player base that prefers telephone contact over digital channels, reflecting the demographic profile of traditional bingo players while the website and online platform address digitally-oriented participants.
Membertou Entertainment Centre occupies a specific niche within Nova Scotia's gaming landscape as a bingo-focused facility with supplementary video lottery terminals, operating within an Indigenous community context that emphasizes cultural tourism and comprehensive hospitality offerings. The venue's 700-seat bingo hall, regular session schedule, and substantial jackpot structures position it as a regional destination for bingo enthusiasts, while its integration with the broader Membertou complex provides visitors with diverse attractions beyond gaming. The facility demonstrates how Indigenous communities can develop gaming operations that contribute to economic development while maintaining cultural identity and community values. For visitors to Cape Breton seeking entertainment options or bingo players looking for substantial jackpots in a community-oriented environment, Membertou Entertainment Centre offers a distinctive alternative to larger urban gaming facilities.
The facility offers bingo games both in-person and online, along with 30 video lottery terminals. It does not offer traditional casino table games like blackjack or roulette.
In-person bingo runs Tuesday through Wednesday and Friday through Saturday from 3 PM, with Sunday sessions starting at noon. Online bingo occurs every Thursday and Sunday at 7 PM. The facility is closed Mondays and Thursdays for in-person gaming.
Jackpots vary by session, with must-go jackpots typically at $2,000 and loonie pots ranging from $3,200 to $20,000 depending on the day. Sunday sessions generally feature the largest loonie pot amounts.
Yes, online bingo is available every Thursday and Sunday at 7 PM through mecbingo.com, featuring the same jackpot structures as in-person sessions.
Yes, the Hampton Inn by Hilton is located within the Membertou complex and connected to the Trade and Convention Centre via pedestrian walkway, providing convenient accommodation for entertainment centre visitors.
The bingo hall features 700 seats, making it one of the larger dedicated bingo venues in Atlantic Canada.
The facility has a canteen for refreshments, and Kiju's Restaurant is located within the broader Membertou complex offering full dining service with local and fresh ingredients.
The bingo hotline is 902-562-3999, general information is available at 902-562-1198, and the facility is located at 11 Chief Ben Christmas Awti'j, Membertou, Nova Scotia.
Trusted organizations supporting responsible gaming and Indigenous community development
Discover Mi'kmaq culture and history through interactive exhibits, cultural workshops, and guided tours at this five-acre living history site preserving Indigenous traditions and community stories.
Premier event venue hosting conferences, performances, and special events year-round, connected to Hampton Inn by Hilton and serving as the community's central gathering space for thousands of annual visitors.
Special holiday bingo promotion featuring enhanced prizes and bonus games throughout the Christmas season.
December 21st Sunday session features guaranteed $20,000 loonie pot winner alongside $2,000 jackpot.
Thursday and Sunday online sessions attract increasing participation with same jackpots as in-person games.