First Nations communities have gotten extra concerned in Canada’s on line casino trade as Indigenous organizations proceed buying gaming properties throughout the nation. The current acquisitions mark a rising effort by communities to take direct possession of business operations and create long-term sources of income.
In British Columbia, the Snuneymuxw First Nation has emerged as one of the lively Indigenous teams in the on line casino market. Through its financial growth group, Petroglyph Development Group, the Vancouver Island nation has acquired 5 on line casino properties from Great Canadian Entertainment over the previous two years.
The purchases embrace Casino Nanaimo, River Rock Casino Resort and Great Canadian Casino Vancouver. The acquisitions characterize a significant step in Snuneymuxw’s plans to change into straight concerned in on line casino possession whereas additionally regaining management of lands linked to its historical past.
Casino Nanaimo turned the primary vital property acquired by the nation. As a part of that settlement, the land the place the on line casino operates was returned to Snuneymuxw First Nation and is a part of the nation’s xwsol’lexwel village.
“It’s important to the nation for us to be reacquiring these sites by whatever means necessary,” Simpson mentioned of that acquisition. “In this transaction, we’re paying market value for land that was taken from us, which is bittersweet, but we’re really happy to have it brought back to us.”
Indigenous Groups Expand Casino Holdings in British Columbia
Other First Nations in British Columbia have adopted related paths as on line casino possession continues to vary throughout the province.
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation acquired the on line casino operations at Hastings Racecourse & Casino, whereas the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe took possession of Elements Casino Chilliwack. The Semiahmoo First Nation additionally bought Elements Casino Surrey at Fraser Downs.
These agreements will end result in Great Canadian Entertainment transferring eight of its 9 British Columbia casinos to First Nations teams. The solely remaining property from its former provincial portfolio can be Chances Dawson Creek.
The transactions mirror a broader transfer by Indigenous communities to develop unbiased enterprise operations and generate earnings that may assist neighborhood priorities. Gaming has change into one space the place First Nations organizations are constructing direct involvement in business exercise.
Alberta Casinos See New Indigenous Ownership
An analogous sample has developed in Alberta, the place Indigenous teams have expanded their position in the on line casino sector by means of large-scale purchases.
At the top of 2024, Indigenous Gaming Partners acquired the on line casino operations of Edmonton-based Pure Canadian Gaming in partnership with Sonco Gaming. The settlement included Pure Casino Edmonton, Pure Casino Yellowhead, Pure Casino Calgary and Pure Casino Lethbridge.
Indigenous Gaming Partners represents 5 rural Nova Scotia First Nations. The group continued rising its holdings in March when Pure Casino Entertainment bought Gamehost Inc. That deal added a number of properties, together with Deerfoot Inn & Casino in southeast Calgary, Rivers Casino and Entertainment Centre in Fort McMurray, and Great Northern Casino in Grande Prairie, together with a number of inns.
The acquisitions have created further income alternatives for the communities linked to Indigenous Gaming Partners. Michael Peters, chairman of IGP and CEO of Glooscap Ventures, mentioned the primary Pure Canadian Gaming buy generated new earnings for member First Nations.
Glooscap First Nation obtained greater than $600,000 throughout the six months between the acquisition of the primary group of Pure Canadian Gaming casinos and the top of the 2024-25 fiscal yr. The neighborhood used these funds to assist areas equivalent to housing and healthcare.
Alberta’s regulated on-line gaming market has additionally opened one other avenue for Indigenous on line casino operators. Pure has registered the Pure Casino digital model for patrons all through the province, whereas River Cree Resort and Casino is making ready to launch its personal licensed on-line platform.
Casino Ownership Gives First Nations Greater Control Over Revenue
Industry representatives say the rise in Indigenous possession displays a change in how First Nations communities take part in gaming.
Anthony Novac, President of IGP accomplice Sonco Gaming, mentioned Indigenous teams have extra alternatives to enter the sector by means of possession. Peters mentioned proudly owning gaming companies provides communities larger management over how earnings are used.
“Ownership changes the conversation,” Peters mentioned. “It creates long-term revenue, provides more influence over decision-making, and allows for more room to align business goals with community priorities. First Nations have a long history of being involved in gaming and have operated casinos successfully. What we are seeing now is an expansion of those opportunities beyond reserve lands and into broader commercial markets.
“Gaming is part of a larger economic story. Indigenous communities increasingly have the governance capacity, the capital partnerships and the strategic experience to lead major transactions. That is good for our communities, and it is also good for the industry as a whole.”
As conversations proceed round potential federal legislation modifications associated to First Nations authority over playing, current acquisitions by teams equivalent to Snuneymuxw First Nation and Pure Casino Entertainment present how Indigenous communities are taking a bigger position in Canada’s gaming trade.
Source:
First Nations Casino Ownership Grows Across Canada, casinoreports.ca, July 31, 2026.
