Great Canadian Entertainment Sells More BC Properties to First Nations Tribes

^{Elements Casino Chilliwack in British Columbia, pictured above, has been sold to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. (Photo: Great Canadian Entertainment on Facebook)}

Great Canadian Entertainment announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement to sell the Elements Casino Chilliwack in British Columbia to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. 

This agreement will mark Great Canadian's sixth casino sale in the province to a First Nations organization in the past two years.

Casino Purchase ‘Exciting Milestone’ for Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe

The Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe, which is made up of seven First Nation communities in the Chilliwack River watershed in southwestern BC, called the sale a deal a significant business opportunity for their people. 

“This purchase marks an exciting milestone for our Nations and for the entire territory,” Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd. President and Squiala First Nation Chief David Jimmie said in a statement. “By coming together in partnership, we are not only investing in a strong business opportunity, but also in the future of our people. The revenues generated through this acquisition will help strengthen our communities, create new opportunities, and ensure our Nations continue to play a leading role in the local economy.”

Elements Casino Chilliwack features over 300 slot machines along with table games, bingo, and a restaurant with live entertainment.

Officials with Great Canadian Entertainment said they would continue to support the casino during the transition period as the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group starts to take over operations.

“We are very excited to have entered into this agreement with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group,” Great Canadian Entertainment CEO Matt Anfinson said in a statement. “We have had the privilege of being part of the Chilliwack community since we opened Elements Casino Chilliwack in 2012, and we believe that under the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group’s stewardship, the business will begin an exciting new chapter.”

Great Canadian Finalizes Hastings Sale to TWN

That sale wasn’t the only new that Great Canadian Entertainment announced on Monday. In a separate announcement, the company revealed that it had also finalized a sale of the casino-related portions of Hastings Racecourse & Casino in Vancouver to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN). The parties had previously agreed to a non-binding agreement in June 2025.

“We are excited about this next step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory, which will bring benefits to our community and the next seven generations,” TWN Chief Justin George said in a statement.

The Hastings Racecourse & Casino features seasonal horse racing during the spring and summer, while the casino includes over 400 slot machines and a variety of table games.

After these two sales, Great Canadian Entertainment will be down to three casinos remaining in its portfolio in British Columbia: Great Canadian Casino Vancouver, Chances Dawson Creek, and Elements Casino Surrey. This is a major drop from the nine casinos the company used to own in British Columbia two years ago, Currently, Great Canadian Entertainment continues to operate 23 properties across Canada, led by a dozen casinos in the province of Ontario.