Snuneymuxw First Nation Purchases Great Canadian Casino Vancouver

^{Chief Mike Wyse of the Snuneymuxw First Nation announced the Nation's purchase of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver, helping to expand their casino ownership portfolio in British Columbia. (Photo: Snuneymuxw First Nation via Facebook)}

The Snuneymuxw First Nation has purchased yet another casino in British Columbia, and this time it's none other than the Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam, British Columbia. The deal, announced on Dec. 19, marks the Nation's fifth casino acquisition in the province this year.

The sale continues an ongoing trend for Great Canadian Entertainment, which has now sold off seven of its British Columbia casinos in the last two years.

Tribe Sees Casino Portfolio as Key to ‘Economic Self-Determination’

The purchase was made by the Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. This deal adds to a portfolio that already includes Casino Nanaimo, Elements Casino Victoria, and purchase agreements for both River Rock Casino Resort and Chances Maple Ridge.

According to a press release, the purchases will make PDG one of the largest casino operators in British Columbia and the largest First Nations gaming operator in Canada in terms of revenue.

“This latest agreement reinforces the strategy we’re executing and the proven results we’ve achieved across our gaming portfolio,” Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse said in a statement. “The confidence placed in us by Great Canadian Entertainment and the industry is grounded in our disciplined approach to sustainable growth. The proposed acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver marks another step toward economic self-determination for Snuneymuxw.”

Wyse expanded on those financial goals during a press conference.

“We’ve got a lot of opportunities,” Wyse told reporters. “Housing and health and wellness is No. 1 for sure. You know, we want to house our people.”

Great Canadian Entertainment Continues Sell Off in BC

In announcing the sale, Great Canadian Entertainment praised how well the resort had performed since the company took over the venue in December 2023, when it rebranded the former Hard Rock Casino Vancouver.

“Great Canadian Casino Vancouver has thrived because of the passion and dedication of our team members and community,” Great Canadian Entertainment COE Matthew Anfinson said in a statement. “We are pleased to pass this legacy into the hands of Snuneymuxw First Nation and the vision they hold for the business’ future.”

The Great Canadian Casino Vancouver features over 900 slot machines, 37 traditional table games, and 42 electronic table games. The resort also features several restaurants and an event theatre known as The Show.

Great Canadian Entertainment now owns just two casinos in British Columbia: Chances Dawson Creek and Elements Casino Surrey, down from the nine venues it owned in the province just two years ago. The company still operates a portfolio of more than 20 gaming properties across Canada, with a dozen casinos in Ontario alonerio alone.