Great Canadian Entertainment Monday announced the signing of an agreement to sell its Casino Nanaimo property on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to Petroglyph Development Group Ltd., a wholly owned corporation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
“As the operator of Casino Nanaimo since its inception in 1986, we believe that under Petroglyph’s steady management, this transaction will provide Casino Nanaimo, its guests, and team members with an exciting new chapter,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment.
The Snuneymuxw are a First Nation of the Coast Salish People, located in the center of Coast Salish territory on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Fraser River, Burrard Inlet, and the Howe Sound.
Casino Nanaimo has more than 400 slots, six table games, and 10 electronic table games.
Great Canadian Entertainment has 25 facilities in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
“We are committed to bringing Snuneymuxw’s local expertise to an established tradition of outstanding guest service and meaningful community contributions,” said Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse. “Honouring the decades of work by past Snuneymuxw Chiefs and Councils, this collaboration promises to bring significant benefits and substantial economic growth to our Nation and the local community.”
Ian Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of PDG, said the asset will unlock huge economic potential, paving the way for “transformative growth” in Snuneymuxw’s economy, with profits from PDG going back to the First Nation.
