The Snuneymuxw First Nation has made a significant move by acquiring two prominent casinos in British Columbia, including the River Rock Casino Resort located in Richmond. In a recent announcement, the Nanaimo-area nation revealed that the purchase of River Rock and Chances Maple Ridge will position its Petroglyph Development Group as the leading Indigenous gaming operator in Canada in terms of revenue.
According to a statement, the nation has finalized agreements with the current operator, Great Canadian Entertainment, to secure ownership of the two casinos. However, the transaction is still pending regulatory and other necessary approvals.
This acquisition comes on the heels of Petroglyph’s earlier purchases of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria, marking a strategic expansion for the First Nation’s economic development initiatives. Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse expressed that these acquisitions represent a significant leap towards economic self-sufficiency and will pave the way for enduring prosperity within the community.
Additionally, the Musqueam Nation, the owner of the River Rock site on the Fraser River, has expressed satisfaction with the agreement to collaborate with Snuneymuxw in the purchase. Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow hailed the deal as a collaborative effort between nations, emphasizing the creation of more employment opportunities and economic growth for both communities.