The ownership of a Richmond casino and resort has transferred from a publicly operated Canadian gaming company to Indigenous hands.

River Rock Casino Resort was sold by Great Canadian Entertainment to Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), a corporation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and Musqueam Capital Corp. (MCC), the economic development arm of the Musqueam Indian Band.

This deal is part of a broader series of casino acquisitions by PDG from Great Canadian, including Casino Nanaimo, Elements Casino Victoria, Chances Maple Ridge and Great Canadian Casino Vancouver.

PDG is now the largest Indigenous-owned casino operator in Canada by revenue.

Great Canadian Entertainment CEO Matt Anfinson described River Rock Casino Resort as “one of the most successful and iconic gaming and hospitality destinations” in the country.

“We have full confidence in PDG’s and MCC’s collective leadership and long-term vision for River Rock and the community it serves,” said Anfinson.

“We look forward to watching River Rock and its team members continuing to thrive while contributing to the economic success of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band.”

River Rock opened in June 2004 as the largest casino resort in Western Canada.

It features more than 1,200 slot machines and electronic table games, more than 80 live table games, live racebook, poker room, nearly 400 hotel rooms, a 1,000-person theatre, full-service spa, marina and 10 food and beverage venues on site.

Gaming revenue at River Rock has dipped since the pandemic. The City of Richmond, like all municipalities that host a casino, receives 10 per cent of net gaming revenue. Before the pandemic, they got about $14 million annually from River Rock. This year, they are expecting about $10.5 million in revenue.

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