Indigenous companies acquire River Rock Casino in Richmond

River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond has been sold to Indigenous-led operators, shifting one of Western Canada's largest gaming destinations from public Canadian ownership to Indigenous hands.

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, now own the property. The deal is part of a broader series of casino acquisitions by PDG from Great Canadian Entertainment, 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.

River Rock opened in June 2004 and features more than 1,200 slot machines and electronic table games, more than 80 live table games, a 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.

Great Canadian Entertainment CEO Matt Anfinson said the company has "full confidence in PDG's and MCC's collective leadership and long-term vision for River Rock and the community it serves."

Gaming revenue at River Rock has declined since the pandemic. The City of Richmond, which receives 10 per cent of net gaming revenue from the casino, collected about $14 million annually before the pandemic but expects about $10.5 million this year.