• Casino portion of Hastings Racecourse & Casino sold to B.C. First Nation
• Hastings Casino an entertainment landmark in Vancouver, with 400 slot machines
• This is the latest B.C. casino sale for Great Canadian Entertainment

Great Canadian Entertainment has announced the formal sale of Hastings Casino, in Vancouver, to Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

Hastings Racecourse & Casino located in downtown Vancouver was sold to Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Image: Great Canadian Entertainment.

The two parties had agreed to a memorandum of understanding to transfer ownership of the property back in June. Yesterday’s announcement was that they had reached a definitive agreement. TWN is purchasing the casino portion of the business and the casino-related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation, known as People of the Inlet, is a First Nation band government, one of many communities of Coast Salish peoples living in B.C., Oregon and Washington.

Agreement Was Originally Announced in June

Hastings Racecourse & Casino is in East Vancouver, buzzing from live racing season, from spring to fall. There’s also simulcast horse racing from global racetracks. The casino, open year round, features 400 slot machines, from classic reels to flashier video slots with progressive jackpots, blackjack, roulette and craps, plus a poker room with regular tournaments. There’s a small sports lounge, called Eclipse, for betting on games.

“We are excited about this next step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory, which will bring benefits to our community and the next seven generations,” said Justin George, Chief of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). “I am grateful to our current and previous səlilwətaɬ leadership, as well as our Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Economic Development Department, for advancing and solidifying this opportunity.”

City of Vancouver Still Needs to Approve the Deal

The finalization of the deal is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including from regulatory authorities and the City of Vancouver, which owns the real estate at Hastings Park.

“It has been an honour to steward the casino at Hastings Racecourse & Casino for over 20 years, and we recognize the important role this transaction plays in TWN’s economic self-determination,” said Matt Anfinson, CEO, Great Canadian Entertainment. “We will now dedicate our efforts to a successful close of this transaction, as well as supporting the Tsleil-Waututh Nation thereafter.”

Great Canadian Entertainment has been actively divesting itself of B.C. casino properties lately, selling numerous properties to several B.C. First Nations.

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