Today, the Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Musqueam Indian Band announced that they had struck an agreement in principle to collaborate on the purchase of the biggest casino in British Columbia, the River Rock Casino Resort.
Great Canadian Entertainment now owns and runs the casino and hotel resort in northern Richmond. The company recently started taking bids to purchase the property’s operations and gaming license.
In an effort to make amends, the British Columbian government and the Musqueam Indian Band came to an agreement in 2008 whereby the province gave the First Nation $70 million in settlement money and used that money to purchase the University Golf Course at the University of British Columbia and River Rock Casino Resort from their respective owners. The site’s potential for development is limited until at least 2083, when the First Nation must continue to use the golf course for golf course operations.
The River Rock Casino Resort lease held by Great Canadian will end in December 2041.
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Last year, River Rock Casino Resort celebrated its twentieth anniversary. It features a 70,000 square foot gaming floor with 1,100 slot machines and 75 table games, almost 400 hotel rooms, a 1,000-seat theatre, and a number of eateries, including Gordon Ramsay Steak, which opened recently.
As part of its development and investment strategy, the Musqueam Indian Band claims to have spent a significant portion of the last year investigating various opportunities to purchase the River Rock Casino Resort company.
The Musqueam band’s council this morning passed a motion to support the agreement in principle to partner with the Snuneymuxw on the acquisition. The Snuneymuxw First Nation approached the Musqueam Indian Band in September 2025 about their intention to purchase the Richmond casino and hotel business.
In a statement released Monday, Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow said, “We thank Snuneymuxw First Nation for respecting our traditional territories and following our shared cultural protocols by approaching us about a partnership to acquire River Rock.”
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