Pure Beefs Up Its Alberta Casino Holdings With Gamehost Deal
Posted on: March 30, 2026, 11:20h.
Last updated on: March 30, 2026, 11:20h.
- Gamehost announces it is selling its land-based Alberta casino properties to Pure Casino Entertainment
- VICI properties jumps in as the real estate financial muscle
- Properties to be folded into existing VICI-Pure long-term master lease agreement
Gamehost Inc., owner and operator of three Alberta land-based casinos, plus two hotel properties in the province, announced this morning it has been acquired by Pure Casino Entertainment Limited Partnership, the operating entity of Indigenous Gaming Partners Inc. That company is comprised of five institutional Nova Scotia First Nations and Sonco Gaming Inc.
Cash Deal
In the agreement, Pure said it will be acquiring all issued and common shares of Gamehost for $13.65 in cash per share, a take-private acquisition subject to approval by the majority of shareholders. A statement said the cash consideration of $13.65 is a premium of 16% based on Gamehost’s closing price of $11.75 per Gamehost share on the Toronto Stock Exchange on March 27, 2026. That was the last trading day before the transaction was announced.
The deal is expected to close in mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Gamehost owns and operates the Great Northern Casino facility in Grande Prairie, the Rivers Casino and Entertainment Centre in Fort McMurray, and the Deerfoot Inn & Casino in Calgary. Plus there is the Service Plus Inn & Suites in Grande Prairie and the Encore Suites by Service Plus, also in Grande Prairie. It also owns an investment property next to the Service Plus Inn in Grande Prairie.
Casino Companies Join Forces
For over two decades, I have had the pleasure of working with dedicated team members to create an entertainment and hospitality company that provides extraordinary experiences for our guests, employees and community,” said Darcy Will, President and CEO of Gamehost. “I am excited to pass on this legacy to Pure, a proven leader in the Alberta gaming industry. I am confident that they will continue to provide a high-quality guest experience and exceptional environment for our employees.”
Edmonton-based Pure owns and operates Pure Casino Edmonton, Pure Casino Yellowhead, Pure Casino Calgary and Pure Casino Lethbridge, which collectively employ more than 1,200 people. Indigenous Gaming Partners Inc. is comprised of Glooscap First Nation, Millbrook First Nation, Annapolis Valley First Nation, We’koqma’q L’nue’kati, and Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. Sonco Gaming is a Canadian casino management and development company.
VICI Properties Provides the Financial Muscle
VICI Properties Inc., the U.S.-based experiential real estate investment trust, is back-stopping the Gamehost-Pure deal. VICI announced separately the CAD $200.6 million pending acquisition of the real estate assets of Deerfoot, Great Northern, plus the two hotel properties next to Great Northern.
Once the Gamehost-Pure real estate deal closes, those properties will be folded into the existing long-term master lease agreement between VICI and Pure. There will be an annual rent increase on those properties of CAD $16.1 million.
Whether Gamehost’s Rivers Casino and Entertainment Centre is connected to the master lease agreement is something we’re trying to confirm with VICI.
Sale-Leaseback Deal
We are very excited to deepen and expand our presence in the Canadian gaming market, a very steady and stable gaming jurisdiction, alongside an existing partner,” said John Payne, President and COO of VICI Properties. “Having worked alongside IGP and PURE, we have seen firsthand their ability to operate and grow a best-in-class gaming platform, and we are proud to continue supporting that growth as their real estate partner and capital provider.
“This is exactly the kind of transaction that reflects VICI’s value proposition, helping best-in-class operators execute on their growth strategies, and we hope to continue growing our relationship with IGP and PURE for years to come.”
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