First Nation Announces Tentative Deal to Purchase Hastings Racecourse & Casino
Posted on: June 10, 2025, 09:05h.
Last updated on: June 10, 2025, 10:52h.
- Great Canadian sold two other BC casino properties to First Nations in 2024
- Casino expansion plans in the works
- Deal still needs to be finalized
Great Canadian Entertainment has sold another British Columbia casino property – Hastings Racecourse & Casino, in Vancouver, to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
The 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 BC, Oregon, and Washington.
We are thrilled to take another important step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory,” said Jen Thomas, chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, “and we are eager to work with the senior management team at Great Canadian Entertainment to finalize due diligence and execute a definitive agreement, as well as working with the City of Vancouver to ensure the best long-term use of this important asset within the City.
“We believe that this opportunity is historic for us in many ways, and we look forward to entering the gaming industry in due course.”
Casino Expansion in the Works
Hastings Racecourse & Casino is located at Hastings Park, four miles from downtown Vancouver. The property combines thoroughbred horse racing with a casino – one of only two places in the province where one can bet on live horse racing. There’s also simulcast racing from global racetracks. On the casino side, the property features over 500 slot machines on a 42K-square-foot casino floor beneath the grandstands.
There are plans to expand the casino, which would come through the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The provincial crown corporation manages land-based casinos in BC, with companies like Great Canadian operating the properties under BCLC’s oversight. The expansion of both Hastings Park and the gambling facilities at Parq Vancouver would boost revenues back to the city.
Deal Still Needs to Be Finalized
The two sides have agreed to a memorandum of understanding but financial terms still need to be finalized along with the execution of a definitive purchase and sale agreement. Great Canadian Entertainment will assist TWN during the transition, following closing, and the sale is also subject to gaming regulatory approvals as well as approvals by the City of Vancouver.
In 2024, the casino operator sold two Vancouver Island properties – Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria — both to Petroglyph Development Group Ltd. (PDG), a wholly owned corporation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Great Canadian Entertainment operates gaming and entertainment facilities in BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
“We are excited about working with TWN on their potential acquisition of the casino operations and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino,” said Great Canadian CEO Matt Anfinson. “Recognizing that Hastings is part of the TWN’s traditional territory, we can think of no better entity to inherit this asset, and we look forward to supporting them in the transition after the anticipated close of the sale.”
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