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Who Owns Casino Nanaimo

Casino Nanaimo has been owned by Snuneymuxw First Nation, through Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), since January 16, 2025. The dates of the sale and the years before it are set out below.

By the Chart editorsChecked October 10, 2026

Departure BayDuke PointCasino Nanaimo
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The owner: Snuneymuxw First Nation through PDG

PDG, short for Petroglyph Development Group, is the arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation that handles economic development. PDG has a single shareholder, the Nation, which therefore owns the entire company. All PDG profits go back to the Nation. Ownership of the casino rests with the Nation itself, through its own company.

Day-to-day operation is a separate role. Casino Nanaimo is run by Lahal Casino Management LP, which is PDG's casino management arm. On January 16, 2025, PDG completed its purchase of the casino from Great Canadian. Both the owning company and the operating company trace back to the Nation.

Since 1986: from Great Canadian to PDG

Dates on record
WhenWhat
1986Casino Nanaimo starts, operated by Great Canadian
June 24, 2024Sale to Petroglyph Development Group announced
January 16, 2025Sale closed; Snuneymuxw First Nation owns the casino through PDG

Great Canadian operated Casino Nanaimo from its start in 1986. That arrangement lasted until the sale to PDG. The sale was announced on June 24, 2024. When it was announced, the land associated with the casino was to be returned to Snuneymuxw on closing. The land was to form part of the Snuneymuxw xwsol'lexwel village.

On January 16, 2025, PDG completed the purchase from Great Canadian. Since then the casino has been owned by PDG and run by Lahal Casino Management LP. The name did not change. It keeps the name Casino Nanaimo and stays in downtown Nanaimo, at 620 Terminal Ave.

  • The sale date on this page, January 16, 2025, is the day PDG closed the purchase, not the June 24, 2024 announcement.
  • Like all casinos in British Columbia, Casino Nanaimo is provincially regulated, by the IGCO (Independent Gambling Control Office) since April 13, 2026.

Questions from the dock

Who owns Casino Nanaimo?

Petroglyph Development Group (PDG) owns it. Snuneymuxw First Nation is the only shareholder of PDG, which serves as the Nation's economic development arm. All PDG profits go back to the Nation.

When did the sale close?

The deal closed on January 16, 2025, when PDG completed its purchase from Great Canadian. The sale had been announced on June 24, 2024.

Who runs it day to day?

Lahal Casino Management LP, PDG's casino management arm, runs the casino. Great Canadian had operated it from its start in 1986.

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