Skip to content
Online in BC
Home

Ownership

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 13, 2026

Departure BayDuke PointCasino Nanaimo
Rings every 1 km · schematic, not for navigation

The owner: Snuneymuxw First Nation through PDG

Petroglyph Development Group, known as PDG, is the economic development arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation. The Nation is the sole shareholder of PDG, so it owns the whole 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. PDG closed its purchase of the casino from Great Canadian on January 16, 2025. 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.

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

  • The sale date on this page, January 16, 2025, is the day PDG closed the purchase, not the June 24, 2024 announcement.
  • Like every other casino in British Columbia, Casino Nanaimo falls under provincial regulation, handled since April 13, 2026, by the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO).

Questions from the dock

Who owns Casino Nanaimo?

Petroglyph Development Group (PDG) owns it. PDG is the economic development arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation, and the Nation is its sole shareholder. All PDG profits go back to the Nation.

When did the sale close?

PDG closed the purchase from Great Canadian on January 16, 2025. 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.

Also on the chart