Vancouver Island

Who owns Casino Nanaimo

Since January 16, 2025, Casino Nanaimo has been owned by Petroglyph Development Group, wholly owned by Snuneymuxw First Nation. Great Canadian operated it from its 1986 opening; the sale, announced on June 24, 2024, provided for land to return to Snuneymuxw.

By the Ledger Desk · Checked October 7 and 8, 2026

Owner and operator

Petroglyph Development Group closed its purchase of Casino Nanaimo from Great Canadian on January 16, 2025. The same closing covered Elements Casino Victoria. Petroglyph is the economic development arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation, and the Nation is its sole shareholder. In the company's own words, "all profits go back to the Nation".

On this site, "runs" names the company that operates a casino. "Owns" is used where an owner or a sale is published. Petroglyph runs its Vancouver Island casinos, Casino Nanaimo among them, through Lahal Casino Management LP, its casino management arm. BCLC conducts and manages the gambling.

The sale was announced on June 24, 2024. Land associated with the casino was to be returned to Snuneymuxw on closing, as part of the Snuneymuxw xwsol'lexwel village. Great Canadian, which had operated Casino Nanaimo since 1986, was to provide transition services for up to two years. How those services stand now is not published.

Dated history

Casino Nanaimo opened in 1986, and it now stands at 620 Terminal Ave in downtown Nanaimo. Great Canadian operated it from the first day. The guide has no record of another name for the casino.

The sale to Petroglyph Development Group, the economic development arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation, was announced on June 24, 2024. Under its terms, land associated with the casino was to go back to Snuneymuxw on closing.

Petroglyph closed the purchase on January 16, 2025, along with Elements Casino Victoria. Two more casinos in this guide have since passed to First Nations ownership. Great Canadian Casino Vancouver followed on May 5, 2026, and River Rock Casino Resort on June 16, 2026.

On the floor

BCLC conducts and manages the games at Casino Nanaimo, as it does across British Columbia. Hours run Sunday to Thursday 10 AM to 1 AM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 2 AM. All times are Pacific. Holiday hours should be checked on the casino's own site.

The floor has over 400 slot machines, from one cent per pull. Live tables run Monday to Thursday 4 PM to 12 AM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 2 AM, and Sunday 11 AM to 12 AM. Games include Kings Bounty Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack and RUYI Baccarat. Poker is No Limit Texas Hold'em at $1/$3, with a buy-in of $100 to $400.

At The Well Public House, music trivia is on Thursdays at 7 PM and music bingo on Fridays at 7 PM. Karaoke follows on Saturdays at 8 PM. Casino Nanaimo names Encore Rewards as its players' card.

Published hours, Pacific time

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Sun to Thu 10 AM to 1 AM; Fri to Sat 10 AM to 2 AM

Live tables: Live tables: Monday to Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Friday & Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Poker: Monday to Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Friday to Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.; Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Games: Slot machines: Over 400 (from one cent per pull)
Table games: Live games: Kings Bounty Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, RUYI Baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold'em
Poker tables: Waitlist: register at Guest Services (in-person priority) or call 250-753-3033; must be in the casino

At the door

Casino Nanaimo is at 620 Terminal Ave in downtown Nanaimo, next to BC Transit's Downtown Nanaimo Exchange. Its phone number is 250-753-3033. Gambling in British Columbia is for people 19 or older. Everyone entering shows government-issued photo ID, which is checked against the self-exclusion list.

Distances on this page are straight lines between OpenStreetMap points, not driving distances. Within Vancouver Island, RimRock Casino in Port Alberni is 63.0 km from Casino Nanaimo, and Elements Casino Victoria is 86.4 km away. The guide gives no travel times.

Plan your visit, checked October 10, 2026

At the door: Minimum age: 19
Parking: Free parking (BCLC's CasinosBC listing for Casino Nanaimo). It does not say whether this is a lot or a garage, or give height limits.
Transit: Next to BC Transit's Downtown Nanaimo Exchange (Bay D about 240 m); nearer stops 'Victoria Cres at Albert St' (about 150 m

Directions in Google Maps

Official site: casinonanaimo.com

Not a paid link.

Sources (6)

casinonanaimo.com, October 7, 2026
casinonanaimo.com/poker, October 7, 2026
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gambling-in-bc, October 7, 2026
casinonanaimo.com/event/music-trivia, October 10, 2026
casinosbc.com/locations/casino-nanaimo.html, October 10, 2026
bct.tmix.se/Tmix.Cap.TdExport.WebApi/gtfs, October 7, 2026

Questions on the record

Who runs Casino Nanaimo?

Petroglyph Development Group, wholly owned by Snuneymuxw First Nation, has owned it since January 16, 2025. Petroglyph runs its Vancouver Island casinos through Lahal Casino Management LP, its casino management arm.

Has Casino Nanaimo changed hands since 2024?

The sale from Great Canadian was announced on June 24, 2024, and closed on January 16, 2025. Great Canadian had operated the casino since it opened in 1986.

What rules apply on the floor?

BCLC conducts and manages the games, as in every BC casino. Gambling is for people 19 or older, and every guest shows government-issued photo ID at the door. Casino Nanaimo names Encore Rewards as its players' card. A GameSense Advisor is available in every casino in British Columbia.

What are Casino Nanaimo's hours?

It is open Sunday to Thursday 10 AM to 1 AM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 2 AM, Pacific time. Holiday hours should be checked on the casino's own site.