Semiahmoo First Nation has entered into an agreement to acquire Elements Casino Surrey from Great Canadian Entertainment.
The acquisition of the casino business is being made through the First Nation’s for-profit, wholly-owned company, SE-MI-AH-MU Development Corporation.
The finalization of the sale is still subject to regulatory approval, including the City of Surrey, which owns the casino’s physical property at the Cloverdale fairgrounds in Surrey. The physical property is not part of the sale.
Recently, Great Canadian has been aggressively reducing its portfolio in British Columbia, with this latest deal being their eighth sale of a casino business in the province to a First Nation.
“We are thrilled that the Semiahmoo First Nation is eager to enter the province’s casino sector with the purchase of Elements Casino Surrey. Our next step will be to continue to work with the SE-MI-AH-MU team to timely close this transaction and then work with SE-MI-AH-MU and the Elements Casino Surrey team members for long term success,” said Matt Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian, in a statement.
Semiahmoo First Nation chief Harley Chappell added, “This acquisition represents an important step forward in strengthening economic opportunity for Semiahmoo First Nation and reaffirming our presence within our traditional territory as a strong and capable business entity. Through this new venture, we look forward to creating meaningful benefits for our people, supporting employment opportunities in the region, and contributing to the long-term well-being and prosperity of our community.”
Elements Casino Surrey and Fraser Downs at the Cloverdale fairgrounds in Surrey. (Google Maps)
Slot machines at Elements Casino Surrey. (Great Canadian Entertainment)
This also follows Summer 2025’s major upheaval at the Cloverdale fairgrounds, when Surrey’s municipal government suddenly terminated the lease for Fraser Downs — bringing an end to nearly half a century of horse racing at the site. Great Canadian operated Fraser Downs, which was a 5/8-mile standardbred harness racing track with stabling facilities and a backstretch. The casino is co-located with the racing track’s grandstand.
Over the long term, the City of Surrey intends to achieve a mixed-use redevelopment on a portion of the Cloverdale fairgrounds, with housing, public spaces, and expanded community and recreational facilities.
The previous horse racing business complemented Elements Casino’s 500 slot machines and 25 table games. The casino last underwent a major renovation about a decade ago.
For the 2024/2025 fiscal year, according to B.C. Lottery Corporation, Elements Casino Surrey saw $58.2 million in total revenue, including $49.2 million from slots and over $9 million from tables. It was the eighth highest-revenue generating casino in the province.
Last year, Great Canadian also sold River Rock Casino in Richmond to Musqueam Indian Band and the Vancouver Island-based Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Separately, the Snuneymuxw also acquired Chances Maple Ridge Casino and Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in southeast Coquitlam from Great Canadian. Similarly, the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation also reached an agreement with Great Canadian to acquire the casino business at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, which also saw its horse race operations permanently shut down last year.