Casino News

River Rock Casino Resort Fuels Richmond’s Coffers

It is safe to say, that the unprecedented situation took its toll on the Canadian land-based gambling industry, but now it seems that the sector has put the challenges behind it. It looks like River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, British Columbia, is one to overcome the lockdown issued, as money flowing from the property to the city coffers is back to pre-closure levels.

Located at 8811 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 3P8, River Rock Casino is a major economic force for the city. It is one of the province’s leading premium casino entertainment venues, as its gaming floor boasts a broad selection of table games and slot machines. Meanwhile, there are other amenities such as its hotel, restaurants, an indoor pool, and a spa for visitors to enjoy.

Exceeding Pre-Closure Performances

After the rough spell for the casino industry, caused by the closures of 2020 and 2021, the Richmond casino seems to be doing quite well. It was recently reported that the city’s budget is projected to reach CA$14.5 million, which can reach CA$14.8. City officials revealed that for Q1 of this year, the city obtained CA$3.7 in gaming revenue from the casino.

These numbers suggest that the gaming amenity has now fully recovered from the impact of the unprecedented situation as its quarterly payments exceed ones from before the disastrous 2020 for the industry. Last year, officials expected that the city would get CA$14.5 million, but unfortunately, come the end of the financial year, the city received CA$1.9 million less than that.

Under the current contract, the city gets 10% of the net profits of the casino, which is a major contributor to the local economy. Back in March 2020, along with the other casinos in the province, the property ceased operations for over 14 months. It restarted work in July 2021, but under limited capacity and health-related protocols, affecting its performance.

It should be mentioned, that the funds that the city of Richmond receives from the Great Canadian Entertainment gaming hotspot support many initiatives around the region. Some of them include funding to the RCMP department, to pay off the city debts, towards grants and council projects. Meanwhile, the remaining CA$4 million is usually put into the capital reserves.

Accredited for its Accessibility

This month, Great Canadian Entertainment revealed that its River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond has been awarded the prestigious Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification for its efforts to accommodate accessibility needs. That was yet another example of the casino’s commitment to providing accessibility and inclusivity for all staff and patrons.

The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification is an independent, third-party evaluation that assesses buildings and facilities based on various accessibility criteria, including entranceways, elevators, washrooms, and parking lots. RHFAC certification means that people with accessibility needs can thoroughly enjoy every amenity at a certain brick-and-mortar destination. It also means that members are provided equal opportunities to work and prosper in an environment that appreciates diversity.

Source: Rantanen, Maria “Gambling on the rise in RichmondBusiness in Vancouver, May 29, 2023