Casino revenue in the Kootenays tops $20 million annually

In 2016, The Casino of the Rockies generated $1,136,000 for the local Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council Society.

— Photo courtesy Casino of the Rockies

According to the annual report of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) gambling revenue at the two provincially licensed casinos in the Kootenays generated a combined revenue of over $20 million in 2015/2016.

The St. Eugene’s Casino of the Rockies brings in over $12 million annually and the Chances Casino in Castlegar has yearly revenues of over $8 million.

In 2016, The Casino of the Rockies generated $1,136,000 for the local Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council Society while the Chances Casino returned $455,000 to Castlegar.

Here are the last three years of revenue at the Kootenays casinos:

Casino of the Rockies - Cranbrook

• 2015/2016  -- $12,524, 000
• 2014/2015 -- $12,653,000
• 2013/2014 -- $12,740,000

Chances Castlegar

• 2015/2016  -- $8,126,000
• 2014/2015 -- $7,783,000
• 2013/2014 -- $7,775,000

Casino of Rockies is owned by SEM Resort Ltd Partnership and Chances Casino in Castlegar is owned by Cranbrook-based Terrim Properties.