Indigenous Gaming Partners, a newly formed partnership of five Nova Scotia-based First Nations and Sonco Gaming Inc., has acquired PURE Canadian Gaming and its portfolio of four Alberta casinos. The deal will see the new casino operators assume the master lease for facilities located in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge with VICI Properties, a U.S.-based hospitality REIT that owns 59 gaming properties and 34 other hospitality venues throughout the United States and Canada.

“We’re excited to take this significant step forward in diversifying and building lasting economic opportunities for our Nations,” says Michael Peters, chairman of Indigenous Gaming Partners (IGP) a member of the Glooscap First Nation and chief executive officer of its economic development arm, Glooscap Ventures. “This acquisition allows us to enter the gaming industry at scale, creating new opportunities for growth and meaningful benefits for our communities.”

Other IGP partners include Millbrook First Nation, Annapolis Valley First Nation, We’koqma’q L’nue’kati, and Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, teamed with Sonco Gaming Inc. a leader in Indigenous-owned casino development and management. Some high-profile Sonco projects include The Great Blue Heron Casino on Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation in Ontario, The Grey Eagle Resort & Casino on the lands of Tsuut’ina First Nation outside of Calgary and Casino New Brunswick.

“This transaction represents an important step toward economic reconciliation and demonstrates the potential for meaningful partnerships in Indigenous gaming,” says Sonco Gaming’s chief executive officer, Anthony Novac.

“We are pleased to welcome IGP as a new partner, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with IGP and Sonco as they pursue additional growth opportunities in the future,” observes Danny Valoy, vice president of business development and acquisitions with VICI Properties.

The transaction has received regulatory approval from Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis and the Canada Competition Bureau.