First Nations warn of casino shutdown without move to big city

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

A view of the gaming floor at the Aseneskak Casino on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba. Photo from Facebook

Native leaders in Manitoba are hoping to relocate a rural casino to the largest city in the province.

The Aseneskak Casino will shut down due to a lack of business at its current location, Chief Clarence Easter of the Chemawawin Cree Nation told The Winnipeg Free Press. The facility hasn't turned a profit in the past 10 years, the paper reported.

The move requires approval from officials in the province. A meeting took place on Monday but no commitments were secured, the paper reported.

"We need their blessing on the location ... and we need a bigger market," Easter told the paper.

The casino is located on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, about 7 hours north of Winnipeg. Plans call for it to be moved to a site at or near the Assiniboia Downs, a non-Native racetrack in Winnipeg.

The Peguis First Nation has entered into an agreement with the six First Nations that own and operate Aseneskak as part of discussions for the potential move.

Read More on the Story:
Aseneskak Casino lobbies PCs to move to Winnipeg (The Winnipeg Free Press 9/14)