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10128 – 104 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5J 4Y8
(780) 413-3178
CASINO WEBSITE: N/A
SIZE: 35,000-square-feet
TABLE GAMES: 29*
SLOT MACHINES: 328*
POKER ROOM: YES (6)
AMENITIES: Café
* Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission figures as listed in Canadian Gaming News, Dec. 2005 / Jan. 2006. |
DESCRIPTION
The Baccarat Casino is located in downtown Edmonton and attracts a combination of high-rolling Asian baccarat players and a variety of downtown Edmonton residents and hotel guests. It has plans to significantly re-develop and expand its current site to make itself one of the city’s largest casinos.
HISTORY
The Baccarat opened in October 1996 at the corner of 104th Avenue and 101st Street in downtown Edmonton. It was built by Carlson Construction of Edmonton for approximately $2.2 million. At the time it was built, the Baccarat was the City of Edmonton’s third casino (not including nearby St Albert’s Gold Dust Casino).
The ownership of the original Baccarat Casino was originally made up of a group of Chinese-Canadian businessmen headed by Edmontonian Dick Wong and Vanouverite Simon Lee. By 2000, the 35,000-square-foot Baccarat was reportedly the number two money-making casino in Alberta after Casino Calgary.
OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
Baccarat Casino is presently owned and operated by Gateway Casinos Inc. (GCI). GCI is a privately held casino operator that operates four casinos in B.C. and Alberta.
The publicly-traded “cousin” of GCI is the Gateway Casinos Income Fund. It is one of the largest casino operators in Western Canada and headquartered in Burnaby, B.C. The Fund provides management services to Gateway Casinos Inc. and also operates 7 casinos in B.C. and Alberta. They include the Burnaby Casino in Greater Vancouver, B.C., Cascades Casino in Langley, B.C., Palace Casino, and the Lake City Casinos in Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, and Vernon, B.C.
Under an agreement between GCI and the Fund, GCI has granted a right of first offer to the Fund on any future sale, transfer, or other disposition of any assets of GCI, subject to gaming regulatory approval.
RECENT EVENTS
In November, 2006, Edmonton city councillors voted to delay the sale of a piece of city land to the casino until they see its latest expansion plan, expected early in 2007.
In October, 2006, the River Cree Resort and Casino opened on the Enoch reserve just west of the City of Edmonton. In November, 2006, the Century Casino and Hotel opened in northeast Edmonton.
The AGLC web site reports that Baccarat casino is currently (May 30, 2006) seeking municipal approval to expand their casino facility.
On July 1, 2005, a ban on smoking in bars, casinos and bingo halls in the City of Edmonton came into effect.
In June 2005, Baccarat casino proposed demolishing its current facility and rebuilding a $55-million casino at the west end of their site near 104th Street. A Real Canadian Superstore (department store) would be built on the demolished casino site.
CASINO & RACINO COMPETITION
The Baccarat Casino operates in competition with four existing traditional Edmonton casinos, one Edmonton racino, and a First Nation casino on the Enoch reserve just west of the city limits. A seventh competitor is located in St. Albert, a city adjacent to Edmonton.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Gateway Casinos Income Fund web site
Big players tend to keep a low profile: FROM GRIME TO GLITZ/ Alberta's gaming industry has matured, moving from the dingy little gambling dens of 30 years ago to today's glamour palaces. Edmonton Journal, Aug 27, 2000. p. E8.
The ACES Who Hold The Cards; Edmonton-area casino owners are a diverse lot -- they include charities, sports groups, a restaurateur, Vancouver investors and a part-time elk rancher; WINNING NUMBERS:[FINAL Edition]DUNCAN THORNE, Journal Staff Writer. Edmonton Journal Edmonton, Alta.:Nov 9, 1996. p. H.1
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