The house can win or lose in Fort St John’s Chances Casino, but quarterly distributions will be due, and for the first quarter of 2025, the casino paid the city $183,052.40.
Each quarter, gambling organizations must pay the British Columbia Lottery Corporation a certain amount, which is determined by the corporation’s formula. After the BCLC receives the funds they distribute 10 per cent, with occasional adjustments, to the local governments of the cities who allow casinos to operate.
The casino, which is attached to the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre, reported over $3.9 million in total revenue this quarter, with $3.6 million coming from the 154 slot and electronic games available for play.
Chances paid over $1.8 million to the Crown Corporation for April to June of this year, and Fort St John received its whole, unadjusted, 10 per cent share – when compared to the casino’s quarterly revenue, the city received 4.66 per cent.
The remaining 90 per cent of funds, which make up the province’s split of the revenue, go towards supporting public services, including healthcare, education, and community programs.
For the 2024-2025 financial year, Fort St John received a total of $736,678.35, which was about 5 per cent of the casino’s total revenue from April 2024 to March 2025.
Compared to this quarter last year, the city’s 2025 revenue decreased by almost $30,000, though it is an improvement from the Crown Corporation’s last payment, when the city received slightly less than $160,000.
