Presentation of the Hastings Racecourse & Casino Vancouver. The Hastings Racecourse is an establishment which has been involved in the horse racing operation since 1889. Casino gamblers meet at the slot floor featuring around 500 slot machines. 3 dining options are at your disposal: George Royal Room, Jerome's and the Eclipse Lounge. Hastings Racecourse is a horse track in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that features thoroughbred racing and is open Sun-Thu 10am-2am, Fri-Sat 10am-4am. The horse track racino's 42,000 square foot gaming space features 596 gaming machines. Hastings Racecourse & Casino is the city of Vancouver’s year round entertainment destination, featuring live horse racing, Simulcast Racing, and slots. The park has been capturing the imagination of Vancouverites and visitors alike since 1889. Just minutes from downtown Vancouver and one of only two places in B.C. To bet on live horse racing, Hastings Racecourse is a local landmark. Grab a bite, visit the gaming floor and go off to the races.
A New York–based alternative-management fund is betting big on the Canadian casino industry.
Apollo Global Management Inc. is buying all the shares of Toronto-based Great Canadian Gaming Corporation in a $3.3-billion deal. That's based on Apollo valuing GCC shares at $39.
Great Canadian operates Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, Hastings Racecourse & Casino, and River Rock Casino Resort in Metro Vancouver, as well as seven other casinos in B.C.
The company's business has been walloped by COVID-19. On March 16, the B.C. Lottery Corporation 'temporarily closed' casinos, community gaming centres, and bingo halls to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Great Canadian is a leader in the gaming and entertainment industry and, based on our experience and knowledge of the space, we see opportunities to work with their talented team to drive additional growth and value,' Apollo partner Alex van Hoek said in a GCC news release. 'With an industry-leading portfolio of assets and established presence in the best geographic markets across Canada, we are excited to help bring an enhanced experience to more guests across Canada.”
Late last month, Apollo announced that its total assets under management grew to US$433 billion in the most recent quarter. That was up US$102 billion from the end of 2019.
Great Canadian, formerly known as Great Canadian Casino, was founded in 1982 to operate charity casinos in B.C., including at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. Its first permanent casino opened in 1986 at the Holiday Inn on West Broadway in Vancouver.
A list of Great Canadian gambling locations is available here.
Former mayor made good money on the board
In 2004, it bought the Hastings Racecourse—the same year up to 600 slot machines were allowed there following a rezoning application to Vancouver city council.
Then mayor Larry Campbell cast the deciding vote in favour.
Three years after his mayoral term expired, Campbell was appointed to the Great Canadian board of directors while he was serving in the Canadian Senate.
In 2019, Sen. Campbell collected $187,500 as a Great Canadian director, according to the company's securities filings.
That was on top of his $150,600 salary as a senator.
According to the company's last management information circular, the former Mountie held more than $2.1 million in deferred share units in 2019.
Horgan promoted slot machines
Many British Columbians are not aware that Premier John Horgan played a critical role in a sophisticated lobbying effort back in 2004 to bring slot machines to the Hastings Racecourse.
He and his business partners' campaign enlisted a retired police sergeant, SFU criminologist Neil Boyd, and a former NDP cabinet minister, Ian Waddell, along with various community organizations.
'Our objective here was to bring those diverse groups together to see the benefit of allowing slot machines in Vancouver...city projects through increased revenue, a future for charitable organizations through a new facility, and jobs for trade unionists,' Horgan told the Straightat the time. 'Once the fabric all came together, the cloth looked pretty impressive for a majority of council, and that's why we were successful.'
Horgan's chief of staff, Geoff Meggs, was a senior staffer in Larry Campbell's office when the then mayor gave the green light to slot machines.
It’s almost time for everyone’s favourite Bavarian festival that involves steins, steins, and more steins (of beer).
This year, you can celebrate the affair on Saturday, September 29, at Oktoberfest Vancouver taking place at Hastings Racecourse. Tickets to this event are limited so you’ll want to get them before it’s too late.
Luckily for you, we’re giving away free tickets to the beer-inspired event so get your lederhosen ready for the occasion right now. You might even win a prize for best dressed if you do!
Oktoberfest Vancouver/Hastings Racecourse and Casino
Taste traditional fare, see the action of exciting horse races, dance to live music, and of course, enjoy a massive beer or two. The authentic experience at Oktoberfest Vancouver features four exclusive areas accessible only to ticketholders, each with their own special Parallel 49 brew.
If you’re not a fan of beer or traditional German food, check out the Wine Haus where they’ll be pouring Sawmill Creek sauvignon blanc and merlot. Foodwise, this area has traditional soft pretzels and a curated selection of premium cheeses.
Oktoberfest Vancouver/Hastings Racecourse and Casino
Tickets to Oktoberfest Vancouver are on sale now for $50 via Eventbrite. Your ticket includes a limited-edition Oktoberfest Vancouver beer stein, one food and two drink vouchers redeemable exclusively in the Oktoberfest event areas, $5 Win Bet wagering, and an official live racing program.
Or, you could enjoy the experience for free by winning a pair of tickets to the event. Enter the contest below for your chance to win.
Prost!
Prize
Hastings Racecourse Casino Vancouver British Columbia
Enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to Oktoberfest Vancouver at Hastings Racecourse on September 29, 2018. There are five pairs of tickets up for grabs.
Contest
To enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to Oktoberfest Vancouver at Hastings Racecourse on September 29, 2018, do at least one of the following;
1. Like Hastings Racecourse and Casino on Facebook – @HastingsRacecourse and tag three beer-loving friends in the comments below. (1 entry)
Hastings Racecourse Casino Vancouver Washington
2. Follow Hastings Racecourse and Casino on Instagram – @hastingsraces, like the following post and tag three beer-loving friends in the comments below. Remember to use the hashtag #dhcontest. (1 entry)
A post shared by Hastings Racecourse & Casino (@hastingsraces) on
3. Follow Hastings Racecourse and Casino on Twitter and tweet the following (1 entry):
Win a pair of tickets to Oktoberfest Vancouver at @HastingsRaces in #Vancouver on September 29, via @DailyHiveVan RT to enter!
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on September 25, 2018. Five winners will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
Oktoberfest Vancouver at Hastings Racecourse
Hastings Racecourse Casino Vancouver Toronto
When: Saturday, September 29
Time: 12 to 6 pm
Where: Hastings Racecourse – 188 North Renfrew Street
Price: $50 – Tickets available via Eventbrite