BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership

First Nations in B.C. can join the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership (www.bcfngamingrevenue.ca) to access a stable, long-term source of funding to invest in their communities’ priorities.

A dependable, predictable source of revenue supports critical government services such as infrastructure, services that build healthy communities, and the staff to get it done. The first funding was transferred in 2019 and is starting to make a difference in communities, through projects such as new housing, a community youth centre, wildfire protection and important language programs.

As a result of amendments to the Gaming Control Act and a long-term agreement, 7% of BC Lottery Corporation’s net income will be shared with First Nations through 2045.

• Long-Term BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing and Financial Agreement (951KB, PDF)

The funds flow through the First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership, established by the First Nations Gaming Commission. The limited partnership is owned by First Nations and overseen by a First Nations-appointed board of directors. Its role is to manage and distribute the funds to eligible First Nations.

Who is eligible for gaming revenue sharing?

First Nations communities – bands under the federal Indian Act, modern treaty First Nations, and defined non-treaty self-governing Nations – are eligible for a portion of gaming revenue.

First Nations that are partners in the limited partnership receive a share of the gaming revenue collected by the Province and transferred to the limited partnership.

Are there conditions for how the money may be spent by First Nations?

B.C. First Nations determine their own priorities for these funds, which may be spent in six areas:

• health and wellness;
• infrastructure, safety, transportation and housing;
• economic and business development;
• education, language, culture and training;
• community development and environmental protection; and
• capacity-building, fiscal management and governance.

Direct distribution to individuals is not permitted.

How is revenue distributed among B.C.’s First Nations?

Funding is distributed to communities based on a formula developed by the First Nations Gaming Commission in consultation with First Nations:

• 50% base funding (divided equally among partner First Nations, including modern Treaty Nations);
• 40% based on population (Indigenous peoples registered under the Indian Act and registered members of Treaty Nations); and
• 10% for geographically remote communities.

What is the status of reporting and accountability under the agreement?

All gaming-revenue recipients, such as municipal government and non-profit organizations, have reporting requirements for the use of funds from gaming revenue.

First Nations that are part of the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership are accountable for reporting to the partnership. An annual audited spending statement from each First Nation confirms how gaming revenue was spent in their communities.

The limited partnership provides a report to the Province each year on the transfers and annual financial statements related to its own operations and expenses.

Is government replacing existing funding for First Nations with this new source of funding?

There will be no reduction in any other provincial funding to First Nations as the result of the gaming revenue-sharing agreement.

Funding provided through the gaming arrangement will be incremental to existing provincial funding that First Nations communities receive.

Where can I find information about how to access a share of gaming revenue for my community?

Go to the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership website at www.bcfngamingrevenue.ca.