South Beach Casino
South Beach Casino and Resort is a hotel/casino located in Scanterbury, Manitoba, and began operation in May 28, 2005, and is still in operation today. Often simply referred to as South Beach, it is one of two Manitoba First Nation–owned casinos in the province.[1]
Charity
South Beach is owned by 7 Manitoba First Nations.[2]
Location
South Beach is located on Manitoba Highway 59, 70 km or one hour northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba, at coordinates 50°21′40.4″N 96°37′19.9″W.
Ownership and management
South Beach is owned by seven Manitoba First Nations that fall under the umbrella of the Southeast Resource Development Council Corp. The First Nations are Black River First Nation, Bloodvein First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Hollow Water First Nation, Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Pauingassi First Nation and Poplar River First Nation.[1]
South Beach was developed by an American based company called Hemisphere Gaming from Minnesota. South Beach has a management agreement with Hemisphere until 2028.[3]
Casino
The casino portion of South Beach is in operation 362 days a year. Closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. The casino has roughly 40,000+ square feet. It is a smoke-free environment. It operates 600 slot machines, blackjack tables, other gambling tables as well as a live poker room.[1]
Resort
The resort portion of South Beach is in operation 365 days a year. It is fashioned in an Art-Deco design and tropical motif featuring a range of rooms which go from standard or deluxe rooms all the way to "grand" suites. It features a "tropical" pool and cascading "waterfall", various ball/convention rooms, restaurant, and a lounge featuring live entertainment.[1]
Rating
Expedia Canada rates it as an 8 out of 10. Tripadvisor Canada rates it as 4.5 out of 5. The average rating is above 4 and a quarter out of 5 stars.[4][5]
Business
The seven Manitoba First Nations collectively sought out a loan to help fund and build the casino and resort. This was considered a high-risk venture and no one was willing to assist in its development.[6]
Hemisphere Gaming of Minnesota was the only company that was willing to fund and help build South Beach Casino and Resort.[6]
Controversy
It was revealed by CBC News that profits are being handed over to management. Only a tiny fraction of profits were actually benefiting the First Nation owners.[6]
It was also revealed that the majority of the profits were leaving Canada and were being forwarded to Hemisphere Gaming of Minnesota in the United States. Founders and executives of Hemisphere Companies can be traced to Iran in the middle east.[7][8] Hemisphere Companies is a company that is not owned by any First Nations or American Indians.
Controversy included the comparison of Non-First Nation and/or Non-Canadian management fees of nearly $33 million compared to the annual individual First Nation owner share payout of $100.[6]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 http://www.serdc.mb.ca/programs-and-services/south-beach-casino
- ↑ "Confusion in the NDP's Native Casino File". Winnipeg Free Press. 2007-08-17.
- ↑ http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/Assembly-of-Manitoba-Chiefs-signs-contract-for-casino-at-Carberry-176756281.html?thx=y
- ↑ http://www.expedia.ca/Lake-Winnipeg-Hotels-South-Beach-Casino-Resort.h2514037.Hotel-Information
- ↑ http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g1204840-d1199259-Reviews-South_Beach_Casino_and_Resort-Scanterbury_Manitoba.html
- 1 2 3 4 "Management fees eat up First Nation casino profits", CBC News, October 17, 2011. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/not-all-first-nations-reaping-casino-benefits-1.1069064
- ↑ http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/chiefs-sign-deal-for-casino-176913991.html?device=mobile&utm_source=wfp&utm_medium=nextArticleDirect&utm_campaign=/local
External links
Coordinates: 50°21′40″N 96°37′18″W / 50.3610°N 96.6217°W