MBLL, the LGCA and First Nations casinos

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, or MBLL, has the exclusive authority to conduct and manage lottery schemes for the government in Manitoba. It operates three Winnipeg venues itself: Club Regent Casino, McPhillips Station Casino and the Shark Club Gaming Centre. At the First Nations casinos, MBLL conducts and manages the games under agreements. Those premises are owned or operated by a licensed gaming operator. MBLL also places VLTs in hotels, lounges and legions across the province.

The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba, the LGCA, sits on the other side of the table. It regulates liquor, gaming, cannabis and horse racing, and licenses casinos and gaming industry employees. Horse racing joined its remit in 2022. All horse race tracks and betting theatres in Manitoba hold LGCA licences.

Revenue from the casinos returns to the province for health care, education, social and community services, economic development and public safety.

The path to First Nations casinos was set in two steps. In 2000, a selection committee recommended five First Nations casino developments. In 2001, the Comprehensive Provincial Framework Agreement and the Conduct and Management Agreement set the framework for First Nations casinos.

Three have opened since. Aseneskak Casino opened at Opaskwayak Cree Nation in 2002, owned by a partnership of First Nations. It was Manitoba's first First Nations casino. South Beach Casino & Resort followed in 2005 on the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, owned by seven First Nations. Sand Hills Casino opened in 2014 near Carberry, owned by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

The AMC and the province hold that any new First Nations casino is owned equally by all First Nations. Revenue is shared equally, and that position was applied to Sand Hills. Out at the VLT sites, First Nations siteholders follow LGCA terms and conditions.

Manitoba's legal age for gambling is 18. The Interpretation Act defines a minor as a person under 18. Section 98(1) of the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act says minors must not take part in provincial gaming. Anyone who appears to be a minor must produce prescribed ID. Minors seeking to enter casino premises must be asked to leave.

Regulator research says people aged 18 to 24, especially males, are at higher risk of gambling harm. They are also more likely to use unregulated sites. A 2026 amendment lets MBLL run gaming in a licensed gaming centre provider's premises, though no such venue was identified.