The owners of St. Albert’s Apex Casino have cashed out and sold their digs to an international gaming conglomerate.
Century Casinos Inc. announced Thursday that it had inked a deal to buy the Apex Casino for $27.9 million. The deal is subject to approval by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.
Century Casinos is an international casino entertainment company with holdings in Canada, the U.S., Poland, and the Caribbean. It owns casinos in Edmonton and Calgary.
The Apex Casino is a 34,500-square-foot complex that features 382 slot machines, 11 live game tables, a restaurant, banquet hall, and other facilities. In operation for more than 20 years, it has previously been known as the Gold Dust Casino and the McPherson Casino.
Geoff Smith, managing director of the company’s Alberta branch, said they started talks to buy the casino earlier this year.
“It’s a well-run operation and it’s been solid in that market area since 1994,” he said, and gives the company presence to the northwest part of Edmonton. The casino is located in what is consistently ranked as one of the top five places to live in Canada, and is next to the soon-to-be-complete Anthony Henday, along which there is a considerable amount of housing development.
“We believe we’ll be able to get some good synergies of operations and marketing efforts between our two Edmonton-area locations.”
Assuming the deal is approved, Smith said the casino would likely be renovated and renamed to “Century Casino” to fit the company’s theme.
There was “zero chance” that staffers would be laid off after the sale, he added.
“We see (the operation) as growing. We need the wisdom and customers services they already offer.”
Bruce McPherson, owner of the Apex Casino, could not be reached for comment by presstime.
