BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership

BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership

As a result of amendments to the Gaming Control Act and the development of the Long-Term BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing and Financial Agreement, 2020, 7% of BC Lottery Corporation’s net income is being shared with First Nations through 2045.

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 member First Nations 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 under an interim agreement that was replaced by the Long-Term BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing and Financial Agreement, and is making a difference in communities throughout the province through the construction of new housing and community buildings, supports for families and new parents, programs to preserve and strengthen Indigenous languages, mental health services, grow business ventures, and much more.

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

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.

How is revenue distributed among 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.

Direct distribution to individuals is not permitted.

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

All gaming-revenue recipients have reporting requirements for the use of funds from gaming revenue.

First Nations that are part of the 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.

Where can I find information?

Please visit the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership website at www.bcfngamingrevenue.ca.