<p>VICI Properties has completed the sale and leaseback of three casinos in Alberta, Canada, as part of a CA$200.6m ($144.4m) transaction. The deal involves the real estate assets of Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Great Northern Casino, and two limited-service hotels in the province. The transaction is linked to Pure Casino Entertainment Partnership’s take-private acquisition of Gamehost, a move that reshapes the ownership structure of these gaming properties.</p><p>The completion of this sale-leaseback arrangement marks a significant step in VICI Properties’ expansion into the Canadian gaming market. VICI, a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on gaming and hospitality properties, has been actively acquiring assets in North America. The Alberta properties will now be leased back to the operators, providing VICI with a steady stream of rental income while allowing the casino operators to free up capital for other investments.</p><p>Pure Casino Entertainment Partnership’s take-private acquisition of Gamehost, which owns and operates the three casinos, was a key driver of this transaction. By acquiring Gamehost, Pure Casino Entertainment gains control of these Alberta gaming venues, and the sale-leaseback with VICI Properties provides the financing structure for the deal. This type of arrangement is common in the gaming industry, where operators sell their real estate to a REIT and then lease it back, allowing them to focus on core operations while the REIT manages the property assets.</p><p>The Alberta gaming market has seen increased activity in recent years, with several operators expanding their presence in the province. The sale-leaseback of these casinos is expected to provide stability for the properties and support ongoing operations. VICI Properties’ involvement brings a major institutional investor into the Canadian gaming landscape, potentially paving the way for further transactions in the region.</p><p>Industry observers will be watching to see if this deal triggers additional sale-leaseback transactions in Canada, as operators seek to optimize their balance sheets. VICI Properties has a track record of acquiring gaming properties in the United States, and its entry into Canada signals confidence in the market’s growth prospects. The completion of this transaction underscores the continued appeal of gaming real estate as an asset class for institutional investors.</p>