The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority recently approved the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority’s proposal for a million casino in Lloydminster. It will be the Canadian province’s ninth casino and the SIGA’s seventh. Don McMorris, the minister of the provincial government’s Crown Investments, which is responsible for the SLGA, said, “There are negotiations that have to happen between SLGA and SIGA for that casino to continue to move forward. But from the consultation and the feedback we had from the Lloydminster council, we’re suggesting that move forward.”
The proposed venue—which has yet to be named–will be built on land owned by the Little Pine First Nation and in partnership with area’s 12 First Nations. The land will be leased to the SIGA, which will share revenue with the surrounding municipality instead of paying property taxes.
Pending approvals, SIGA officials said the 31,000 square foot casino will open in 2017, with 250 gaming machines, up to eight table games, a 120-room hotel, restaurant, entertainment area, food and beverage concession and a gas station and convenience store. It will create 140 new jobs. About 60 percent of the new casino’s 1,200-1,500 visitors are expected to come from Alberta. SIGA officials noted 57,000 people live within an hour’s drive of the new casino.
The SIGA was created 20 years ago by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations to manage and operate reservation casinos located in the province.
