Several chiefs, First Nation Elders and other officials were on hand at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority’s new casino in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. The new facility will be the seventh SIGA casino located in Saskatchewan.
SIGA board chair Chief Reginald Bellerose said, “On behalf of SIGA, we’re excited to officially be in the ground and to continue working with the Border Tribal Council to make this development a reality. This casino will not only benefit the community of Lloydminster but all First Nations of Saskatchewan, and is only possible through the positive partnerships between the FSIN, Border Tribal Council, Little Pine First Nation and the City of Lloydminster.”
SIGA President and Chief Executive Officer Zane Hansen added, “The new casino will have significant benefits for Lloydminster. It will create local employment, provide funding for city services, non-profit and charitable organizations and it will support local businesses through service agreements and by attracting tourism dollars to the community.”
The new casino is being built on land owned by Little Pine First Nation, which will oversee site development. The Border Tribal Council will be the facility landlord and will lease the property to SIGA, which will operate the casino. Both SIGA and the Border Tribal Council will be responsible for facility development.
Like other SIGA casinos, 50 percent of the new casino’s profits will be shared with the First Nations Trust and distributed to Saskatchewan First Nation communities; 25 percent will be shared with a regional community development corporation; and 25 percent will be shared with the provincial government’s general revenue fund.
SIGA operates the Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford, as well as casinos in Prince Albert, Swift Current, Yorkton, and Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon and on White Bear First Nation near Carlyle.
