Saskatchewan’s First Nation Gaming Revenue Payments Eclipse Budget By $46M
Posted on: March 18, 2026, 10:20h.
Last updated on: March 18, 2026, 10:20h.
- $153.5 in gaming revenue payments for FY 2025-26 will directly impact Saskatchewan First Nation and Metis organizations
- Increase in budgeted payments due to strong performance by the province’s land-based casinos and online gaming
- Fiscal Year 2024-25 number was $120.6 million
The Saskatchewan provincial government announced that the province’s First Nation and Métis organizations will be receiving CA $153.5 million in gaming revenue payments for the 2025-26 fiscal year, CA $46 million more than what was budgeted.
$33 Million Year-Over-Year Increase
The previous fiscal year, that number was at CA $120.6 million.
“Protecting the wellbeing and growth of First Nation and Métis communities in Saskatchewan is important to our government,” Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz said.
At a time when community strength is more vital than ever, these agreements ensure funding flows to the places where Indigenous people gather, celebrate and build strong futures. This increase of $46 million will help support programs and build opportunities that improve communities.”
In Saskatchewan, land-based casinos are operated by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and SaskGaming, the provincial crown corporation, under Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan.
9 Land-Based Casinos
SIGA, which launched in 1996, operates seven casinos in the province – slot machines, live table games, electronic table games, live entertainment, an array of lounges and restaurants – and the online gaming website PlayNow.com – the only legally operated online gaming and sports betting site in Saskatchewan. SIGA is a non-profit corporation which re-invests all net revenue back into Saskatchewan.
Those casinos include Dakota Dunes Resort & Casino on Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon, the Northern Lights Casino on the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Prince Albert, Gold Eagle Casino on the Mosquito First Nation in North Battleford, Living Sky Casino on the Nekaneet First Nation in Swift Current, the Painted Hand Casino on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation in Yorkton, the Bear Claw Casino on the White Bear First Nations near Carlyle and Gold Horse Casino on Little Pine Cree Nation in Lloydminster.
Dakota Dunes Expansion
Last June SIGA reported 2024-25 FY financial results – CA $378 million in gross revenue for the 2024-25 fiscal year (April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025), and net income of CA $146 million. That was the third consecutive year of record profits. Net income in the previous fiscal year was CA $139 million.
SaskGaming handles Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw. All of those entities combined performed at a level that led to the big uptick in gaming revenue payments, which feed back into First Nation communities.
In December, SIGA had a ribbon-cutting ceremony as Dakota Dunes Casino celebrated the Phase 1 expansion completion of the casino. Phase 1 completion saw the re-opening of a newly expanded Smoking Room, adding 11,500 feet of additional gaming floor space to the casino.
Distribution Model
This spring, the next phase is expected to be completed expanding the High Limit Room table game area at the casino, and this summer, plans for a new food and beverage area, with a newly refreshed Tim Hortons, Deli and Bar and teppanyaki style noodle bar.
Under the SIGA model, 50% of net revenue is redistributed to the First Nations Trust (then distributed to the 74 First Nations in the province), 25% to Community Development Corporations, which reinvests back into local community initiatives in regions surround the casino locations, and 25% to the provincial General Revenue Fund.
The Ministry of Government Relations distributes the funds according to the 2002 Gaming Framework Agreement and The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation Act.
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