Saskatchewan Reports Big Drop in Charitable Gaming Grants
Posted on: February 3, 2026, 02:42h.
Last updated on: February 3, 2026, 02:42h.
- Provincial charitable gaming grants drop to $329,000 in Q3, down from $2.2m
- LGS grants top up money raised by charitable groups across the province
- Money distributed to over 100 Saskatchewan communities
Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) is reporting a big drop in charitable gaming grants in the third quarter of 2025-26 – $329,000, compared to $2.2 million in Q2.
More than 300 groups and organizations benefitted from the grants, sent out to more than 100 communities across the province.
Reason for the Decrease
When asked for a reason for why the drop in grants in Q3 (the province also saw $2.49 in charitable gaming grants in Q1 2025-26), a spokesperson said this:
The amount reported third quarter period of 2025 is noticeably lower this time because of changes to reporting and tracking processes on the accounting side, and cheques being sent out in the first week of January instead of the last week of December. The next reporting period will have a larger amount as a result.”
Canadian Gaming: Community Support
LGS is a Crown corporation, and handles management and oversight for all gaming, including casinos, VLTs, lotteries, and online gambling in the province.
There are two main operators: SaskGaming (a wholly owned subsidiary of LGS) runs the Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw provincial casinos, handling day-to-day operations, entertainment, dining, and games there.
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), owned by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), a First Nations-owned non-profit, operates seven casinos across the province in partnership with LGS, offering slot machines, live table games, electronic table games, live entertainment, and an array of lounges and restaurants. It also operates the online gaming website PlayNow.com.
100 Saskatchewan Communities Benefit
The SIGA-run casinos are Gold Horse Casino (Lloydminster), Gold Eagle Casino (North Battleford), Northern Lights Casino (Prince Albert), Living Sky Casino (Swift Current), Painted Hand Casino (Yorkton), Bear Claw Casino (near Carlyle), and Dakota Dunes Casino (south of Saskatoon).
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) handles the independent regulatory side, licensing, compliance with laws in the province. The proceeds from casino operations go back to First Nations, charities, sports, and the province.
Topping Up Amounts Already Raised
The charitable grants are paid to groups and organizations that conduct licensed charitable gaming activities like bingo, raffles, poker tournaments and Monte Carlo events. LGS tops up what these groups and organizations raise from their activities. The grants are equal to 25% of the net revenue raised by each charitable event – to a maximum of $100,000 per group or organization annually.
Our government is committed to the people of Saskatchewan and charitable gaming grants are one of the ways in which we deliver on that commitment,” said Minister Responsible for LGS Jeremy Harrison. “These gaming grants support charitable and nonprofit organizations involved in a diverse range of activities, including arts, culture and sport, hospital foundations, service clubs and more.”
More specifically, $49,911 was distributed to groups in Saskatoon, and $47,054 went to groups in Regina. Humboldt and area received more than $46,028, Prince Albert and area received more than $22,423, and Weyburn, Estevan and area took in more than $25,256.
SLGA calculates the amount of money each charity receives, working off of financial reports and other information provided to them.
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