SIGA provides online gaming platform, planning to expand worldwide
- Rose Mansbridge-Goldie | September 24, 2021
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has struck a deal to deliver online gaming and sports betting to the province.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and the Government of Saskatchewan have signed an amendment to the gaming framework agreement, deciding on a 50/50 revenue split for the upcoming website.
"This is a historical agreement, the first of it's kind not only in Saskatchewan but in Canada," FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said.
The added revenue from online gaming and sports betting will increase SIGA's ability as a non-profit to support good quality of life on the 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, SIGA Chair Chief Reginald Bellerose said.
He hopes the site will bring in an extra $20-$25 million on top of their existing revenue from their seven existing casinos and said employment for the website will be tech-savvy careers.
The site will focus on Saskatchewan for now but there is room to expand.
"We want to take this worldwide. That's our next vision," Cameron said.
Revenues of online gaming would not be affected by a lockdown which ensures a consistent stream of money being put back into communities.
"We would like to generate billions of dollars for our 74 First Nations," Cameron said.
Anyone with a "Players Club Card" from any of SIGA's casinos will be able to use that to get into the site where there will be online versions of the games, plus online sports betting.
SIGA and the provincial government have a long history of partnership dating back to 1994.
"SIGA has earned their reputation as a gaming organization and we're excited to move forward with them on this new venture," Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) Minister Jim Reiter said.
The site will be regulated by SaskGaming to ensure safe, secure play.
"This is what true partnership looks like—you put your differences aside and work together for the good of the people," Cameron said.
A website developer will be chosen in the coming months and the site is expected to launch next year.