Canada: SIGA casinos turn 26 readying for iGaming as they seek to return to pre-pandemic growth

Two Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) casinos are turning 26 this month: the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert and the Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford, which both opened in March of 1996. The venues are now looking towards the future, in an effort to get business back on track to pre-pandemic growth.

The Gold Eagle has added a restaurant to its offering, plus an event center that contributes to the city's nightlife. The original casino building has also been expanded throughout its more than two decades of life. However, it currently has 140 working on staff, less than half the 300 people employed pre-pandemic, general manager Kelly Atcheynum told MBC Radio.

“It hasn’t rebounded yet, but we are working on it and I know it’s going to take quite a bit of work and planning and what not to get back to pre COVID numbers,” he said about the business. One possible contributor to this effort could be iGaming: SIGA has signed an agreement with the provincial government to offer online gaming in Saskatchewan.

Gold Eagle Casino interior

“I think with online gaming, it's going to help us, we still have the patrons that like the human touch and coming out and having excitement and being with members of the community, so overall I think it’s going to be a plus for us,” he further told the cited source.

The Northern Lights Casino has also come a long way since first opening in 1996, with 250 VLTs and 20 plus tables. Richard Ahenakew, general manager for the Prince Albert venue, says the business does well when the community does well, and expects an increase in business if more tourists arrive and events happen. In regards to iGaming, he sees it as part of industry progress.

“I don’t see it as being detrimental; I think our people who like brick and mortar are still going to come and we’re still going to continue to grow as time goes on, on both the online presence and brick and mortar presence,” he told MBC Radio, remarking both retail and online operations can complement each other.

The 42,000-square-foot facility includes a casino with 590 slot machines and 11 table games; a lounge; and a restaurant. A 4,500-square-foot expansion was opened in January 2011, featuring 203 additional slot machines and a smoking room.

Northern Lights Casino interior

Non-profit organization SIGA was established to create employment for First Nation people, generate positive revenues for First Nations, and to partner on economic development projects benefiting shareholders and communities. The Gaming Authority operates a total of seven entertainment destinations throughout Saskatchewan.

The other casinos are Bear Claw Casino in Carlyle, Gold Horse Casino in Lloydminster, Dakota Dunes Casino in Saskatoon, Living Sky Casino in Swift Current and Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton.

A legal framework for a new online gaming site, to be operated by SIGA and managed by SaskGaming, was signed with the government in September last year. The site, to feature iGaming and sports betting, is set to launch this year and establishes a 50/50 revenue split with the province.