SIGA to open gaming centre on Flying Dust First Nation

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) have been extended their exclusive rights to operate online gaming in the province.

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) amended their Gaming Framework Agreement (GFA) grants SIGA’s online gaming exclusivity until September 2029.

The agreement also allows a gaming centre pilot project to be developed on Flying Dust First Nation.

“We welcome the three-year extension of SIGA’s operation of Saskatchewan’s only licensed and regulated online gaming platform, which reflects SIGA’s strong leadership and successful operation of the platform,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in a statement.

The new gaming centre pilot project on Flying Dust First Nation will have up to 49 slot machines. The gaming centre is expected to be part of a larger commercial development on the First Nation, which may include a strip mall, hotel, and conference centre.

“The project will be an important part of a new hotel development that will better serve the people of Meadow Lake and northwest Saskatchewan,” said Cameron.

“The benefits of this growth will extend beyond the host community, with the First Nations’ share of gaming profits distributed equitably among Saskatchewan First Nations throughout Treaty 4,5,6,8, and 10 territories.”

Leaders from Flying Dust First Nation anticipated it would take roughly six months to construct the new 6,000 square foot gaming centre.

In June, SIGA announced a record $418 million in gross revenue, and $167 million in a final distribution of income for its 2025-26 fiscal year (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026).

SIGA’s PlayNow online platform generated $31.59 million in gross gaming revenue and $804 million in total wagers in their most recent fiscal year. Since the platform has launched in 2022, over 59,000 registered users have signed up to the platform.

“Our government has built a successful gaming industry in Saskatchewan in partnership with the FSIN through good-faith negotiations and incremental change,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister for Lotteries and Gaming in Saskatchewan.

“The gaming sector provides significant First Nations employment and supports economic development on and off reserve, while funding education, housing, and other priorities,” said Harrison.

As SIGA operates as a non-profit corporation, all of its net income is reinvested back into Saskatchewan. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, they distributed $83.5 million to the First Nations trusts for priorities like housing, infrastructure, education, and social programs across the 74 First Nations; $41.75 to Community Development Corporations; and $41.75 to the General Revenue Fund to support Saskatchewan healthcare, education, and public services.