What's the future of Casinos Regina & Moose Jaw?
- EFN Staff | February 13, 2014
The Casino Regina is a flagship gaming operation in a beautiful historic building. Casino Moose Jaw could be considered Casino Regina's ugly little sister...dumpy, dusty and small. Regardless of their differences, together they sure do make an attractive pair to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and SIGA.
FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde approached Premier Brad Wall in January about SIGA purchasing those two casinos to add to its current stable of six casinos. Premier Wall was for it. The casinos and SIGA bring so much to the community and provide funds for sport, youth, culture and education that are pivotal to communities. Premier Wall asked the NDP to help support the deal. You have to remember that the province has a law on the books that makes it illegal to sell our Crown corporations. Premier Brad Wall wanted to include the NDP so there could be a unanimous vote.
NDP Leader Cam Broten is calling on the government to release the full details of its agreement and says he will not support the rushed, secret deal to sell valuable public assets.
"Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw belong to the people of Saskatchewan," says Broten. "They're profitable. They help fund health care, schools and community initiatives. As far as I'm concerned, theyre not for sale."
As it stands now, the deal is dead or in limbo. Regardless, the talk has begun and the process is far from over. This is becoming a well-discussed topic at the FSIN Winter Assembly February 12 and 13 as well as on coffee row all around the province.
SaskGaming brought in $137.2 million in revenue in 2012 alone, totalling $52.6 million in profit. SaskGaming also has $78.7 million in assets. The government claimed last week the sale price would be between $100 and $200 million.