First Nations gaming agreement extended to 2037 – Starphoenix

November 2, 2017

First Nations and the Saskatchewan government have renewed their gaming framework agreement, extending it to 2037, 10 years beyond the original 2002 agreement’s 25-year end date.

Chiefs in assembly gave the go-ahead last week for the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) to sign the extended agreement, which they’d sought to provide stability for casino operators arranging financing for projects, such as the new casino being built in Lloydminster, said Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of the Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).

The agreement’s extended time frame is “some progress” for First Nations but it failed to meet their long-held desire to eliminate, or at least reduce, the 25 per cent of profits it provides to the province.

“The 10-year extension, that’s the only progress. It’s not much. We were anticipating a lot more, like we always have. Either the whole 25 per cent back or we kick it down to 15 per cent so we can invest in our communities,” Cameron said.