Opinion – Bill’s Right On Blog: Why SIGA deal to buy Casino Regina should go through

The Government of Saskatchewan may be considering a sale of Casino Regina and Moose Jaw to the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and have already signed a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) yesterday. This MOU talks about the importance increasing First Nation’s engagements in the Saskatchewan economy to provide an avenue of support for education, employment and economic development for First Nations. It would appear that the government of Saskatchewan is prepared to engage in discussions about this matter now. We could see SIGA becoming the sole provider of gaming entertainment here in the next short while.

This really falls in line with the smaller government values that the Saskatchewan Party operates by and encouraging private business to flourish by not offering a government sponsored competitor in the same market. This MOU discusses the provisions relating to distribution of annual profits, how many gaming machines may be operated by SIGA and agreements to ensure profits make it to communities through the community development corporations.

Of course this good news doesn’t come without strings, mainly SIGA will still be subject to an audit oversight by the provincial auditor of Saskatchewan, the management and conduct of gaming machines will still be regulated by the government, 50% mark of aboriginal employment must continue to be met and the casinos must remain non-smoking.

The Saskatchewan Government must still amend its legislative statutory agreements to proceed with this transaction but if the legislative assembly which is majority controlled by the Saskatchewan Party decides it isn’t a good deal and refuses to change the statues, this sale could still fall through. This could put the New Democratic Party (NDP) in an interesting position if they decided to oppose the sale, the nine members including Warren McCall may have to vote against the sale. (UPDATE: According to Leader-Post, NDP leader Cam Broten has already stated that he won’t back the deal)

With the federal conservatives finally deciding to raise the 2% education cap to 4.5% (remember the liberals were in power for many years and didn’t do anything) as well as many other positive developments in the new First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act and now the Saskatchewan Party agreeing to explore selling its two casinos to SIGA many aboriginals may be feeling like they are waking up in Bizarro World.

By Bill Stevenson, Bill’s Right On Blog!

Disclaimer: The views represented here are that of Bill Stevenson only and do not reflect RezX as a company or magazine. This is his own blog to write about a variety of issues from his own perspective.