All casinos, online gaming could provide economic boom for First Nations

The Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is pushing for First Nations to get into the business of internet gambling.

FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild would also like to see First Nations operating all of the casinos in the province.
“We think it’s time because of market saturation that First Nations look at being the sole operator of all casinos in the province,” he said.

Lonechild said FSIN has sent a letter to the province outlining its plan to expand gambling in Saskatchewan.
“I’m hoping one day in the next few years that we would look at not competing against one another but operating these casinos for a better, stronger bottom line and improving the employment rate for First Nations and MÈtis people there,” said Lonechild.

Currently, six casinos in the province are operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. Casinos in Regina and Moose Jaw are owned by the province.
Lonechild is certain First Nations employment could increase if SIGA were to operate all casinos in Saskatchewan.

Right now he said approximately 68 to 70 per cent of employees at SIGA-run casinos are Aboriginal. Howver, Aboriginal employment at the Regina and Moose Jaw casinos is about 40 per cent.

Lonechild also said there are major profits to be earned in online gambling.

“Approximately $30 million is leaving the province of Saskatchewan because of gambling sites offered from other provinces so this is something we need to get into,” he said.

Lonechild admitted he does have some concerns with problem gambling, but said if First Nations get into online gaming, he would ensure that adequate counseling and support would be offered as well.

“We’ll be looking at the First Nations Addictions and Rehabilitation Foundation playing a lead role and looking at better policy and player development in terms of the services and awareness campaigns that are provided,” said Lonechild.

Premier Brad Wall said he is willing to discuss possibilities with First Nations, but the province has no plans to hand the jurisdiction of casinos over to First Nations.

“It would require effectively a privatization and that is something we said in the campaigns that we’re not interested in and we have been pretty consistent with keeping that promise so that would be the short answer to that,” said Wall.

Wall added that internet gambling was not on the government’s radar.

“It’s not on our top priority list to move forward with online gaming, but we’ll sit down and have the discussion and hear what research they have done,” he said.

Lonechild said there is no timeline attached to starting online gaming, but he is hoping to start a dialogue about some of the possibilities.

“It’s a matter of us doing our due diligence in choosing the right one — one with a credible and sound reputation in the gaming industry. We’re kind of looking at whole scope of who would partner with Saskatchewan and First Nations,” said Lonechild.