SIGA reports record profits

For the 2011/2012 fiscal year, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority earned $267.2 million, with a profit of $81.6 million. The revenue total represented an increase of 27 per cent over the previous year’s net earnings. SIGA’s net earnings have been boosted by expansions, which were undertaken from 2006 to 2009. In that time span, SIGA expanded operations with the openings of Dakota Dunes Casino at Whitecap Dakota First Nation and Living Sky Casino in Swift Current. SIGA also rebuilt Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton. Every project was created in partnership with a First Nation. “Those projects have doubled the company’s size, created 800 additional jobs and resulted in approximately $125 million in on-reserve economic investment,” said Zane Hansen, SIGA president and CEO. SIGA now employs over 1,900 people and with over 1,300 First Nations employees, SIGA is one of the largest First Nations employers in Canada. All profits from SIGA’s gaming operations are administered by the Province of Saskatchewan with a portion meted out to First Nations.