Sheila Bautz
Special to the Herald
The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan’s (LGS’s) 2024-25 Annual Report was released on June 23. The recent report revealed a revenue of $742.6 million before the distributions of payments to various organizations and initiatives.
During the 2025-26 Provincial Budget for the LGS, the Government of Saskatchewan committed $284.9 million in targeted funding for First Nations and Métis organizations in the province, along with their programs and supports.
The payment disbursements include $135.0 million to the Saskatchewan’s General Revenue Fund (GRF). Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis organizations will receive $107.4 million in gaming payments due to Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) casinos, SaskGaming casinos and the PlayNow.com online platform.
“The Gaming Framework Agreement ensures continued investment for First Nations and Métis communities, supporting vital programs and cultural initiatives throughout Saskatchewan,” announced Eric Schmalz, the Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis, and Northern Affairs. “This is an increase of nearly $16.3 million over the 2024-25 budget, which will go into programs that help make Saskatchewan stronger.”
The provincial government department responsible for overseeing the distribution of the lottery and gaming revenue funds is the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations. The funds are disbursed in accordance with The 2002 Gaming Framework Agreement and The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation Act. The resulting payments are allocated to the First Nations Trust, Community Development Corporations and the Clarence Campeau Development Fund.
The LGS’s report details the first full year of operations for the organization and discloses the dividends to LGS’s shareholder, Crown Investments Corporation (CIC). The CIC dividend amount is $190.0 million. This amount is reported by the government to be the largest annual dividend declared by any commercial Crown corporation in the CIC’s history.
“The record payments provided by Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan in 2024-25 delivered a better quality of life for Saskatchewan families,” said Jeremy Harrison, the Minister Responsible for Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS). “More than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups benefited from $71.9 million in payments and $7.8 million in charitable gaming grants supported over 2,700 non-profit and charitable organizations throughout our province. Historic dividends also enabled our government to make important investments in priority areas including affordability, health care, education and community safety.”
The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) department was established in 2023. The role of LGS is to be the provider of conduct and management for casinos, VLTs, lotteries and online gaming in Saskatchewan. The role includes the oversight of PlayNow, the province’s only legal online gaming platform.
“Our vision, mission, and values are designed to align with Government direction and meet the needs of our partners by making the greatest possible contribution to the economic and social well-being of the Province of Saskatchewan,” states the LGS public website, “as well as engage and inspire employees, generate customer loyalty, and chart a course towards a sustainable, entertaining, and socially responsible provincial gaming sector,”
The announcement of the success is delivered by the LGS on behalf of the people and businesses of Saskatchewan. The partnership is established with the four gaming operators that include SaskGaming, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC), and Sask Sport.
“These stellar results were driven by increased guest spending in land-based casinos, online gaming, and VLTs resulting from strong economic conditions in the province,” said Susan Flett, CEO and President of Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan. “LGS also delivered for local businesses across the province this fiscal year with commissions totaling $61.1 million earned by VLT site contractors and lottery retailers.”
Last year, the 2024-25 report revealed the detailed distribution of the proceeds from the collection of lotteries and gaming. The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) paid the Crown Investment Corporation $190 million. The report states that a majority of the millions in funds flowed to the province’s General Revenue Fund (GRF) to assist with funding the Government of Saskatchewan’s priorities.
The First Nations Trust received $81.2 million to distribute the proceeds to the Saskatchewan First Nations. The allocated funding is utilized in a wide range of purposes to benefit Indigenous communities.
Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association received $71.9 million. The proceeds assisted in supporting over 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups across Saskatchewan in various communities.
Site contractors for 560 VLT sites earned $47.4 million in commissions. One thousand lottery retailers in Saskatchewan received $13.7 million in commissions.
The Community Development Corporations received $32.7 million. The organization distributes a portion of casino profits to First Nation and non-First Nation organizations in communities with SIGA casinos.
The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) distributed $11.1 million for community sponsorships and exhibition association payments from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and SaskGaming, which are two land-based casino operators in the province. An additional $7.8 million was paid by LGS for charitable gaming grants to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
The Community Initiative Fund received $7.2 million. The Fund is designated to offer financial support for Saskatchewan community projects. SaskSport paid LGS $6.7 million from lottery licensing fees to the General Revenue Fund (GRF) to assist in funding provincial government priorities.
In addition, $3.0 million was disbursed to the First Nations Addictions Rehabilitation Foundation. The Clarence Campeau Development Fund received $4.2 million to provide financial assistant in support of Métis businesses, entrepreneurs and communities.
The Government of Saskatchewan released in a public statement about their pledge to the residents of the province. In the statement, the provincial government pledges to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to support economic, social, educational and cultural initiatives within Indigenous communities across the province.
