About SIGA
A game-changer for Saskatchewan people, communities and businesses.
As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of our net income goes back to our communities.VISION
The leading First Nation organization driving innovation and opportunity in gaming entertainment.
Our mission & Values
- Create employment opportunities for First Nation people
- Generate positive revenues for First Nations
- Partner on economic development projects that benefit our shareholders and communities
MISSION
SIGA will deliver a distinctive gaming entertainment experience that reflects our First Nation values.From this we will strengthen the lives of First Nation people through employment, economic growth, positive community relations and financial self-reliance.
OUR MANDATE
A non-profit organization, 100 per cent of our net income goes back to our communities.
Our guiding principles
As a First Nations organization employing First Nations people, SIGA has adopted five principles to encourage balance, while incorporating the traditional aspects of First Nations culture.
Our five guiding principles are presented here in Cree, but we also acknowledge that there are parallel expressions in the Saulteaux, Dene, Lakota, Dakota and Nakota languages as well
TÂPWÊWIN
PIMÂCIHOWIN
The financial and operational success of SIGA provides the means to exercise a holistic approach to improving the quality of life for our people.
MIYO-WÎCÊHTOWIN
Our heritage is a source of success and a competitive advantage when it comes to fostering good relations with our customers and providing guest satisfaction.
MISKÂSOWIN
A fundamental goal of SIGA is to bring about this value in a positive way by instilling a sense of pride in ourselves and our province’s First Nations’ heritage.
WÎTASKÊWIN
This value directs us to give back to the communities where we live and work.
OUR HISTORY
1993
- The Bear Claw Casino opens on White Bear First Nation (near Carlyle, SK) – 178 employees
- After three months of operation, the provincial government closes the casino then presses charges through the court system.
- Legal proceedings are put on hold while FSIN and the province negotiate.
1995
February 10, The Gaming Framework Agreement is established between the FSIN and the Government of Saskatchewan, which allowed the FSIN to establish four casinos. The Framework Agreement also defines the ‘First Nation Trust as the fund established under the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act’
1995
- June 7, the Chiefs pass the First Nations Gaming Act
- On June 10, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is created
- November: SIGA and SLGA sign the Casino Operating Agreement
1996
- January 11, SIGA is incorporated under The Non-Profit Corporation Act of Saskatchewan
- March: Gold Eagle Casino opens in North Battleford and Northern Lights Casino opens in Prince Albert.
- November: Bear Claw Casino reopens on the White Bear First Nation.
- December: Painted Hand Casino opens in Yorkton.
2000
Gaming Agreement amendments establish and provide funding to new Community Development Corporations. The CDCs will receive 25% of SIGA’s net income.
2002
- June 11
- SIGA’s first operating agreement with SLGA expires
- SIGA, FSIN, and the Province of Saskatchewan execute the landmark 25 Year Gaming Framework Agreement, effective until 2027
- SIGA and SLGA sign the 2002 Casino Operating Agreement, effective until 2027
- October: SIGA launches Players Club Card
2003
- Saskatoon Tribal Council approves a casino at Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon.
- Swift Current citizens vote 55% in favour of casino development.
2004
Casino projects at Whitecap and Swift Current receive provincial approval.
2005
SIGA employs nearly 1,100 staff, with four casinos and a central office in Saskatoon.
2007
- SIGA wins national Spencer Stuart Award in Governance
- August: Dakota Dunes Casino opens on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.
2008
- December: Living Sky Casino opens in Swift Current.
- SIGA’s official volunteer program kicks off
2010
July 1, A new era begins at SIGA as we opened our first destination resort at Bear Claw Casino and Hotel.
2011
SIGA donates $500,000 to Children’s Hospital.
2014
- SIGA announces $250,000 for the new dialysis unit at the All Nations Healing Hospital in Fort Qu’Appelle
- SIGA Casinos secure RG Check accreditation
2015
- SIGA shows Rider Pride and launches new Rider Nation Progressive Jackpot.
- Gold Eagle Casino completes 5,000 square foot expansion.
2017
- October: SIGA reaches $1 billion in net income returned to our beneficiaries
- SIGA donates $100,000 to the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre
- SIGA announces $250,000 support for Wanuskewin Thundering Ahead campaign
2017
- SIGA gains approval of its seventh casino in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.
- May: SIGA launches Good Food Run in support of CHEP Good Food Inc.
- August: SIGA hosts first annual charity pancake breakfast in support of White Buffalo Youth Lodge
- September: SIGA launches SIGA’s Day of Sharing
2018
- SIGA completes transition of slot management system to internal servers making us a true operator
- SIGA launches new scholarship award: $5,000 Justice Paul Favel Indigenous Award for Outstanding Leadership in Community Involvement. Pictured: 2018 recipient Samantha Waditaka.
- December: Gold Horse Casino opens in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.
2019
- SIGA brings in the province’s first Electronic Table Games at Gold Horse and Dakota Dunes Casinos.
- New SIGA central office opens in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
- SIGA launches Green Team to improve efficiencies and to further reduce our environmental footprint
2019
December 21, A grand opening for the Gold Horse Casino was held, the ribbon cutting ceremony featured special guests including MLA Colleen Young and Little Pine First Nation Chief Wayne Semaganis. SIGA’s seventh casino is 48,000 square feet and featured 250 slot machines and five live games when it opened.
2019
September 13, SIGA held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Central Office located on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation land. The new Central Office featured a slot machine warehouse which gave SIGA control over its slot machine programs.
2020
- March 16, Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SIGA temporarily suspended operations for an initial two-week period to safeguard employee and community health.
- March 18, Premier Scott Moe declared a state of emergency for Saskatchewan and ordered the closure of casinos, until further notice.
2021
- June 20, all seven SIGA Casinos reopened to the public following the COVID-19 pandemic, gradually increasing employee and patron capacity based on direction from public health officials.
- September 23, The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations signed an amendment to the Gaming Framework Amending Agreement with the province, paving the way for online gaming.
2021
- November 5, SIGA and SaskGaming solidified their commitment to online gaming by signing an Online Gaming Operating Agreement.
2022
- June 2, SIGA took a significant step forward by signing the online vendor agreement with SaskGaming and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
- November 3, SIGA launched its online gaming platform, PlayNow.com. This exciting venture marked a new chapter for SIGA, expanding its reach and offering a dynamic and engaging online gaming experience for players.
2023
March 7, SIGA held a grand opening for our first sports bar location at the Dakota Dunes Casino. The Sevens Sports Bar featured 124 seats including luxury seating, 11 big screen TV’s and a full dining menu.
2023
October 2, SIGA debuts it’s ALL IN documentary which was produced by the North Saskatoon Business Association as part of their Popcorn and Entrepreneurship Series, which tells stories of businesses and businesspeople.
2023
- October 6, SIGA made its return to the Saskatchewan Powwow scene in 2023, for the first time in three years. The Powwows had been on hiatus due to COVID-19. The first Powwow held following the pandemic was the Northern Lights Casino Thanksgiving Powwow from October 6-8.
2024
- February 5, Level 3 and Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations became available for SIGA Casino guests at three locations: Northern Lights Casino, Gold Eagle Casino, and Painted Hand Casino.
2024
- August 28, SIGA broke ground for a multimillion-dollar expansion project of Northern Lights Casino, increasing the current gaming floor square footage and making major changes to the interior and exterior of the casino.
- October 1, SIGA launches its all-new loyalty program, SIGA Rewards.
- October 18, SIGA broke ground for an expansion at its existing Dakota Dunes Casino property were unveiled, adding 12,000 square feet to gaming floor footage, with plans to also build new food and beverage spaces and a new high limit table game area.
2025
- April 23, SIGA donated $375,000 in April to the Boreal Healthcare Foundation’s Equip the Vic Campaign – an investment that will have a profound and lasting impact on mental health care and culturally inclusive services at Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital.
2025
- May 23, the SIGA Rewards app launched, which allows members from all seven SIGA Casinos to be able to check their SIGA Rewards account, access tailored offers and participate in exciting social tournaments, right from their phone.
THE SIGA STORY
