Casino closures during the pandemic affected the provincial government’s gaming payments to Indigenous-led social and economic initiatives, but the province says in a news release that they are back on track in this year’s budget with a $61.5-million investment.

The closures resulted in $80 million in emergency pandemic support over two years for First Nations and Métis organizations, in addition to community-based organizations to help offset the impact of the pandemic. The Gaming Framework Agreement was originally signed in 2002 between the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the government. Profits are used for funding initiatives related to economic, social, educational, recreational and cultural development.  Other initiatives include justice-related, senior and youth programs, health projects and community infrastructure and maintenance.

The Ministry of Government Relations administers Saskatchewan’s legal obligations by distributing casino gaming profits to:

The First Nations Trust
The Métis Development Fund
Community Development Corporations (CDC) such as:
-BATC Community Development Corporation;
-Bear Claw Community Development Corporation;
-Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation;
-Living Sky Community Development Corporation;
-Northern Lights Community Development Corporation; and
-Painted Hand Community Development Corporation.