With casinos shuttered through the majority of COVID-19, or operating on a restricted basis, SaskGaming is reporting losses in 2020-21. Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw remained temporarily closed for approximately seven months due to COVID-19. This resulted in the corporation reporting net losses of $13.4 million and temporarily laying off approximately 570 permanent employees.

Minister Responsible for SaskGaming Don Morgan said. “While the corporation managed to turn a modest revenue of $30.9 million when the casinos were operating with fewer capacity restrictions, it was not enough to offset expenses and resulted in no payments made to the General Revenue Fund.”

In a normal operating year, SaskGaming would have paid a dividend to its shareholder, Crown Investments Corporation. This payment was cancelled in 2020-21 due to the corporation’s net losses. Revenue was $30.9 million compared to $114.1 million in 2019-20 while expenses were $44.3 million compared to $73.9 million in 2019-20

SaskGaming President and CEO Susan Flett said. “The corporation made many difficult but necessary business decisions as a result of COVID-19, including continuing with renovations at Casino Regina in an effort to support the local construction industry and sub-trades.”