Cline Defends Imposing Casino Settlement On SIGA

Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 15:58

Saskatchewan’s industry minister insists the government did the right thing by imposing a settlement on the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

Earlier this week the government essentially told SIGA how it should compensate a Saskatoon casino and its staff for forcing its closure due to the creation of the Dakota Dunes Casino on the Whitecap reserve.

SIGA has to provide the operators of the Emerald Casino an annual compensation payment of $2.6 million over the next 30 years, and it must offer all employees a job at the new reserve-based gaming centre.

Cline says SIGA will benefit long-term through the project, and it shouldn’t feel it got a raw deal.

Cline adds both sides told him they couldn’t reach an agreement themselves, which forced the government’s hand.