First Nations Take Over Reserve Charitable Gaming

First Nations Take Over Reserve Charitable Gaming

Monday, April 02, 2007 at 16:32

The provincial government has announced it’s handing over regulatory control of on-reserve charitable gaming to Saskatchewan First Nations.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority is relinquishing oversight of bingos, break-open tickets, raffles, mock casino events and Texas Hold ‘Em poker on reserves.

Those activities will now be licensed by the First Nations-controlled organization Indigenous Gaming Regulators, as will table games at the province’s native-run casinos.

The formal announcement was made at a news conference in Saskatoon this morning.

FSIN chief Lawrence Joseph hopes this is a first step toward First Nations taking control of all on-reserve gaming — a reference to activity at SIGA casinos not covered under this deal.