Native Bingo Regulator Slowly Taking Shape

Native Bingo Regulator Slowly Taking Shape

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 14:08

The president of Indigenous Gaming Regulators says his group might be operational as early as next year.

Greg Ahenakew notes IGR has reached an agreement-in-principle to take over on-reserve charitable gaming from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Ahenakew says a deal could be ratified as early as January.

He says IGR still has some work to do before that happens, but he feels good about where they are right now.

However, Ahenakew admits the SLGA hasn’t exactly embraced the idea with open arms. He says the 2-and-a-half years it has taken to get this far is evidence of the provincial government’s reluctance to relinquish control. But he believes the province now sees the value in establishing a First Nations-controlled entity to regulate bingos and raffles.

Ahenakew adds he will be making more visits to First nations communities over the coming weeks to further explain the benefits of his group.