The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Province of Saskatchewan have agreed to several amendments to the gaming framework agreement.
The Gaming Framework Agreement was originally signed in 2002 and requires both parties to review every 5 years and implement any changes if necessary.
The changes in 2023 include an additional 250 slot machines for SIGA casinos, $250,000 per year for the First Nations Addiction and Rehabilitation Foundation, increased opportunities for Indigenous Gaming Regulators beyond charitable gaming, and more opportunities for VLT sites on-reserve.
According to the FSIN, these amendments were approved by Chiefs in Assembly at the recent FSIN assembly in North Battleford.
“This will have a positive impact on First Nations communities, which will benefit for the increased opportunities and revenues from gaming,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron at a signing ceremony at the FSIN head office on Thursday afternoon.
Cameron signed the agreement with Laura Ross, Minister for Lotteries and Gaming.
“We value our partnership with FSIN and SIGA in the gaming sector and are pleased to have reached an agreement on these changes to the Gaming Framework Agreement,” said Ross.
Chief Cameron says these amendments are expected to bring in around $1-2 million in yearly revenue.
(PHOTO: FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron and Lotteries and Gaming Minister Laura Ross sign the amendments to the Gaming Framework Agreement. Photo by Joel Willick.)