SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is making responsible gaming a priority, even as it posts record-breaking profits, investing in player education, addiction supports, and harm-reduction programs.
SIGA reported $418 million in gross gaming revenue and a final income distribution of $167 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year — from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026 — marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking profits for the seven casinos they operate.
SIGA Communications Director Alana Adamko said responsible gaming measures are embedded in every aspect of the organization's growth strategy as the gaming operator continues to expand both its casino and online operations.
"Responsible gaming is built into how we operate as we grow, not an afterthought. SIGA is nationally certified through the RG Check Program, and this year we achieved our highest RG Check scores ever, with every SIGA casino up for reaccreditation scoring over 80 per cent,” said Adamko.
Adamko said SIGA directly invests $2.5 million annually in the First Nations Addictions and Rehabilitation Foundation, as part of its addiction prevention and recovery program, and each casino is supported by dedicated Responsible Gaming Specialists who work with both patrons and staff to promote healthy gambling habits and identify players who may need assistance.
"Our RG specialists are regularly at casinos to help train staff on RG Awareness, interact with casino guests, and set up booths every spring for Responsible Gambling Awareness Week. As well, SIGA conducts regular advertising promoting the GameSense-branded Responsible Gaming Program," Adamko said.
She added that among SIGA's recent initiatives is the development of GameSense educational brochures in Cree, Dene and Saulteaux, making responsible gaming information more accessible to Indigenous communities, with the multilingual materials drawing attention from gaming organizations outside Saskatchewan that are interested in adopting similar approaches.
"This year we were recognized industry-wide for our Indigenous-language GameSense brochures in Cree, Dene and Saulteaux, work that other jurisdictions have reached out about replicating for their own materials," said Adamko.
Players also have access to several tools designed to encourage responsible gambling, with customers able to voluntarily exclude themselves from both casino and online gaming through SIGA's Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. Online gambling website PlayNow.com users can also establish personal gambling limits to help manage their spending and playing time. SIGA’s commitment to responsible gaming comes as online gambling continues to expand rapidly.
PlayNow.com generated $31.6 million in gross gaming revenue during the fiscal year, a 23.4 per cent increase over the previous year, accounting for approximately $6 million of SIGA's overall $40-million revenue increase.
Despite that growth, Adamko said online gaming is attracting many new players rather than simply shifting existing casino patrons online, with 48 per cent of PlayNow.com players from rural Saskatchewan communities and 22 per cent from Regina. What they are seeing, she said, is that playing activity where SIGA does not have a land-based casino is the result of reaching a new and wider player base.
“PlayNow.com is also the only legal, regulated online gaming and sports betting option in the province, so we're providing a safe alternative to unregulated offshore sites, which is a responsible gaming win as much as a business one," said Adamko.
The financial success of SIGA, celebrating 30 years of operation, goes hand in hand with responsible gaming by combining record revenues with nationally recognized responsible gaming practices, culturally relevant education and investments in addiction supports.
SIGA said it aims to ensure Saskatchewan residents can enjoy gaming in a safe, informed and regulated environment while continuing to generate economic benefits for First Nations and communities across the province.
