In the latest chapter in what has been a record year, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has announced they’re contributing $1.3 million to the Community Investment Program this year.
That includes a $100,000 donation for a new pediatric MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine for the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.
“The new MRI machine will ensure that families have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to be able to assist in a thorough and prompt prognosis of the child, at the point of care, enabling bedside imaging of children with various clinical conditions,” said SIGA President & CEO Zane Hansen.
The hospital, located in Saskatoon, provides specialized health care for children throughout the province.
Earlier this summer, SIGA reported that they hit $292.6 million in revenue and net income of $126 million over the 2023 fiscal year (ended March 31). That was compared to $195.8 million in revenue in 2021-22 and $68.2 million in net income that fiscal year.
SIGA, which launched in 1996, operates seven casinos in the province with slot machines, live and electronic table games, live entertainment, an array of lounges and restaurants, and the online gaming websitePlayNow.com, launched last November, the only legally operated online gaming and sports betting site in the province.
The Community Investment Program sponsors community-level events, programming, and fundraising initiatives in Saskatchewan.
SIGA reinvests all net revenue back into the province: 50 percent to the First Nations Trust (distributed to the 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan), 25 percent to Community Development Corporations that reinvests money in local community initiatives, and 25 percent to the General Revenue Fund.
“It is important to SIGA that we honour our guiding principle of Wîtaskêwin, which speaks to the concept of sharing our land or in today’s terms sharing resources. This value directs us to give back the communities where we live and work,” said SIGA vice president of corporate affairs Patricia Cook.