Casino deal reached

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The Saskatchewan government and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations announced Nov. 24 an agreement to allow the operations of Indian-operated casinos.

The agreement, signed after 10 months of negotiations, will mean a First Nations casino could open as early as the beginning of January, FSIN Grand Chief Blaine Favel said at a news conference announcing the agreement.

The four casinos are to be located in Prince Albert, the Battlefords, Yorkton, and the White Bear reserve in southeastern Saskatchewan. The FSIN will also have a 25 per cent stake in the Union Station Casino in downtown Regina.

"This agreement marks the beginning of the end of poverty and economic disparity for the First Nations people," Favel said.

The four casinos could mean Saskatchewan bands will see a $4 million to $5 million profit over the first two years of operation, and $8 million in spin-off economic activity from salaries, construction, and other related business spending, said Favel.

"The quicker we get the politicians out of the way and businessmen into place, the quicker we can progress on this," he said. "This is one plank, in our multi-plank economic strategy."

For Brian Standingready, Chief of the White Bear Reserve, the agreement couldn't have come soon enough.

More than two years ago, the provincial government sent an RCMP tactical weapons unit to close a band-run casino on the reserve. Now White Bear will probably house the first casino to open under the new rules, he said.

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority will act as site contractor for the operation of video lottery terminals (VLTs) and slot machines in the casinos. The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority will purchase and operate the machines.

Proceeds from the casinos will be divided through two agreements. Half of the profits from on-reserve casinos, such as White Bear, will be allocated to the First Nations Fund, a quarter to First Nations charities, and another quarter to the province.

Twenty-five per cent of the First Nation's cut from casinos will go to foundations to combat gambling addictions in First Nations people, said Favel.

"We're in this business to help our people, not to hurt our people," Favel said.

The four casinos are limited to a total of 500 slot machines, equal to the number of slots at the Regina Union Station casino, which is to open in early 1996.

However, if more slot machines are added in Regina, more will be added to the Indian-run casinos, Favel said.

"When you look at the gaming industry,it's not an either-or situation, it's an entertainment-driven enterprise," Favel said, adding that the casino authorities will work to develop a joint marketing strategy.