Lloydminster, Sask., casino project receives official green light

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chiefs-in-Assembly has voted to allow the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority to expand into the Lloydminster gaming market.

The new casino — in the city that straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border — would bring the provincial total to nine.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said the Lloydminster gaming expansion is another milestone for the Indigenous gaming industry.

It's a momentous day and it's some good news for the people of Saskatchewan and our First Nations people.- Chief Bobby Cameron

"This is a good example of our inherent and Treaty right to economic development working to build prosperity for our people," he said.

According to Cameron the new casino will create about 500 jobs, benefiting families in the area.

"Bills are being paid, food's being put on the table," he said. "It's a momentous day and it's some good news for the people of Saskatchewan and our First Nations people.  

Jim Reiter, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, said this project has been in the works for a long time.  

He said the casino's development marks the continued partnership between the Government of Saskatchewan and the province's First Nations people.

"Our government has made it very clear that we need economic development right across the province, including for First Nations," said Reiter.

"We've made education the bedrock of that. We've taken some great strides in that direction so we need to be moving in all fronts. Not just gaming, but gaming is certainly an important component of it."