The Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert is one of seven SIGA operations that will soon see extended hours on weekends. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Charlene Tebbutt

Into the Wee Hours

SIGA and SGC look to extend casino hours

May 17, 2019 | 5:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is planning to move to 24-hour operations on weekends starting this summer, in tandem with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

All seven of SIGA’s operations across the province, including in Prince Albert, North Battleford, and Lloydminster, will be part of the change, Lionel Tootoosis, senior vice-president of operations with SIGA, said the move to new weekend hours will better accommodate patrons.

“It’s kind of a natural evolution of our business, our model,” Tootoosis said. “We’re finding that some of our patrons work shift work and having extended hours and people being able to gamble when they want to is important for us.”

The corporation is looking to move to 24-hour operation on Fridays and Saturdays starting in July, with the option to stay open on Sundays over long weekends as well. SIGA is working with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, staff and other stakeholders to facilitate the change, Tootoosis said.

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SIGA already employs some staff on a 24-hour basis, including security, surveillance and facilities, he added.

“We’ve looked at the numbers and we do feel that it’ll benefit all of our casinos,” Tootoosis said. “That’s our peak time and that’s our peak operational hours … some people like gambling at different times so we just want to make sure that we’re offering that to them.”

paNOW has confirmed with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) that all casinos within the province, including those that fall under the SaskGaming Corporation and SIGA will move to a 24-hour operation schedule on Fridays and Saturdays from the summer of 2019.

This story has been amended to include the changes taking place for all casinos in Saskatchewan.

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt