Report SASKATCHEWAN


$46m was made in grant payments under the charitable gaming sector and some 3,482 charitable gaming licences were issued. Total revenues for the SLGA last year was more than $1bn with $463.5m in net income.


Meanwhile at the beginning of 2012 Bally signed a contract to replace the slots and table game systems at all six SIGA casinos. Bally provided its latest version of SDS Windows slot management system and installed the iVIEW Display Manager player user interface with Elite Bonusing Suite, Bally Business Intelligence, Tableview and CMP player tracking solutions.


VLTS The Partnerships and Supply Management Division of the SLGA is responsible for the VLT programme. This began in 1993 when the hospitality industry voiced its concerns that people from the rural areas of the province were travelling to neighbouring jurisdictions to play VLTs.


And so the VLT programme was introduced with the aim of supporting rural communities to allow additional forms of entertainment at liquor permitted hotels and restaurants.


Today there are 3,955 VLTs (with a cap of 4,000) in 613 sites located in around 296 communities in Saskatchewan.


Net revenues from VLTs are split with 85 per cent (less expenses) which goes to the GRF whilst 15 per cent goes directly to the operators. The site contractor revenues amounted to $34.4m last year whilst VLT net income is $183.5m for 2011/12. Gross VLT revenue is $226.4m.


The VLT network is completely controlled and regulated and machines are only permitted in age controlled liquor establishments. There must be a minimum seating capacity of 30 seats per venue and sites can have a minimum of three and a maximum of 12 VLTs per venue. SLGA contracts with Western Canada Lottery Corporation to operate the VLT programme.


The VLTs all feature responsible gaming software including showing the amount wagered, a clock to show time of day and ‘pop up’ reminders which come into play every 30 minutes.


WCLC also operates lotteries and VLTs for Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In Saskatchewan the WCLC works with the Saskatchewan Lotteries.


Sask Lotteries and WCLC operate lottery games such as Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49,


Western 649, scratch and win and keno with funds distributed to sport, culture and community groups via a trust fund set up in 1974. Today over 1,200 groups receive funding and more than 12,000 affiliated organisations receive support.


As part of the SLGA’s plan for the year 2012/13 to improve effectiveness and efficiency of operations for both gaming and liquor establishment, the authority is planning to introduce a full network replacement of 4,000 VLTS and the central operating system. The VLT replacement began this winter and is due to be completed by March 2013.


The central monitoring system has been provided by Spielo International who signed a seven year contract to supply its INTELLIGEN central system which will


TODAY, THERE ARE 3,955 VLTS


(WITH A CAP OF 4,000) IN 613


SITES LOCATED IN AROUND 296


COMMUNITIES IN SASKATCHEWAN.


replace the existing ageing infrastructure.


Robin Drummond, VP and General Manager of Public Gaming for Spielo International said: “Spielo International is the incumbent provider of VLTsS (10 years) and central systems (20 years). In this latest procurement round we were re- awarded the central system and VLT contracts including 13 games. We are one of four VLT vendors in this province and the contracts were awarded as part of two competitive procurement processes.”


Other measures will include the development of responsible gambling initiatives including an online training programme for VLT site contractors and staff. There will also be a review of the ‘responsible use’ feature on the new VLTs.


Meanwhile although the Saskatchewan government says it won’t proceed with online gambling the First Nations are pushing for the approval saying with other provinces moving forward the idea should be considered. The government fears the potential risks outweigh the benefits.


HORSE RACING The Horse Racing branch of the SLGA is responsible for regulating horse racing and the operation of race tracks in the


Quebec: Operator profile


Operator: Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Saskatchewan Casinos: Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw Information: CASINO REGINA opened in 1996 and has around 2.8 million visitors per year and a daily attendance of 7,796. It has 853 slots and 28 tables. CASINO MOOSE JAWopened in 2002 and sees 732,900 visitors per year. There are 204 slots and six tables. Background: Both casinos are operated by SaskGaming which is a crown corporation employing around 1,000 people and transferring profits to the General Revenue Fund. SaskGaming was established through the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act in 1994.


province. Some $1.5m in horse racing grants was paid to the four tracks last year which go to funding for purses, race operations and breeding. In 2011/12 the live horse racing handle was $1.1m with simulcast totalling $7.5m.


The four race tracks include Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, Yorkton Exhibition Association, West Meadows Raceway in Regina and Agri Park in Melville.


In March 2013, the provincial government will eliminate the pari-mutuel tax from horse racing wagers which will enable the sector to keep a larger portion of the revenues generated through wagers.


At the moment pari-mutuel tax is 10 per cent collected from each wager. Last year $857,000 was collected in pari-mutuel tax.


Mark Regier, CEO of Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation which operates Marquis Downs, said: “Our organisation is pleased that the government has listened to our concerns by eliminating this tax. Horse racing has been a fixture in Saskatoon for more than 40 years and the elimination of this tax creates a more positive business environment that will allow us to continue to provide exciting racing entertainment.”


April 2013 PAGE 51


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