1993 to 1996
Bear Claw Casino first opened in 1993 on the White Bear First Nations, near Carlyle. After three months, the provincial government closed it and pressed charges in court. In the casino's own words, this was "a highly contentious and emotional part of history between First Nations and the provincial government regarding gaming".
On February 10, 1995, the first Gaming Framework Agreement between FSIN and the Government of Saskatchewan allowed FSIN to establish four casinos. SIGA was created on June 10, 1995, under the First Nations Gaming Act passed by the Chiefs.
Regina's former Union Station saw its last VIA train on January 16, 1990, and became a heritage site in 1991. Conversion to a casino was approved in 1994, and after a 1995 renovation it re-opened as Casino Regina in January 1996. Four SIGA casinos opened that year. Gold Eagle in North Battleford was the first under the SIGA umbrella, and Northern Lights in Prince Albert opened in March. Bear Claw reopened in November, and Painted Hand followed on December 14, 1996, the last of the four.
2002 to 2018
On June 11, 2002, the Province and FSIN signed a 25-year Gaming Framework Agreement, replacing the 1995 one. Casino Moose Jaw opened on September 6, 2002.
In 2003, Swift Current citizens voted 55% in favour of casino development, and the province approved it in 2004. Dakota Dunes Casino opened in August 2007, south of Saskatoon. Living Sky Casino followed in December 2008, just off the Trans-Canada Highway in Swift Current. It serves southwest Saskatchewan.
Bear Claw Hotel opened on July 1, 2010, as SIGA's first destination resort. Gold Eagle completed a 5,000 square foot expansion in 2015. In October 2017 the 2002 agreement was extended by 10 years, to 2037. Gold Horse Casino, SIGA's seventh, opened in Lloydminster in December 2018. Its interior draws on the surrounding community's oil and gas industry, in wood, metal and glass.
Since 2020
On March 18, 2020, casinos were ordered closed under the provincial state of emergency. All seven SIGA casinos reopened on June 20, 2021. In September 2021 the Gaming Framework Agreement was amended to let SIGA offer online gaming to Saskatchewan residents. PlayNow.com launched on November 3, 2022, as the province's first legal, regulated online gaming platform, for players 19 and older.
Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan took over full conduct and management of gaming on June 1, 2023. Oversight of SIGA's casinos moved from SLGA to LGS. At Dakota Dunes, Phase 1 of the expansion added 11,500 feet of gaming floor and closed with a ribbon-cutting on December 18, 2025.
On August 31, 2026, the province and FSIN extended SIGA's online gaming exclusivity to September 2029. An amendment announced that day approves a gaming centre pilot with up to 49 slot machines on Flying Dust First Nation.
The end of Marquis Downs
Marquis Downs in Saskatoon opened in 1969. Its last thoroughbred meet came in 2019, the track's 50th year. The 2020 and 2021 meets were cancelled, and the track never reopened. In September 2025, Saskatoon city council approved its demolition.
Horse racing has its own place in provincial regulation. The Horse Racing Branch of SLGA governs, directs and regulates horse racing and the operation of race tracks in Saskatchewan.