REGINA — Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) distributed $2.1 million in charitable gaming grants throughout the province in the second quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The latest round of charitable gaming grants, benefiting 750 groups and organizations in more than 200 communities across Saskatchewan, help a variety of groups, including, but not limited to, sport, arts and culture organizations, service clubs, seniors centres, hospital foundations, school and library programs, volunteer firefighters, animal rescue and wildlife conservation groups and more.
Nearly $394,000 was provided to groups in Saskatoon and more than $508,000 to groups in Regina. Groups in other regions also received funds, including:
- Prince Albert and area, approximately $219,000;
- Yorkton, Melville and area, approximately $146,000;
- Humboldt, Melfort and area, approximately $73,000;
- Meadow Lake and area, approximately $32,000; and
- Weyburn, Estevan and area, approximately $24,000.
These quarterly grants are made when groups and organizations conduct licensed, charitable gaming activities such as bingos, raffles, breakopen ticket sales, Texas hold 'em poker tournaments and Monte Carlo events.
Charities aren't required to apply for the grants. Instead, the amount of each grant paid by LGS is calculated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) based on financial reports and other information submitted by the group or organization as part of SLGA's charitable gaming licensing process. The grants equal 25 per cent of the net revenue raised by each charitable event, up to a maximum of $100,000 per group or organization annually.