REGINA - More than 800 groups and organizations in Saskatchewan received $1.36 million in charitable gaming grants from Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) in the first quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Grants were paid to charitable groups and organizations in more than 260 Saskatchewan communities.
Organizations in Estevan received grants worth more than $22,000, including the Estevan Archery Club ($3,596.25), the Estevan TS&M U15 AA Bruins hockey team ($625), the Estevan Curling Club ($7,058.07); the Estevan Minor Hockey Association ($625), the Estevan Recreational Dance Club ($337.50), the Royal Canadian Legion's Estevan branch ($850.48), the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation ($272.23), the Estevan U18 AA Brewers ($449.75), the Estevan Extreme Volleyball Club ($58.75), the Estevan U18 AAA Bears hockey club ($2,620.45), the Estevan Wildlife Federation ($1,139.63), the Estevan Apex U18 AA Bruins ($541.25) and the Estevan U13 AA Bearcats ($4,643.81).
The allocation for the Apex Bruins was listed under Carnduff, while the Bearcats was listed for Lampman.
Three agencies in Carnduff received support worth $4,733.99: the Borderline Housing Company ($1,610.40), the Carnduff Fast Centennial Arena ($282.50) and the Carnduff branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (two grants totalling $2,299.84).
Three organizations in Gainsborough also received support, worth $9,655.01: the Gainsborough and District Lions Club ($8,612.13), the Gainsborough Community Theatre ($530) and the Gainsborough Swimming Pool ($512.88).
Splitting more than $2,600 in Lampman were the Lampman Curling Club Inc. ($1,599.38), the Lampman Family Centre ($532.50) and Lampman Minor Sports ($554.38).
Two agencies in Arcola received a total of $1,325.63: Arcola Daycare Inc. ($226.25) and the Town of Arcola Leisure Services Committee ($1,099.38). Two organizations in Carlyle had a total of $1,305: the Carlyle District Lions Club Inc. ($427.50) and the Gordon F. Kells High School's student leadership team ($877.50).
In Oxbow, the Oxbow Minor Hockey Association ($2,452) and the Oxbow branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ($231.25) received a total of $2,683.25. In Redvers, $3,965.68 was allocated, with money shared by the Redvers and District Lions Club ($3,761.93) and the Redvers Activity Centre ($203.75).
Also receiving support were the Bienfait branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ($249.13), the Glen Ewen Community Rink ($1,674.38), the Manor and RM 63 Fire Department ($5,602.10), the Stoughton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ($657.46) and the Torquay Community Centre ($7,901.13).
Groups and organizations in good standing that conduct licensed charitable gaming activities such as bingos, raffles, breakopen ticket sales, Texas hold 'em poker tournaments and Monte Carlo events receive these quarterly grants.
The charities don't have 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, to a maximum of $100,000 per group or organization annually.
