Casino Moose Jaw And Casino Regina Report First Ever Annual Loss

They say the House always wins when it comes to gaming but COVID - 19 restrictions turned Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw into money losers in the 2020 - 2021 fiscal year.

In their annual report SaskGaming reported a $13.4 million loss - the first ever loss in their history. The loss came despite temporarily laying off the majority of SaskGaming’s employees and other cost cutting measures.

Temporarily laying off staff saved SaskGaming $17.1 million (44.2 per cent) in salaries and benefits. Employees faced temporary layoffs during the temporary casino closures in the first and fourth quarters. The saving was slightly offset by merit and cost of living increases for employees, as well as increased cost of employee benefits.

The layoffs were decried by the union representing the majority of Casino employees in late March 2020 with the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) saying they would be filing a grievance about the manner employees were laid off without severance payments.

“As a result of the temporary closures of Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw during the first and fourth quarters of the year, the net loss for the year ended March 31, 2021 was $13.4 million, a decrease of $33.5 million (166.7 per cent) from the net income of $20.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2020,” SaskGaming’s 2020 - 2021 Annual Report read.

SaskGaming’s net revenue has been declining in a mature gaming market - source SaskGaming 2020-2021 Annual Report

The annual report does not report how much, if any, of the $13.4 million loss was attributable to Casino Moose Jaw. Casino Moose Jaw’s and Casino Regina’s fiscal year end results are combined together.

SaskGaming is required to transfer 50 percent of its income to the General Revenue Fund (GRF) but due to the loss in 2020-21 there will be no payment to the GRF this year - the first time ever.