REGINA — SaskGaming is reporting a net loss of $13.4 million due to complications from the ongoing pandemic that kept doors closed at Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw through most of last year.
In its annual report released this morning, the provincial corporation says it generated $30.9 million in revenue and $44.3 million in expenses in 2020-21.
This is compared to the previous year, where SaskGaming recorded $114.1 million in revenue and $73.9 million in expenses, highlighting the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This reporting year was unlike anything SaskGaming has experienced in 25 years of operation,” said SaskGaming President and CEO Susan Flett.
Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw were closed for two of the four quarters of 2020-21, said the report, open only between July and December of 2020.
Revenue reported was collected during these months when the casinos were operating under limiting public health orders, largely from the slot machines which were allowed to be open at one-third capacity.
Public health orders that affected casino operations included capacity restrictions, limits on food and beverage service, scaled-back table gaming, closure of the show lounge and suspension of 24-hour operations on weekends.
A total of 570 permanent employees, both unionized and not unionized, were laid off during the extended closures, said the report, including those from the gaming floor, show lounges and back-of-house staff. Corporate employees were also included among that number.
“The corporation made many difficult but necessary business decisions as a result of COVID-19,” said Flett.
The planned refresh of casino properties continued, with upgrades to the east end and central hall areas of Casino Regina completed this year.
SaskGaming also used generated revenue to pay temporarily laid-off employees for two weeks following the initial closure in March 2020 and to fully subsidize group health, dental and life insurance benefits for the year.
Annual surveys about customer satisfaction and guest awareness of responsible gambling weren’t completed for 2020-21,
SaskGaming said it will not be making its annual payment to the Crown Investments Corporation or to the General Revenue Fund this year, due to the large net losses.
New initiatives are in place for the 2021-22 reopening, said the report, including a new wellness strategy for staff and enhanced customer service training.
