CASINO REGINA MAKES $6.2 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 1996-97

Released on July 31, 1997

Joanne Crofford, Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Gaming

Corporation, today announced that for the fiscal year ending March 31,

1997, Casino Regina recorded a net income of $6.26 million, based on

gross revenues of $35.2 million.



Crofford said that after recovering the $813,000 deficit incurred

during the start-up phase, Casino Regina is able to make $5.45 million

available to the people of Saskatchewan.



"During the past year Casino Regina has established itself as a world

class entertainment centre and an important tourism attraction for our

province," Crofford said. "In addition to the $5.4 million in profits

that Casino Regina is able to turn over to its beneficiaries, the job

creation and spin-off benefits to the Regina and Saskatchewan

communities have been very significant, ranging from increased

business for the hotel industry, busy restaurants to increased retail

shopping.



"More than 1,100 direct and spin-off jobs were created with wages and

benefits totalling about $21.5 million. By all measures, Casino

Regina has had an extremely positive effect on the Regina and

Saskatchewan economies," Crofford said.



Crofford said that 25 per cent of Casino Regina's profit will be

shared with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, as per

the partnership agreement, to support social, economic

development and other programs for native communities.

Twenty-five per cent will go to the Associated Entities Fund

through which profits are shared with exhibition associations,

various charities and Metis organizations. She said that the

remaining 50 per cent will help to fund provincial programs

including social services, education and health care through the

General Revenue Fund.



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For more information, contact:



Lynn Gidluck

Director of Communications and Public Relations

Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation

Regina

Phone: (306)787-1241