Sask. communities benefit from $1.5 million in charitable gaming grants

More than 850 groups around the province are benefiting from the latest round of Saskatchewan’s charitable gaming grants.

The grants go to groups and organizations that hold licensed charitable gaming events, such as bingo nights, raffles and poker tournaments. The grants equal a quarter of the net revenue raised by each event, up to an annual maximum of $100,000.

For the third quarter of the fiscal year, the grants added up to $1.5 million, and were paid to groups in more than 200 communities around the province.

Laura Ross, the minister responsible for Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan, said the grant funding will have benefits for many communities.

“These funds support youth involved in amateur sport, music and culture, service clubs like the Lions and Kinsmen, and much more,” Ross said in a statement.

“These activities are important for the health and wellbeing of community residents, and contribute to our quality of life.”

Lisa Fast with the Assiniboine River Archery Club said her organization is putting its share of the grant funding to good use.

“We use the money from these grants to help make opportunities like the SAA indoor championships for archery affordable for our club members,” Fast said in a statement.

Groups holding charitable gaming events can apply through the SLGA’s charitable gaming licensing process. The grants aren’t applied for directly, and are paid out based on calculations by the SLGA using financial reports and information submitted by the organization.