Dakota Dunes Casino Opens First Stage of Major Expansion

Dakota Dunes On line casino has formally opened the primary section of a multi-stage growth, marking one other milestone within the ongoing progress of the resort complicated operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) at Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The completion of Part 1 was acknowledged on Thursday, December 18, 2025, throughout a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by management from SIGA, Whitecap Dakota Nation, and the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

The preliminary section facilities on a newly expanded smoking room, which will increase the on line casino’s gaming ground by roughly 11,500 sq. ft and provides 350 extra gaming machines. The up to date house options larger ceilings and a brand new heating, air flow, and air-con system designed to enhance air high quality for friends and workers.

“It’s actually our dedication at SIGA to all the time be elevating what we offer our prospects and transfer ahead,” mentioned Zane Hansen, SIGA President and CEO, quoted by Eagle Feather Information. He additionally pointed to the broader collaboration behind the mission, saying, “If you take a look at the success and progress of your complete Dakota Dunes footprint out right here, it’s only a unbelievable partnership effort.”

Expanded gaming house brings new employment

The Part 1 growth has already resulted within the creation of 30 new positions on the on line casino. In accordance with SIGA, extra hiring is predicted as future phases of building are accomplished. Dakota Dunes On line casino now employs 373 folks, with 73 p.c of its workforce recognized as Indigenous.

SIGA Board Chair and Chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Tammy Cook dinner-Searson, highlighted how the mission aligns with the group’s long-standing aims. “SIGA’s mandate is to create employment for First Nation folks; generate optimistic revenues for First Nations; and accomplice on financial improvement initiatives that profit our shareholders and communities,” she mentioned. She added that the present section is already advancing these targets by means of new hiring, with additional alternatives anticipated as soon as the following stage is completed.

STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand additionally addressed the financial impression of the growth. “It’s nice to see this mission proceed transferring ahead,” he mentioned. “The great jobs which are being created right here for First Nations persons are a stepping stone to improved high quality of life for people and households, and the extra income generated by this growth will help continued financial improvement, and plenty of worthy initiatives each in Saskatoon, and in our STC member communities.”

Subsequent phases deliberate by means of 2026

Building on the on line casino will proceed into 2026, with the second section scheduled for completion within the spring of that yr. That stage will concentrate on enlarging the Excessive Restrict Room desk sport space. An extra spherical of upgrades is deliberate for the summer time of 2026, together with the addition of recent meals and beverage choices corresponding to a refreshed Tim Hortons, a deli, a bar, and a teppanyaki-style noodle bar.

SIGA estimates the whole funding within the on line casino expansions at roughly $14 million. Reflecting on the size of change nonetheless forward, Hansen mentioned, “When you come right here in a couple of months time, this complete space will look vastly totally different.”

Whitecap Dakota Nation Chief Darcy Bear famous that the timing of the on line casino growth aligns carefully with different improvement underway on the resort. “This growth of the Dakota Dunes On line casino is well timed as we assemble the Dakota Dunes Thermal Spa on the resort aspect of the property,” he mentioned. “All of those enhancements will solely additional enhance the variety of guests and place the property because the premier vacation spot resort within the province.”

Broader resort improvement underway

Past the on line casino, the Dakota Dunes Resort is getting ready for the opening of a big thermal spa facility, which is predicted to welcome the general public in late 2026. The $54 million spa will embrace swimming pools, saunas, and designated leisure areas. Bear emphasised the distinctiveness of the mission inside the province, noting the absence of comparable services in Saskatchewan.

“We’ve thermal spas everywhere in the world – there’s 26,000 in Pacific Asia, 6,000 in Europe, about 310 in North America, about 156 in Canada, 47 in Quebec, and 0 in Saskatchewan,” Bear mentioned. “It’s going to make us the primary resort in Saskatchewan.”

Throughout the ceremony, Bear mirrored on the long-term financial journey of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, recalling the early challenges confronted by the neighborhood. “I used to be elected again in 1991, and at the moment we had not one greenback in our checking account. We had an overdraft, a stack of payables, and about eight staff,” he mentioned. Trying forward, he said that Dakota Dunes is predicted to internet greater than $50 million in 2025, including, “These are the issues we will do once we all work collectively.”