HomeFigure 01 · The count
Painted Hand Casino, measured
The casino on Broadway Street West reduces to a handful of published figures, and Tessera's own sum of two of them gives 250 places to play. This page lists each one and states what it measures, from floor area to staff.
By the Tessera deskChecked October 14, 2026
43,000
square feet
Figure 01 · The count
Floor area and guests
SIGA's page for the casino gives a floor area of 43,000 square feet. Neither that figure nor any other says how much of the space is gaming floor. The second number comes from the casino itself: more than 300,000 guests a year. The guest count is a yearly total. No split by month, day or hour is given, so it says nothing about a single evening.
250
places to play
Figure 01 · The count
The 250 places to play
SIGA counts 241 slot machines and 9 electronic table games at the casino. Tessera added the two: 250 places to play. Not one of the 250 is a live table, and the casino does not say which games the electronic tables deal.
The casino's slots page puts the machine count at "more than 241". They play in five denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 25 cents and $1. Its pages list no poker room, bingo, keno or sportsbook.
139
employees, 73% First Nations
Figure 01 · The count
The people on the payroll
SIGA's page for the casino counts 139 employees. Of those, 73% are First Nations employees. The page gives one total for the whole building and does not divide it by job, shift or hours worked. Both numbers sit on the same page as the floor area and the machine count.
1996
opened December 14
Figure 01 · The count
December 14, 1996, and the name
Painted Hand Casino opened its doors on December 14, 1996. It was the fourth SIGA casino to open that year, and the last of the four. Its operator, SIGA, had been created on June 10, 1995.
The name carries a meaning the casino states itself. In its own words, the red painted hand stands for courage and honour. Tessera adds no reading of its own.
50 · 25 · 25
percent split of SIGA net profit
Figure 01 · The count
Who runs it, where the money goes
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, or SIGA, is a First Nations non-profit created on June 10, 1995. It runs seven casinos in Saskatchewan, this one included. All net proceeds go back into the province.
Net profit from the seven casinos is divided in three shares. The First Nations Trust gets 50%. Another 25% goes to Community Development Corporations, and the remaining 25% to the General Revenue Fund of the Government of Saskatchewan. The split applies to the seven casinos taken together.
9
permanent casinos in Saskatchewan
Figure 01 · The count
One of nine in Saskatchewan
There are nine permanent casinos in Saskatchewan. Seven of them, including Painted Hand in Yorkton, are SIGA First Nations casinos, and the remaining two are Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw. LGS (Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan), a Crown corporation, handles oversight of lotteries and gaming across the province. Regulating is a distinct job, held by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).
4
questions, answered from the figures
Questions
Questions and short answers
01How many slot machines are on the floor?
SIGA's page for the casino counts 241. The casino's own slots page reads "more than 241". With the 9 electronic table games, SIGA's figure gives 250 places to play.
02How many people work at the casino?
SIGA's page gives 139 employees, and 73% of them are First Nations employees. The total is not broken down by role or shift.
03When did the casino open?
The doors first opened on December 14, 1996, which made it the fourth SIGA casino to open in 1996, and the final one. SIGA had been created on June 10, 1995.
04Who receives the profit?
Net profit from SIGA's seven casinos is divided in three. Of it, 50% goes to the First Nations Trust, a quarter (25%) to Community Development Corporations, and another 25% to the General Revenue Fund of the Government of Saskatchewan. All net proceeds are returned to the province.