Sask tops in gambling StatsCan

Residents of Saskatchewan spend more per household on gambling than people in any other province, according to Statistics Canada. A report released free casino bonus by the federal agency on Friday says the average Saskatchewan household spent $720 on gambling in 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Alberta was second, with $645, while Quebec spent the least, with $390. The report also says Saskatchewan residents are more likely to gamble in casinos than people in other regions. "The participation rate in Saskatchewan is 27 per cent of all households say they've visited or played a casino or VLT [video lottery terminal]," Statistics Canada spokeswoman Katherine Marshall said. "That's the highest rate in the country." Marshall thinks the rate is high probably because Saskatchewan has so many gambling options.

There are two casinos run by the provincial government and another six operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. To Ken Cheveldayoff, the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Gaming Corp. — which runs the casinos in Regina and Moose Jaw — the relatively high per-household expenditures are a good indicator that speaks to the quality of Saskatchewan's casinos. "I would credit SIGA and [SGC] gaming with marketing very well, with providing an attractive and a positive new no deposit casino bonus entertainment experience for people," he said. "That's why they keep coming back, that's why they do well." Cheveldayoff said he'd rather govern a province that spends the most per capita on gambling than the least. The Statistics Canada report also said the Saskatchewan government takes in more gambling revenue per capita — about $830 for every person over age 18 — than any other province. The money pays for important things, from health care to roads, Cheveldayoff said. The province is now looking at expanding into online gambling, he said.