The story
Bear Claw on White Bear First Nations
Bear Claw Casino & Hotel has a short, plain history with one hard chapter in it. This page sets out that history, explains who runs the casino and shows where its profits go.
Signed by the Highway 9 deskChecked October 13, 2026
How the casino began
Bear Claw Casino first opened in 1993 on White Bear First Nations, in the Moose Mountains of southeast Saskatchewan. The site is on Highway 9, north of the town of Carlyle. After about three months, the provincial government closed it. The closure was a disputed chapter between First Nations and the province over gaming. This guide does not take a side in it.
The casino reopened in November 1996 and has run since then. The hotel opened on July 1, 2010, as SIGA's first destination resort. That meant the site offered guest rooms as well as gaming, so visitors could stay the night. SIGA calls Bear Claw its most historic casino.
Who runs it: SIGA
The casino is run by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, known as SIGA. SIGA is a First Nations non-profit created in 1995 under the First Nations Gaming Act passed by the Chiefs. It runs seven casinos in Saskatchewan. The Bear Claw building is 30,000 square feet.
Net profits are the money left after a casino pays its costs. SIGA splits the net profits of its casinos three ways. Half of it, 50%, goes to the First Nations Trust. Another 25% goes to Community Development Corporations. The remaining 25% goes to the province's General Revenue Fund.
Casinos in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan has nine permanent casinos. Seven are SIGA casinos, and two are SaskGaming casinos: Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw. Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan, or LGS, manages gaming. The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, or SLGA, regulates it.
Players must be 19 or older to gamble at a SIGA casino. Under SIGA's rules, anyone under 19 is a prohibited person and cannot be paid winnings. SIGA Rewards is SIGA's membership card program, and one card works at all seven SIGA casinos. It has four tiers: Emerald, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
Quick answers
When did the casino open?
Bear Claw Casino first opened in 1993 on White Bear First Nations. The provincial government closed it after about three months. It reopened in November 1996 and has run since. The hotel opened on July 1, 2010.
Who runs the casino?
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, or SIGA, runs it. SIGA is a First Nations non-profit created in 1995. It runs seven casinos in Saskatchewan.
Where do the casino's profits go?
Net profits from SIGA casinos are split three ways. Half, 50%, goes to the First Nations Trust. Then 25% goes to Community Development Corporations, and 25% goes to the province's General Revenue Fund.