The town
Prince Albert around Northern Lights
Northern Lights Casino opened in March 1996 on Marquis Road, in the city it calls "The Gateway to the North". This page sets the casino in its town: who runs it, where the name comes from, and what lies around it.
Written by the Night Gate deskChecked October 13, 2026
The casino since 1996
Northern Lights Casino officially opened in March 1996. It is one of the seven casinos run by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, known as SIGA. SIGA lists it with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. The same SIGA Rewards card works across all seven SIGA casinos, including this one.
SIGA is a little older than the casino it runs. It was created on June 10, 1995, under the First Nations Gaming Act passed by the Chiefs. It is a First Nations, non-profit organization. All of its net proceeds are reinvested in Saskatchewan.
Net profits from SIGA casinos follow a fixed split. The First Nations Trust receives 50%. Community Development Corporations receive 25%, and the provincial General Revenue Fund receives the remaining 25%.
Where the name comes from
The casino takes its name from the northern lights. In its own words, the lights are thought to be spirits of past generations: departed relatives and friends dancing in the night. Night Gate repeats that explanation as the casino gives it, without adding to it. The casino also calls Prince Albert "The Gateway to the North".
The town around the casino
Prince Albert has 35 parks and 1300 acres of parkland, and the casino points visitors toward them. The Rotary Trail is the one it names for getting around under your own power: walking, running, skating or biking. Little Red River Park is on the list too. Golfers are pointed to Cooke Municipal golf course. For winter, the casino names curling at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Centre.
Indoors, the casino points to the Margo Fournier Arts Centre and the John V Hicks Gallery. It also sends visitors toward the city's heritage properties. Opening hours for these places are not listed on this page, so check with each one before setting out.