The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) liquor store permit auction proceeds for the Saskatchewan government are lower than the original auction with several permit winners backing out..In February, Saskatchewan Crown Corporation held an auction for 35 permits to operate liquor stores throughout the province. .These permits were the remaining ones from the previous SLGA stores, which the government announced would be closed in the fall of 2022..The total amount generated from the auction of those permits was $45,077,800. .However, 10 of the winners decided to return the permits. The SLGA stated the withdrawals are not uncommon and were due to various reasons..In June, the 10 permits were re-auctioned. Among the 10 permits, two were allocated for stores in Saskatoon, while single permits were available for Regina, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Estevan, Humboldt, Assiniboia, Moosomin, and Esterhazy..The province collected $7,386,200 from the second round of the auction, which was approximately $3 million less than the first auction. The winners of the auction will now need to complete the permitting process and establish a store within the next 18 months.
