New Smoke Signals machines at the Gold Eagle Casino

A long line of players hoping to become instant millionaires were at the Gold Eagle Casino Thursday.

The occasion was the simultaneous launch of the refreshed progressive Smoke Signals jackpot at Gold Eagle Casino, as well as the other Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority casinos across Saskatchewan.

Mayor Ian Hamilton was on hand to cut the ribbon to launch the Smoke Signals jackpot. He was also the first to press the button to try a spin on the new slot machines.

The slot machines offer the opportunity for players to turn into millionaires on one spin.

Previously, the top jackpot began at $250,000. Now, however, the new top level will start off at four times that. That number will keep rising as people spin the slots at the six SIGA casinos around the province.

"The main thing we wanted to do is generate more excitement within the province," said Kelly Atcheynum, Gold Eagle Casino general manager.

"It's the first time we've offered a million dollars starting out for progressive. That's the main thing. To renew the excitement of the gaming and offer bigger prizes in the province, I think this is a big bonus for the gaming in the province."

A total of 44 machines make up the Smoke Signals bank at the SIGA casinos, which also include locations in Prince Albert, Swift Current, Yorkton, Carlyle and at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation south of Saskatoon.

Users will see a change in the physical structure of the progressives, and some new games are being offered.

According to Gold Eagle Casino operations manager Roger Anderson, the machines operate at three different tiers. In addition to the top level of $1 million, the second level begins at $25,000 and the third at $1,000.

The average player will have a chance to win the million dollar level with simply a dollar bet. A five-dollar bet, though, does provide more opportunities to win each of those levels, Atcheynum said.

Big jackpots have created a lot of excitement and buzz for SIGA casinos in recent years. In March, a nurse in Prince Albert, Doris Staflund, claimed over $1.15 million in jackpot winnings in the Smoke Signals jackpot at the Northern Lights Casino.

That jackpot created some hype, but Anderson noted changes were long in the works, even before that was claimed.

It takes a "lot of teamwork," Anderson said, referring to the fact the new Smoke Signals rolled out in six different locations. "There's a lot of levels to go through and a lot of different agencies involved."

If creating excitement was the goal, that was certainly accomplished, as a long lineup of players were on hand to try their luck on the machines for the first time as part of their promotion "Free Spin for a Million," which took place through July 6. Players in line Thursday also received souvenirs including a free t-shirt.

Members of the media also had an opportunity to try their luck on the Smoke Signals machines. As it turned out, the reporter from the News-Optimist came away a winner on his free spin, taking home $43.75.

The launch of the new jackpot impressed Mayor Hamilton, who called it "just a great buzz for North Battleford and for the Gold Eagle Casino" in speaking to reporters. He believes this will attract even more visitors to the city.

"I look forward to seeing even more people coming to North Battleford to take advantage of this entertainment package as well as all the other things we have to offer in North Battleford."