The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) entered into a partnership to launch the first legal online gambling site in Saskatchewan, called PlayNow. According to the province’s Minister of Government Services, Greg Schulhauser, this is a win-win deal that will benefit Saskatchewan and First Nations communities. It will also help the government reach its target of $60 million in revenue over four years.
How to Use Free Play on PlayNow?
Players get a free play when they have 3/7 numbers in their Lotto Max selection. It will be automatically redeemed as a ticket for the next draw, if you win the free play at PlayNow, the legal online gambling site in Saskatchewan.
PlayNow Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wide range of betting markets are available.
- Significant safety features in place.
- A detailed betting guide for new bettors.
- Live betting available.
Cons
- Limited payment options available.
- The welcome offer is not as big as other online sportsbooks.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Saskatchewan?
Online sports betting in Saskatchewan is limited at this time. However, it is still possible to place single-game bets with offshore sites. The province is not yet licensed for online gambling, so residents are left with the options of local sportsbooks or the Western Canadian Lottery Corporation’s Pro-Line service.
Online Sports Betting in Canada
Unlike many Canadian provinces, the provincial government doesn’t have a monopoly on gambling. There are nine other Canadian provinces that have legalised online sports betting, and several other provinces have been able to offer state-sponsored online gaming platforms. In addition to these, a handful of First Nations run their own online casinos. However, this grey market has existed for decades.
Currently, Saskatchewan is the only Canadian province with no online casino options. But, thanks to a recent agreement, that will change in the near future. By 2022, the province’s residents will be able to play online gambling games in the region. Until then, local sports bettors will wager at select locations in the province.
Sports betting is parlay-based and requires multiple selections to win. However, there are no guarantees about the safety or legitimacy of these bets. The only way to know for sure is to consult an experienced gambler.
To become eligible to use PlayNow, players must be aged 19 or older and be residents of Saskatchewan. In order to qualify, players must register an account and play parlay bets. Customers can set time limits and spend limits. A pop-up reminder will let them know how much time they have spent on the site. They can also contact an advisor for help at any hour of the day.
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is responsible for licensing and regulating gaming in the province. While SLGA does not have jurisdiction over unlicensed gambling, it investigates allegations of illegal activity in the liquor industry.
Saskatchewan’s new legal online gambling site is powered by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), which has already launched the platform in Manitoba. The BCLC and SLGA signed a deal in June to launch PlayNow in Saskatchewan. Both sides agreed to share the revenues from the site in a 50/50 manner.
Besides the sports betting offering, the site has a full suite of other casino games as well. Players can choose from over 500 games, including blackjack, roulette, slots, keno, poker, and more. Additionally, the site offers a dedicated player-health advisor who is available via live chat and phone. If you have questions about gambling, the site can provide a referral to the Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Hotline.
One of the biggest draws of PlayNow is its commitment to responsible gambling. For every player that signs up, half of the profits will go to the First Nations and communities of Saskatchewan. Using the site, people can monitor their spending and set a daily or monthly limit.
