Canada v Saskatchewan: SIGA/BCLC

Summary

Saskatchewan implements a "hybrid" model: First Nations land casinos operated by SIGA, provincial casinos (SaskGaming), lotteries via WCLC, and the online segment runs on PlayNow. com under SIGA + Province (LGS/SLGA) + BCLC agreement. PlayNow Saskatchewan launched on November 3, 2022; it is the province's first legal online platform. PlayNow's profits in Saskatchewan are split equally (50/50) between LGS and First Nations Trust. The minimum age for casinos and online games is 19 +.

Actors and regulatory architecture

SIGA (Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority) - operator of seven First Nations casinos; from 2022, the PlayNow operator Saskatchewan on behalf of the province and through an agreement with BCLC and SaskGaming/LGS.
LGS/SLGA - provincial circuit "conduct & manage": Liquor and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) and the SLGA regulatory framework provide oversight, agreements and revenue sharing (including online channel).
BCLC is a technology partner and owner of the PlayNow platform. com; supplies the RG (GameSense) channel and standards.

SaskGaming - provincial corporation (Casino Regina, Casino Moose Jaw); partner in the launch of PlayNow in 2022

WCLC - Western Canada Lottery Corporation: provincial lotteries and Sport Select (before the launch of PlayNow, it was WCLC that provided retail rates).

Online platform: PlayNow Saskatchewan

Launching: Nov. 3, 2022; online casino, live-casino, sports betting.
Partnership: SIGA (operations) + LGS/province (conduct & manage) + BCLC (platform); the model replicates BCLC's collaboration with Manitoba and other regions.
Product roadmap: live-dealer from December 2022, poker - from 2023 (stages).
Profit sharing: 50/50 between LGS and First Nations Trust (for online channel).
Responsible game: integration of GameSense on the site and in ground objects.

💡 Terminology note. In popular circulation, the phrase "SIGA/AGLC" is found; it is correct to talk about SIGA/BCLC: it is BCLC that supplies and accompanies PlayNow in Saskatchewan.

Ground sector and agreements with First Nations

SIGA-casinos: 7 First Nations venues; SIGA revenues are distributed according to the formula 50% First Nations Trust/25% Community Development Corporations/25% Provincial GRF (for casino revenues).
Gaming Framework Agreement (GFA): basic 25-year agreement (2002) between the province and FSIN, subsequent additions allowed the addition of an online channel (PlayNow).
Provincial casinos: Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw under SaskGaming.

Age, tolerance and self-exclusion

Age: entry to the casino and access to online games - from 19 years old (lotteries are traditional from 18, through the WCLC line). For casinos, the "19 +" rule is enshrined in provincial regulation.
Self-exclusion: self-exclusion/ban programs apply to ground objects and PlayNow; separate non-admission modes (including deduction of winnings from self-excluded) have been in effect since the 2015 updates.

Advertising, RG and AML

Advertising: must be "responsible," without youth-appeal and misleading "inducements." The practice follows provincial and BCLC (GameSense messaging) platform standards.
Responsible Gambling: GameSense - a single frame for informing players, limits and support; used both online and in casinos.
AML/CTF: federal FINTRAC compliance (PCMLTFA), large cash transaction reporting and transaction monitoring.

What is allowed/forbidden

It is authorized

Online casinos and betting only on PlayNow Saskatchewan operated by SIGA on the BCLC platform.
SIGA and SaskGaming land casinos under provincial licenses/agreements.
Lotteries and retail betting through WCLC.

Prohibited/Restricted

Offshore sites without provincial clearance; promotion of illegal operators.
Playing persons younger than 19 in casino/online; self-exclusion violation.

Economics and income distribution

Online (PlayNow SK): 50/50 between LGS and First Nations Trust.
SIGA Casinos: 50% - First Nations Trust; 25% — Community Development Corporations; 25% — Provincial GRF.
Community Payments: Growth in First Nation and Métis transfers to organizations in 2024/25 due to SIGA, LGS and PlayNow revenues.

Compliance checklist (for content operators and partners)

1. Legal circuit: work only through PlayNow Saskatchewan (SIGA/BCLC) and under LGS/SLGA agreements; no direct "private" online launches.
2. Content and Certification: Connecting to the BCLC PlayNow Ecosystem; compliance with technical requirements and certifications adopted by the BCLC/GPEB-compatible ecosystem.
3. RG: integrated GameSense messages, limits, self-exclusion, behavioral risk monitoring.
4. AML/CTF: KYC procedures, transaction monitoring and reporting to FINTRAC.
5. Marketing: no "gray" offers/inductions; compliance with provincial PlayNow rules and standards.

Perspective (2025-2027)

Saskatchewan will continue to develop PlayNow Saskatchewan as a single legitimate online channel: expanding its portfolio of games, improving UX and RG/AML analytics, and growing welfare payments through a stable 50/50 online model and SIGA's traditional revenue sharing formula. At the branding and communications level, the focus will remain on the province and First Nations partnership and GameSense's unified approach.

Terms

SIGA - Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, First Nations casino operator and PlayNow Saskatchewan administrator.
LGS/SLGA - provincial "conduct & manage" circuit and regulatory frame.
BCLC/PlayNow is a technology partner and online gaming platform.
First Nations Trust is the recipient of 50% of the profit from PlayNow SK and 50% of the net profit of SIGA casinos (with other shares in CDC and GRF for the terrestrial segment).