Saskatchewan will launch its first and only legal online gaming and sports betting website, PlayNow.com, for residents of the province on Nov. 3.

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Association (SIGA) has stated it will be the official operator of PlayNow, as per an operating agreement with SaskGaming.

“We are excited to be the exclusive provider of Saskatchewan’s first and only legal online gaming site, which will provide a safe and secure option for residents to play their favourite casino games and bet on their favourite sports teams online,” commented Zane Hansen, President and CEO of SIGA.

Provided by the BCLC, PlayNow is based on British Columbia’s successful PlayNow.com business model, offering many of the same entertaining casino and sports-betting products from vendors and their strategic partnerships with BCLC.

Saskatchewan will be the third province to use BCLC’s PlayNow.com platform, which features dedicated responsible-gambling specialists known as GameSense Advisors, and “meets high standards for safety, security, technical integrity, age verification and responsible gambling”.

SaskGaming President and CEO, Susan Flett, stated: “The rollout of online gaming and single event sports betting opens up new casino entertainment options for residents. The launch timing is also ideal with Saskatchewan hosting this year’s Grey Cup in November.”

Hansen added: “Residents will be pleased to know that when they play on the PlayNow.com site, the proceeds are reinvested back into the province. Similar to the existing brick-and-mortar casinos in the province, all net proceeds from the PlayNow.com site are reinvested back into Saskatchewan.”

SIGA was able to bring PlayNow to Saskatchewan after the province reached an agreement with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) in September 2021.

FSIN Chief, Bobby Cameron, noted: “This historical partnership is the first of its kind, with a First Nations operator for online gaming with revenue sharing between First Nations and the Province. This will provide many economic benefits to the residents of the province and our First Nations communities.”

PlayNow has also reached a sponsorship agreement with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Riders will promote the new betting website by featuring the PlayNow.com logo on their jerseys along with other stadium activations.

“We are excited to welcome PlayNow.com as a valued partner and newest member of our strong Rider Nation,” said Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club President & CEO Craig Reynolds.