First for Saskatchewan
PlayNow is now live in Saskatchewan, making it the province’s first-ever legal iGaming platform and Canada’s eighth legal online market.
full deck of sports betting options
The launch on Thursday also made Saskatchewan the first Canadian province to launch an iGaming platform in partnership with its First Nations. According to a news release, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA)-operated site includes a full deck of sports betting options and over 500 casino games.
SIGA took to Twitter to share news of the platform’s launch:
SIGA President and CEO Zane Hansen said the province “will now have access to a first-class online gaming and sports betting experience on a secure, regulated platform.”
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) powers the PlayNow platform, which has already rolled out in British Columbia and Manitoba.
An even split
The November 3 launch was first announced last week.
The multi-party arrangement came via a 2021 deal between the province and Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). Through this agreement, revenue from PlayNow in Saskatchewan will be shared evenly between FSIN and the province. Hansen affirmed that “all net proceeds from the PlayNow.com site are reinvested back into Saskatchewan.”
many economic benefits to the residents of the province”
FSIN chief Bobby Cameron said the historical partnership between First Nations and the province “will provide many economic benefits to the residents of the province and our First Nations communities.” Meanwhile, the minister responsible for SaskGaming, Don Morgan, said the platform “is a step forward for the gaming industry and for meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in the province.”
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority regulates the online platform, which is open to Saskatchewan residents aged 19 and older.
Emphasis on safety
PlayNow.com said it expects live dealer games to get added to the platform in December, with a poker portfolio following in 2023. The news release also talked up PlayNow’s GameSense responsible gambling program, which BetMGM casino has licensed for use in the US.
The release stated the program offers a “robust and controlled responsible gambling environment, with features such as pop-up reminders of time and money spent, problem gambling referral information, play breaks and self-exclusions.”
GameSense advisors — specialists who are on standby to “provide personal, real-time responsible gambling support to players who feel they may have a problem” — are available 24/7 via live chat.
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