Saskatchewan's gambling history is quite extensive. Long before European settlers arrived, First Nations tribes engaged in various games of chance. One notable game was La Crosse (Stick Game), a lively game played with sticks and small items. Additionally, they enjoyed Parcheesi, a tactical board game involving pawns and dice that held cultural significance beyond mere entertainment.
However, significant changes ensued with the arrival of the French and British settlers who introduced new gambling forms such as lotteries and card games. These games were widely embraced until 1892 when Canada's Parliament enacted the Criminal Code, which prohibited all forms of gambling in the country, backed by arguments centered on religious beliefs.
This prohibition remained until 1969 when the Criminal Code was amended, allowing provincial governments to manage gambling regulations within their territories. Saskatchewan promptly took action by creating the Saskatchewan Lotteries Corporation (SLC) in 1974, becoming one of the first regions in Canada to oversee gambling activities legally.
Currently, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, which operates under the SLC, manages the gambling landscape in the province. They inaugurated Bear Claw Casino, the province's first physical casino, in 1993. Fast forward to 2022, the regulator launched PlayNow.com, the sole legal online casino platform in Saskatchewan offering a variety of gaming options including lotteries and sports betting. Players must be at least 19 years old to participate in any gambling activities in Saskatchewan.casino games It's important to note that Saskatchewan residents are free to register with offshore casinos. Federal regulations permit Canadians to access any casino site that holds licenses from the UK, Malta, Curacao, and other recognized jurisdictions. However, establishing a casino site within the province itself is illegal, even as several First Nations in Saskatchewan maintain that operating a casino on sovereign tribal land is lawful.
Here’s a summary of the current gambling situation in Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
Gambling status | Legal |
Regulator | Casino games, live poker, sports betting, lotteries, table games, live dealer options |
Legal gambling age | 19 (casinos), 18 (lotteries) |
Legal online gambling | Yes (PlayNow.com) |
Legal sports betting | Yes (PlayNow.com) |
Land-based gambling venues | 8 |
Regulated games | Overview of Gambling History in Saskatchewan |
The following is a brief timeline highlighting key events in Saskatchewan's gambling history and regulation:
1892: The Parliament of Canada enacts the Criminal Code banning all gambling activities across the nation.
- 1969: The Criminal Code is revised, empowering provinces to oversee their own gambling regulations.
- 1974: The Saskatchewan Lotteries Corporation is established.
- 1993: Bear Claw Casino becomes the province’s inaugural commercial land-based casino, and Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) are introduced.
- 1996: The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is formed.
- 2022: PlayNow.com is launched as the first licensed gambling platform in Saskatchewan, available in Manitoba and British Columbia as well.
- Online casinos in Saskatchewan offer both real money and free gaming options, with platforms like PlayNow.com and various offshore sites providing such opportunities. Free games utilize virtual currency, which cannot be cashed out, allowing players to enjoy gaming without financial risk. So why choose these games instead of staking actual money?
Free Playing in Saskatchewan
Playing free games is an entertaining way to engage without any monetary stakes involved.
- You can access free games without needing to create an account or make any deposits.
- Utilize free games to experiment with new titles and determine your favorites.
- Free games offer a chance to try out new strategies without any potential losses.
- Participate in free games to familiarize yourself with bonus features, game volatility, side bets, and return to player rates (RTPs).
- The liberal gambling environment in Canada hosts hundreds, if not thousands, of casinos, a favorable scenario for gamers seeking a plethora of choices. Nevertheless, finding the right platform can be overwhelming for newcomers.