Press Release
Monday, June 6, 2022 – Saskatoon, SK – Saskatchewan residents are one step closer to having an official Online Gaming option after SIGA (Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority), along with other stakeholders, and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have officially signed a vendor agreement, last Thursday, for BCLC to begin development on the Online Gaming site.
After an extensive RFP process, BCLC has been selected to provide its turn-key Online Gaming Portal option. BCLC’s PlayNow.com platform will be customized for the Saskatchewan market, and will reflect many of the popular casino games that Saskatchewan residents are accustomed to seeing at casinos, as well as single-event sports betting.
BCLC, whose mandate is to conduct and manage commercial gambling on behalf of the Province of B.C., already provides PlayNow.com to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. PlayNow.com is the only regulated gambling website offered in both B.C. and Manitoba and offers a safe and secure playing experience for its 400+ entertaining casinos, Live Casinos, poker and sports-betting products.
The FSIN and the Province entered into an innovative agreement in September 2021, which enabled SIGA to bring online gaming to Saskatchewan. The agreement is the first of its kind in Canada and further strengthens the partnership between the FSIN and the Province in Saskatchewan’s gaming sector.
“SIGA, is very excited to bring the PlayNow online casino and sports betting experience to Saskatchewan – the PlayNow platform is very competitive against any other online offering. This online offering will integrate into our existing casino operations and will further enhance the entertainment options for SIGA’s and SaskGaming’s customers,” said SIGA President & CEO Zane Hansen.
SIGA will be the official operator of the new Online Gaming Portal as per an operating agreement with SaskGaming. The Portal is anticipated to launch in 2022 for Saskatchewan residents.
“We are excited to be moving forward with the next stage of this project,” said SaskGaming President & CEO Susan Flett. “Online Gaming will modernize the gaming industry in the province and will complement the casino entertainment options available at land-based SaskGaming and SIGA casinos.”
“BCLC is proud to provide its industry-leading PlayNow.com platform to Saskatchewan players, who can soon enjoy the very best in online-gambling entertainment – from exclusive slot games to a full suite of sports betting and casino products,” said Lynda Cavanaugh, Interim President and CEO, BCLC. “Offering a safe and secure online gambling experience that supports positive play, PlayNow.com is the only gambling website in North America and one of few in the world that offers dedicated player-health specialists – known as GameSense Advisors – via live chat.”
About SIGA
SIGA operates casinos in seven locations including Dakota Dunes Resort & Casino on Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon, the Northern Lights Casino on the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Prince Albert, Gold Eagle Casino on the Mosquito First Nation in North Battleford, Living Sky Casino on the Nekaneet First Nation in Swift Current, the Painted Hand Casino on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation in Yorkton, the Bear Claw Casino on the White Bear First Nation near Carlyle and Gold Horse Casino on Little Pine Cree Nation in Lloydminster.
SIGA’s mission is to strengthen the lives of First Nation people through employment, economic growth, positive community relations and achieving financial self-reliance. A non-profit organization, all net profits from SIGA’s casino operations go to local First Nation communities, community development corporations and the province’s general revenue fund. Sharing Success with Saskatchewan communities. SIGA.ca
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