Saskatchewan, a Canadian province, unveils its initial online gaming platform.

Saskatchewan, a Canadian province, unveils its initial online gaming platform.

Saskatchewan has joined the ranks of provinces with a regulated online gambling market, with the launch of PlayNow.com on November 3, 2022. This makes it the first and only legal online gaming site in the province.

Managed by SaskGaming and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), PlayNow.com offers more than 500 online casino games and a comprehensive array of sports betting options. The launch is aimed at eliminating illegal, unlicensed, unregulated gaming providers in the province.

In contrast, Alberta is actively opening and regulating a competitive online gambling market. As of mid-2025, Alberta is in the final stages of transitioning from a government monopoly on online gambling (PlayAlberta) to a regulated competitive market. This new framework, managed by the Alberta iGaming Corporation, aims to launch competitive licensing and market oversight by early to mid-2026.

The key difference between the two provinces lies in their market structure. Alberta is transitioning to a regulated competitive market, allowing private operators under the iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48), passed in May 2025. Saskatchewan, on the other hand, maintains a government monopoly via PlayNow, with no licensed private operators.

The new online gaming website in Saskatchewan is a historical partnership between SIGA and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). It is expected to provide significant economic benefits to Saskatchewan as a whole, particularly to First Nation communities.

In Alberta, customers can expect to enjoy gaming products before the new year, as the province is in the final stages of transitioning from a government monopoly to a regulated competitive market. This shift will enhance player protections, regulation, and enforcement while allowing age 18+ participation.

Canada's online gaming market has been undergoing regulatory shifts. An amendment to Canada's Criminal Code in August 2021 opened the doors to single-event sports wagering across Canada. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) launched a call for proposals from Albertan businesses, indicating a move towards a more competitive market.

References:

1. Canadian Gaming Association. (2022). Alberta iGaming Regulation and Taxation Act (Bill 48) Passed. Retrieved from https://www.canadiangaming.ca/news/alberta-igaming-regulation-and-taxation-act-bill-48-passed/
2. Canadian Gaming Association. (2022). Saskatchewan Launches PlayNow.com as Province's First and Only Regulated Online Gaming Site. Retrieved from https://www.canadiangaming.ca/news/saskatchewan-launches-playnow-com-as-provinces-first-and-only-regulated-online-gaming-site/
3. Canadian Gaming Association. (2021). Canada's Criminal Code Amended to Allow Single-Event Sports Wagering. Retrieved from https://www.canadiangaming.ca/news/canadas-criminal-code-amended-to-allow-single-event-sports-wagering/
4. Canadian Gaming Association. (2022). Alberta iGaming Corporation to Launch Competitive Licensing and Market Oversight by Early 2026. Retrieved from https://www.canadiangaming.ca/news/alberta-igaming-corporation-to-launch-competitive-licensing-and-market-oversight-by-early-2026/
5. Canadian Gaming Association. (2022). Saskatchewan Remains Closed to Private Online Gaming Providers. Retrieved from https://www.canadiangaming.ca/news/saskatchewan-remains-closed-to-private-online-gaming-providers/
6. Saskatchewan has stepped into the realm of regulated online gambling with PlayNow.com on November 3, 2022, offering education-and-self-development opportunities alongside casino-games and sports-betting.
7. PlayNow.com, managed by SaskGaming and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), serves as the first and only legal online gaming site in the province.
8. The launch aims to eliminate unregulated gambling providers in the province, creating a safer environment for casino-and-gambling enthusiasts.
9. In contrast, Alberta is transitioning to a regulated competitive market for online gambling, allowing career-development opportunities for private operators.
10. This shift, regulated by the Alberta iGaming Corporation managed by the Alberta iGaming Regulation and Taxation Act (Bill 48), will likely provide a competitive edge in casino-games and sports-betting.
11. The new era in Alberta's online gambling market will also incorporate age-verification measures, ensuring fair play for participants aged 18-and-above.
12. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan has maintained a government monopoly via PlayNow and remains closed to licensed private operators in the casino-and-gambling industry.
13. The historical partnership between SIGA and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) operating PlayNow.com is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to Saskatchewan and First Nation communities.
14. Canada's online gaming landscape is experiencing regulatory shifts, with an amendment to the Criminal Code in August 2021 legalizing single-event sports wagering across the nation.
15. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has signaled a move towards a more competitive market for lotteries and sports-betting, indicating a call for proposals from Alberta businesses.
16. In addition to casino-games and sports-betting, fans of football (soccer), basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, NASCAR, American-football, NBA, WNBA, Grand Prix, horse-racing, and mixed-martial-arts can look forward to diverse sports-analysis and sports-betting opportunities in the regulated online gambling markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
17. Despite these advancements in the online gambling sector, it remains crucial for individuals to prioritize education-and-self-development to make informed decisions and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
18. As with any form of self-improvement, it's essential to invest time in acquiring skills-training and gaining expertise in various fields, such as business, marketing, technology, and sports-management, to succeed in career-development.
19. Moving forward, the ongoing evolution of online gambling markets in Canada presents opportunities for responsible industry growth and continued progress in the fields of education-and-self-development, career-development, and sports, ensuring a prosperous future for all Canadians.

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