FAQs

Responsible Gaming

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health coordinates prevention, treatment and education services for problem gambling in cooperation with regional health authorities, community-based organizations, gaming industry representatives and community stakeholders. A range of programs, services and strategies focus on prevention, intervention, treatment services, and public information.

Gambling helpline: Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. Saskatchewan's problem gambling helpline provides professional counseling, as well as confidential referral and information services. Call the helpline toll-free at 1-800-306-6789 or visit the helpline's website.

Counselling services for people experiencing problems related to their gambling and for their families are available free of charge to Saskatchewan residents. To find services in your area, contact the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

 

 

Lotteries

Proceeds from Saskatchewan Lotteries are distributed as follows:

In total, more than 1,200 organizations and communities across Saskatchewan receive direct funding from lotteries proceeds.

Sport, culture and recreation services are delivered to the people of Saskatchewan through three independent, non-profit organizations: Sask Sport, SaskCulture, and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.

The Government of Saskatchewan has authorized ticket lotteries as a dedicated fund-raiser to support a volunteer-driven delivery system for sport, culture and recreation, since 1974. In partnership with Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, proceeds from Sask Lotteries support a wide range of sport, culture and recreation programs and organizations across the province.

This partnership is governed by the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation agreement, which enables funds to be granted to eligible communities and non-profit organizations in the areas of sport, culture and recreation. The Trust Fund receives its money from the net proceeds of Sask Lotteries ticket sales.

Eligible organizations are designated by the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport based on established criteria. Volunteer committees from the sport, culture and recreation communities review and adjudicate all funding requests from eligible organizations made to the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund.

 

Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)

To apply to have VLTs at your licensed tavern or restaurant lounge, please visit our "Obtaining VLTs" page for more information and a downloadable application form.

 

LGS contracts with Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) to operate the VLT program. There are 4,200 VLTs located in licensed taverns and restaurant lounges throughout the province. Some of the services WCLC provides include training, installation, and maintenance of the VLTs and central operating system, as well as providing a toll-free hotline for assistance.

Net revenues from VLTs are divided as follows:

  • 82 per cent less expenses to the Government of Saskatchewan’s General Revenue Fund to help pay for essential programs and services such as infrastructure, health care and education.
  • 18 per cent to the businesses that participate in the VLT program.

The SaskVLT.com website has an online VLT locator.

 

Casinos

There are nine permanent casinos in Saskatchewan—seven First Nations casinos and Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw.

Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw are operated by the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SaskGaming), a wholly-owned subsidiary of LGS.

  • Casino Regina opened in January 1996.
  • Casino Moose Jaw opened in September 2002.

Net profits from Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw are divided as follows:

  • 50 per cent of revenues are retained by the Government of Saskatchewan's General Revenue Fund;
  • 25 per cent go to the First Nations Trust; and
  • 25 per cent go to the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF).

The government's General Revenue Fund helps fund essential programs and services for all Saskatchewan people in areas such as health, education and infrastructure.

The First Nations Trust supports economic and social development, justice, health, education, culture and other First Nations initiatives.

The CIF distributes casino profits to many different community initiatives that benefit Saskatchewan people, including exhibition associations and community groups for projects that enhance human development and community vitality. The fund is administered by an independent, government-appointed Board of Trustees and is accountable to government through the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Net profits from Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw are divided as follows:

  • 50 per cent of revenues are retained by the Government of Saskatchewan's General Revenue Fund;
  • 25 per cent go to the First Nations Trust; and
  • 25 per cent go to the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF).

The government's General Revenue Fund helps fund essential programs and services for all Saskatchewan people in areas such as health, education and infrastructure.

The First Nations Trust supports economic and social development, justice, health, education, culture and other First Nations initiatives.

The CIF distributes casino profits to many different community initiatives that benefit Saskatchewan people, including exhibition associations and community groups for projects that enhance human development and community vitality. The fund is administered by an independent, government-appointed Board of Trustees and is accountable to government through the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) operates casinos in Lloydminster, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Yorkton, on the White Bear First Nation near Carlyle, and on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation south of Saskatoon.

Net profits from SIGA’s seven casinos are divided as follows:

  • 50% to the First Nations Trust
  • 25% to Community Development Corporations
  • 25% to the Government of Saskatchewan’s General Revenue Fund

The First Nations Trust supports economic and social development, justice, health, education, recreation, culture and other First Nations initiatives. The Trust is administered by an independent board of trustees. Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Government Relations is responsible for monitoring the Trust's administration.

Community Development Corporations (CDCs) fund economic and social development, justice, health, education, recreation, culture and other related initiatives among First Nations and non-First Nations charities in and around the communities where SIGA casinos are located. CDCs are run by independent boards in each community and are comprised of representatives from Tribal Councils and from the local community and surrounding area.

The provincial government's General Revenue Fund helps fund government initiatives in support of social and economic objectives such as health, education and infrastructure.

 

Online Gaming

Operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), PlayNow is Saskatchewan’s only safe, secure, legal way to gamble online. Choose your welcome bonus when you sign up for PlayNow Saskatchewan.

 

Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan

Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) is a new commercial Crown corporation that was created to oversee gaming policy and management in the province, including management oversight for lotteries, VLTs, casinos, and online gaming. Full conduct and management powers for LGS came into effect on June 1, 2023.

Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SaskGaming), which operates Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw, is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of LGS.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) provides regulatory oversight for the province's gaming activities while management oversight has been consolidated under LGS. Separating management and regulatory functions for the lotteries and gaming sector aligns with gaming best practices.

Management of the province's VLT program moved from SLGA to LGS. Management of online gaming moved from SaskGaming to LGS. Regulation of lotteries was transferred to SLGA to amalgamate regulatory oversight for the province's gaming activities. SLGA continues to license charitable gaming, and lotteries continue to be operated by SaskLotteries (Sask Sport) and the Western Canada Lottery Corporation; however, the province's lotteries are now overseen by LGS. SIGA continues to operate its seven casinos across Saskatchewan, with oversight moving from SLGA to LGS.

LGS will take an industry-wide approach to Saskatchewan's gaming sector while keeping pace with the rapidly changing gaming landscape. The unique character of having distinct operators in the province—including Sask Lotteries, SaskGaming and SIGA—has been maintained. Gaming proceeds will continue to benefit local community organizations, and existing funding models will be maintained. LGS will not make changes to the province's gaming and lottery operators and all beneficiaries of net gaming and lottery income will remain unchanged. Lotteries proceeds will continue to support sport, culture, recreation and community groups across Saskatchewan.