Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Legislation Introduced

The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced legislation today to create Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS), a new commercial Crown corporation that will oversee gaming policy and management in the province.

When passed, the legislation will take effect retroactively to April 1, 2023, with full conduct and management powers coming into effect June 1, 2023.

"Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan will take an industry-wide approach to the gaming sector in our province," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Don Morgan said. "This new Crown will allow us to keep pace with the rapidly changing gaming landscape while maintaining the unique character of having distinct operators in the province, including Sask Lotteries, SaskGaming and SIGA. Gaming proceeds will continue to benefit local community organizations as the legislation maintains current funding models."

Gaming regulation will be consolidated within Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

This new model will improve cohesiveness, consistency and transparency of the sector while eliminating overlap in regulatory and gaming management roles.

The new legislation:

• creates Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan and sets out its powers;
• continues Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SaskGaming) as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LGS as of June 1, 2023, and retains the SaskGaming board structure; and
• retains a number of important funding arrangements, including obligations to First Nations Trust, the Métis Development Fund, and the Community Initiatives Fund as well as the Lotteries Trust Fund Account-consistent with existing legislation and practice.

When fully operational, LGS will oversee all casinos, VLTs, online gaming, and lotteries in the province. The Crown corporation will also lead gaming strategy and the Gaming Framework Agreement on behalf of the province.