The history of gambling in Saskatchewan is rich. Before the European settlers arrived, First Nations communities were already playing games of chance. For example, they played La Crosse (Stick Game), a fast-paced game using small objects and sticks. They also played Parcheesi, a strategic board game involving moving pawns and dice rolls. Besides entertainment, these games provided cultural significance and symbolism.
However, things changed when the British and French settlers arrived. They came with new forms of gambling, including lotteries and card games. These games became popular until 1892, when the Parliament of Canada passed the Criminal Code. This law effectively banned any type of gambling in Canada. Its proponents argued that gambling is against the religious beliefs of the country.
This status quo remained until 1969 when the government amended the Criminal Code. This amendment ushered in the modern gambling scene by allowing provincial governments to regulate gambling within their borders. Saskatchewan wasted no time in doing that after establishing the Saskatchewan Lotteries Corporation (SLC) in 1974. It was among the first Canadian provinces/territories to regulate gambling activities.
Today, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, a subsidiary of the SLC, oversees gambling in this province. This body launched the first land-based casino in the province, Bear Claw Casino, in 1993. In 2022, the regulator launched PlayNow.com, the only legal online casino platform in Saskatchewan. This website provides casino games, lotteries, and sports betting services. You must be at least 19 years old to gamble in Saskatchewan.
Note that Saskatchewan doesn’t bar its residents from joining offshore casinos. Federal law allows Canadians to join any casino site licensed in the UK, Malta, Curacao, and other jurisdictions. But as it stands, operating a casino site within this province’s borders is illegal. This is despite numerous First Nations of Saskatchewan believing that operating a casino site on the sovereign tribal land is legal.
Here’s a breakdown of the current gambling status in Saskatchewan:
Gambling status | Legal |
Regulator | Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority |
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 | Casino games, live poker, sports betting, lottery, table games, live dealer games |
1892: Canada’s parliament passes the Criminal Code to ban all gambling activities nationwide.
1969: Canada’s parliament revises the Criminal Code to allow individual provinces to regulate gambling.
1974: The Saskatchewan Lotteries Corporation is formed.
1993: Bear Claw Casino becomes the first commercial land-based casino to launch in Saskatchewan. The government also introduces Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs).
1996: The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is established.
2022: PlayNow.com becomes the first licensed gambling site in Saskatchewan. This platform is also legal in Manitoba and British Columbia.
Online casino sites in Saskatchewan provide real money or free games. These options are available on PlayNow.com and offshore casinos. Free games use virtual money that cannot be withdrawn or redeemed. The idea is to have fun without risking anything. So, why play these games when you can stake and win real money?
The liberal state of gambling in Canada means hundreds or even thousands of casinos operate here. That’s a good thing because gamers have unlimited options. However, paddling through these waters to find the ideal platform can be tasking for beginners.
Don’t worry; we have compared and reviewed dozens of casinos in Saskatchewan to list only the best. We’ll share the key factors we evaluate in our detailed reviews of all casino sites. Here is our Saskatchewan casino selection guide:
License and validation:
The best casinos in Saskatchewan are licensed locally and internationally. At Casino.com, we ensure our recommended casinos have valid licenses in Canada, Curacao, Malta, and other countries. This proves the casino has passed through a thorough vetting process before approval.
Safety and security:
We only rate casinos that prioritize player safety and security. Our top choices are SSL encrypted and strongly focus on player protection measures and responsible gaming practices.
Bonuses and promotions:
Our experienced editors scour the whole province to find casinos with the most generous offers. We also dive deeper into the bonus T&Cs to ensure we recommend casinos with the friendliest bonus offers.
Game selection:
There are many things to look for in a good gaming site. However, the game quality and quantity may be the most important. Casinos in this guide provide thousands of game titles from respectable software developers.
Deposit and withdrawals:
We know how important it is to have secure and reliable banking services. Our recommended casino sites only process payments via trusted channels. We ensure that all deposits and withdrawals are swift and free.
Device compatibility:
The main essence of gambling online is to play anywhere at any time. For this reason, we only recommend casinos that are compatible with all mobile and desktop platforms.
User experience:
This is another factor that you should never underestimate. Top Saskatchewan casinos provide outstanding gaming experiences. We ensure the platform is straightforward and runs seamlessly without delays or crashes.
Customer support:
All the casinos on this page provide quick and informative support. Our team ensures that the casinos offer round-the-clock support via multiple channels. Support is also available in numerous languages.
No-deposit bonus:
There is no better way to start your Saskatchewan online gambling experience than getting a no-deposit offer. The best casinos in this province can reward you with bonus credits or spins for merely signing up.
Match bonus:
This is the most common welcome bonus at Saskatchewan casinos. After registering and depositing money, the casino can reward you with a deposit percentage. New members can receive a match bonus for several deposits.
Minimum deposit bonus:
Sometimes you don’t need to deposit big money to claim a bonus. Top-rated casinos in Canada can provide $1 or $10 deposit bonuses. Just make the specified deposit to collect your free spins or bonus credits.
Free spins:
Most casinos in Saskatchewan give free spins to their new and loyal members. These are free rounds on a specified slot or your favourite title. Note that free spins in the welcome package have different conditions.
Reload bonuses:
These casino rewards can be free spins or match bonus credits for loyal players. Simply top-up your casino balance on the specified day of the week or month to claim this offer. These bonuses can also have promo codes.
High roller bonuses:
These are rewards for high rollers. You must make a hefty minimum deposit to qualify for these bonuses. The terms and conditions for high-roller bonuses are often friendlier than those of standard rewards.
Cashback:
In this promotion, you’ll earn bonus rewards after spending money at the casino. Cashback is a percentage of your actual money losses over a reference period. For instance, you can get a 5% cashback for Monday losses.
Refer a friend:
Invite your friends or family to join the casino and collect a reward if they deposit money. It’s simple: copy the player referral code and share it with your friend. They’ll use that link to register on the casino.
Gambling with real money is a big deal in many regulated regions. Gamblers in some countries, like the US, pay taxes if they win. But in Canadian provinces, including Saskatchewan, casual gamblers don’t need to worry about paying taxes. Everything you win, including a progressive jackpot, is yours to keep.
However, professional players who get their livelihood from gambling pay taxes. The Canada Revenue Authority will ask how much you win and if you paid taxes. In addition, casual gamers must complete the T3 and T5 forms if they invest and get interest from gambling winnings.
It’s also worth mentioning that licensed Saskatchewan’s real money casinos pay taxes. The provincial government gets 25% of the total revenue collected, whereas 50% goes to the First Nations Trust. The remaining 25% goes to the Community Development Corporations.
Bear Claw Casino was the first land-based casino to launch in Saskatchewan. It’s a small casino operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. Here, you’ll find 130+ slot machines and several table games. This venue also has a restaurant, lounge, and a 35-room hotel.
Casino Regina is an iconic venue in the town’s former Union station. This state-run venue was opened in 1996 and houses 800+ slots, 35+ table games, and several poker rooms. Casino Regina employs 600+ people in the city.
Casino Moose Jaw is a government-owned venue, just like other casinos in the province. This $13 million facility was opened in September 2002, consisting of a gaming floor, hotel, and spa. You can play 250+ slots and several table games at Casino Moose Jaw.
This venue was opened in 1996 to provide a top-class First Nations entertainment experience. Gold Eagle Casino includes a gaming floor with 330+ slot machines and electronic table games. You can also sign up for different promotions at this casino.
Northern Lights Casino has a 42,000-square-foot gaming space. You can play 550+ slot machines and 11+ table games. This venue also has a lounge, restaurant, and a separate smoking area.
Dakota Dunes is an 84,000-square-foot facility that opened its doors in 2007. It includes a restaurant, casino, multi-purpose restroom, and golf course. Dakota Dunes Casino has 620+ slot machines and several poker and table games.
Launched in December 1996, this popular venue attracts 300,000+ guests annually. It boasts an 18,000-square-foot casino with 225+ slot machines. You can also play several poker and table games.
Living Sky Casino is a multi-First Nations Casino opened in 2008. It’s a 60,000-square-foot venue with 200+ slot machines, eight table games, and two poker tables. This location also offers world-class entertainment and incredible cuisine.
