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: