Canada: SIGA to launch online gambling app in Saskatchewan in alliance with BCLC this fall

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) announced Monday it has selected British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) to develop its online gambling app, customizing its PlayNow.com platform for the Saskatchewan market. 

The app is expected to be ready by fall, and will offer casino games such as poker, blackjack and slots, and single-event sports betting. SIGA and BCLC have officially signed a vendor agreement for the product last Thursday.

As reported by Regina Leader-Post, SIGA President and CEO Zane Hansen said during a Monday interview: “This one we’re really excited about. We’ve seen the success of it in other provinces. So, we think this is going to be just a great offering to bring in and really augment the experience here in Saskatchewan."

SIGA President and CEO Zane Hansen

Half of the profits will be distributed through the First Nation’s Trust for initiatives on First Nations, while the other half will go towards provincial revenue for health, education and infrastructure. 

While the platform was developed in partnership with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the provincial government, SaskGaming will be responsible for the conduct and management of the online gaming platform, while SIGA will be in charge of operations. 

Once the app launches, it will be given five years of exclusivity to offer regulated online services. Other online unlicensed platforms will exist in “the grey market," but Hansen explained that users will have assurance and certainty because they are playing through a platform that follows rigorous standards and is licensed, giving the product advantage.

“Processing and recognizing our customers, and paying them promptly will be second-to-none on that front. I think there’s a lot of advantages," SIGA's CEO further commented, according to the cited source.

SIGA announced today, along with other stakeholders, that they have officially signed a vendor agreement for BCLC to begin development on the Online Gaming site.https://t.co/x3kzW639I8…@casinoregina @casinomoosejaw @fsinations pic.twitter.com/qsUCLgGDTV

— SIGA (@HomeSIGA) June 6, 2022

He also referred to the burgeoning single-event sports betting market, which he believes will amplify interest in the app, and described the PlayNow betting capabilities as “first-class." 

“When you look at the content and what they bring forward, it’s really interesting to see," the executive said. "They have some good partners working with them to bring in a really good solution."

In British Columbia, where single-event sports betting has taken off, BCLC reported residents there had placed more than CAD 25 million ($19.9 million) in bets within two months of it becoming legal. SIGA, which operates casinos in seven locations across the Saskatchewan province, estimates the app will initially bring in CAD 20 million ($15.9 million) to CAD 25 million per year.

“We are excited to be moving forward with the next stage of this project,” added SaskGaming President & CEO Susan Flett. “Online Gaming will modernize the gaming industry in the province and will complement the casino entertainment options available at land-based SaskGaming and SIGA casinos.”