Online gaming steps into Saskatchewan's digital landscape with the introduction of the province's first gaming platform.
Alberta and Saskatchewan Embrace Different Approaches to Online Gaming
In a significant move towards modernizing its gaming industry, Alberta is set to launch a fully regulated online gaming market by mid-2026. This transition is made possible by the passage of Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, in May 2025. The legislation marks a shift from the government monopoly, PlayAlberta.ca, to an open, licensed private operator model, with competitive market licenses expected to be issued by Q2 2026.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will oversee gaming operations during this transitional period, with the new Alberta iGaming Corporation (AIC) taking charge post-launch. The legal gambling age in Alberta remains 18, and strong player protections, licensing, and regulation will be implemented to ensure safety, consumer protection, and regulatory compliance, similar to Ontario's regulated online gaming market.
Contrasting with Alberta's progressive approach, Saskatchewan has not enacted a comparable regulatory overhaul for online gaming. The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC) continues to operate and regulate online gambling platforms, with no recent legislative moves to open the market for private operators or to liberalize the online gambling sector in the same competitive manner as Alberta. Saskatchewan's regulations are generally more conservative, maintaining government control rather than transitioning to a competitive licensing model.
| Feature | Alberta | Saskatchewan | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Regulatory Framework | Bill 48 (iGaming Alberta Act) passed; transition to licensed private operators by Q2 2026 | No comparable reform; government-controlled online gaming| | Market Type | Moving from monopoly (PlayAlberta) to open competitive licensing | Mainly government monopoly or controlled market | | Regulatory Authority | Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) with Alberta iGaming Corporation oversight upcoming | Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation operates and regulates | | Legal Gambling Age | 18 years | Usually 19 years (standard for many provinces)| | Player Protections and Compliance | Emphasis on strict AML, KYC, and social responsibility with new standards planned | Established but less dynamic regulatory environment | | Launch of Regulated Market | Expected early to mid-2026 | No major regulatory changes planned or announced |
In Saskatchewan, PlayNow.com, managed by SaskGaming and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), is the sole regulated option for online gamblers. The launch aims to eliminate illegal, unlicensed, unregulated gaming providers in the province. PlayNow.com offers over 500 online casino games and a comprehensive array of sports betting offerings.
The partnership between FSIN and SIGA is a first of its kind, with a First Nations operator for online gaming and revenue sharing between First Nations and the Province. The launch of PlayNow.com is considered a positive step by Bobby Cameron, chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), and is expected to provide significant economic benefits to Saskatchewan as a whole, particularly to First Nation communities in the province.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Eddy Cheung, with a personal connection to Kai Tak, Hong Kong's former gambling city, shares his experiences there. Kai Tak, with its lights, music, and buildings, was enchanting to Cheung even at a young age.
The regulatory shifts in Canada's online gaming market followed an amendment to the Criminal Code in August 2021 (Bill C-218), and Ontario already has a regulated online gambling market, becoming the first in Canada to do so in April 2020. Single-event sports wagering is now allowed across Canada. Zane Hansen, president and chief executive of SIGA, expressed excitement about being the exclusive provider of Saskatchewan's first and only legal online gaming site.
In Saskatchewan, despite Alberta's transition to a competitive online gaming market, PlayNow.com remains the sole regulated option for online gamblers, offering not only casino games but also sports betting. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the experience of Eddy Cheung, who has a personal connection to Kai Tak, the former gambling city, highlights a different context.
