The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) secured an extension to its exclusive online gaming agreement with Saskatchewan’s provincial government through 2029.
Under the arrangement announced in August 2022, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority operates the province’s regulated PlayNow platform. PlayNow remains Saskatchewan’s only authorised online gambling site, while offshore and other unlicensed platforms continue to compete for customers in the province.
SIGA president and CEO Zane Hansen said the regulated online sector was highly competitive and indicated that the organisation intended to expand and further integrate its offering over the following three years.
The provincial government and FSIN also announced a separate pilot project involving 49 slot machines at a planned hotel and commercial development near Meadow Lake. The project is located on Flying Dust First Nation territory in north-western Saskatchewan.
The initiative forms part of a wider strategy to use gaming and entertainment to support Indigenous economic development. Profits generated by SIGA are to be reinvested in First Nations communities across Treaty 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 territories.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said successful First Nations economic development, employment and revenue generation would produce benefits across Saskatchewan. Flying Dust First Nation Chief Tyson Bear described the project as an opportunity to support both his community and others.
Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for lotteries and gaming, said the sector supported provincial employment and economic activity while contributing funding to areas including education and housing.
He also said the pilot could have a substantial impact on Flying Dust First Nation and the wider north-western region.
In related news, Saskatchewan’s regulated gaming infrastructure has continued to expand in recent months, with IGT agreeing to supply the Western Canada Lottery Corporation with 720 additional video lottery terminals for deployment during 2026.
At a national level, Canadian securities regulators have also clarified that sports and entertainment prediction contracts should not be governed through securities and derivatives legislation, while other event-contract categories remain under assessment.
Revenue generated by SIGA supports First Nations communities across Saskatchewan’s Treaty 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 territories
