A new Gaming Framework Agreement has been signed between the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the province to make SIGA the provincial operator of online gambling. SIGA will now put out an RFP to the public to determine who will be the service provider for the new platform.

It’s expected that Saskatchewan residents will be able play casino games and bet on sports via their phones, tablets and computers come 2022.

Reg Bellerose, the Chair of SIGA’s board says the purpose of the platform will be to create revenue rather than jobs. “Prior to COVID, we (SIGA) were about 1700 people, we are now at about 1100 people. So we had to revamp our company and now our company looks different. This opportunity is less about labour, because it’s more technical.”

The revenue from the program will be split 50/50 between the FSIN and the province. Bellegarde says they hope to bring in somewhere between 20 and 25 million dollars for their First Nations through the platform.

Single-game sports betting will be made available through the service, although the Western Lottery Corporation will be in charge of single-game betting at store kiosks when it’s expected to roll out later this fall.