New legislation presented by the government of Saskatchewan, if passed, will create a commercial crown corporation, Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS). The new entity will oversee gaming policy and management in the province. 

According to a release by the province, the legislation is intended to take effect retroactively to April 1, 2023, with powers coming into effect June 1, 2023.

"Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan will take an industry-wide approach to the gaming sector in our province," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Don Morgan said. "This new Crown will allow us to keep pace with the rapidly changing gaming landscape while maintaining the unique character of having distinct operators in the province, including Sask Lotteries, SaskGaming and SIGA. Gaming proceeds will continue to benefit local community organizations as the legislation maintains current funding models."

The government says the new legislation will:

  • create Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan and sets out its powers;

  • continue Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SaskGaming) as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LGS as of June 1, 2023, and retains the SaskGaming board structure; and

  • retain a number of important funding arrangements, including obligations to First Nations Trust, the Métis Development Fund, and the Community Initiatives Fund as well as the Lotteries Trust Fund Account-consistent with existing legislation and practice.

Once the LGS is empowered, it will oversee all casinos, VLTs, online gaming, and lotteries in the province. The Crown corporation will also lead gaming strategy and the Gaming Framework Agreement on behalf of the province.