Saskatchewan online sports betting laws
The Saskatchewan sports betting scene is still behind many other provinces in the wake of the legalization of single-game wagering in August 2021. However, there are encouraging signs that Saskatchewan online sports betting will become more attractive soon, with progressive steps set to be taken in 2022.
Is sports betting legal in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan sports betting is legal. But for the moment, the only options are available are still parlay bets.
Is online sports betting legal in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan online sports betting is legal, but single-game wagering has not been launched in the province – yet.
How old do I have to be to place a bet in Saskatchewan?
In common with most Canadian provinces, you must be 19 years old to place a bet in Saskatchewan.
How do I start betting in Saskatchewan?
The only way to enjoy licensed Saskatchewan online betting is through the Sport Select service operated in the province by Saskatchewan Lotteries. The only bets available here are the parlays which have been the staple diet of the legal Canadian betting landscape for many years.
If you want to play online here, the process is as follows:
Navigate your way to the Sport Select website Sign Up button.
Verify that you are at least 19 and located within Saskatchewan.
Place some money in your account and you’re ready to enjoy Saskatchewan online sports betting.
Is sports betting legal in Saskatchewan?
The Canadian sports betting marketplace changed forever in August 2021, when the national government finally passed bill C-218. This allowed each province to permit single-game wagering within its borders if it chose to do so.
No fewer than seven provinces instantly rolled out single-game facilities to sports bettors within its territory. Saskatchewan, however, was not among them – and there is some irony to its reluctance to respond quickly to the brave new betting world. The MP, Kevin Waugh, who introduced the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, also known as C-218, to parliament in early 2020 represents Saskatoon-Grasswood, a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan.
Until August 2021, the only form of sports betting allowed anywhere in Canada was parlay bets, where you must choose two or more outcomes. These are less popular than single-game wagers because of the need to get all your selections right to see a return.
Many people in Canada are now enjoying single-game wagers thanks to C-218 – but the inhabitants of Saskatchewan are not among them. The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has however announced plans to launch single-game sports betting in 2022 through a new website and app.
Until then, the only way to bet on sports in the province is through parlays with Sport Select, which is available online and in numerous retail outlets.
While the advent of single-game wagering some time in 2022 will be welcome, Saskatchewan undoubtedly remains behind its neighboring provinces in the adoption of a more bettor-friendly proposition.
It also must face up to the reality that many sports fans in the province already bet with unlicensed offshore sportsbooks. Legally, there is nothing whatsoever to stop people betting with these operators, many of whom offer far greater choice and engagement than Sport Select. However, the fact remains that they are unlicensed, meaning there is no legal recourse for the bettor in the event of a dispute.
The good news for anybody who wants to make a sports bet in Saskatchewan, now or in the future, is that you will be able to keep every cent of your winnings. The Canadian government does not believe that gambling winnings represent a type of income that should be subjected to tax.
However, if you make a living as a professional gambler, you will be liable to tax. It’s also worth noting that if you accrue interest on your winnings, you will have to declare it on your tax return.
Who is allowed to bet on sports in Saskatchewan?
Nothing has changed in Saskatchewan yet in the aftermath of the passage of C-218. This means the restrictions governing who can place a sports bet remain unchanged.
Whether you wish to enjoy Saskatchewan sports betting in a retail store or on the Sports Select online platform, you will need to be at least 19 years old. This is consistent with most Canadian provinces, although in some places you can bet from the age of 18 upwards.
One restriction that must be observed is that you need to be physically located within the province to play on the Sport Select platform. This is unlikely to change when more sophisticated Saskatchewan online sports betting options become available in 2022.
Most modern sportsbooks employ geo-location technology to ensure bettors are present in the relevant territory before allowing them to place a wager.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Saskatchewan
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) have never been made illegal in Canada. In every part of the country, fans of DFS games are completely at liberty to get involved with the most popular offerings.
The result is that the two leading DFS operators in North America, DraftKings and FanDuel, have been offering DFS games to Canadians for several years. As a result, they have picked up substantial loyal followings of regular players across the nation.
Top sports to bet on in Saskatchewan
More than one million people reside in Saskatchewan, and many of them are serious sports fans. The only pro sports side in the province attracts enormous support – and, unusually for Canada, they’re not a hockey team.
Football
When single-game wagers are permitted for Saskatchewan online betting purposes, one team above all other will attract interest in their matches. The Saskatchewan Roughriders, the pro team in the province, command huge and fanatical support and have won the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Grey Cup four times. There will also be serious interest in NFL action too.
Responsible gambling in Saskatchewan
The need for all gambling to take place responsibly is well established across Canada. That ensures there are many agencies, both local and national, that offer practical support and detailed advice to people who feel they may be facing problems as a result of gambling.
The resources offered in Saskatchewan include:
The Responsible Gambling Council, the long-established and respected organization that is viewed as the principal resource of assistance on responsible gambling across Canada.
Problem Gambling is another organization with a significant number of responsible gambling tools that can help anybody concerned that gambling may be causing them issues.
The Saskatchewan government operates a helpline that is available on a 24-hour basis to offer expert help to gamblers.
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority has an extensive list of initiatives and resources designed to prevent and treat problem gambling.
Where can you bet in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan sports betting is currently conducted through the Sport Select offering. This can be accessed in numerous retail outlets including grocery stores and gas stations. There is also an online version of the Sport Select game that is open to people in Saskatchewan.
The province is also home to nine licensed casinos, many of them operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. When the proposed new-look sports betting marketplace opens for business in 2022, it is possible that the casinos will be able to offer some form of wagering.
Single-game online sports betting in Canada
Our interactive map shows the status of betting in each Canadian province and territory. Betting is legal nationwide, but some provinces only allow parlay betting – bets made up of multiple selections, rather than a single one. Other provinces allow single-game online sports betting, as well as parlay betting.
Also note that many licensed offshore websites offer legal alternatives, and our map represents provincially regulated options only.
- Single game betting
- No single game betting
Saskatchewan betting FAQs
Yes, it is – but there is not a wide choice of Saskatchewan betting sites as things stand. You can place a wager online through the Sport Select platform, but this is restricted to parlays – and many bettors prefer to bet with the unlicensed but legal offshore platforms that are available to inhabitants of the province.
After online sportsbooks developed their in-play capabilities, they introduced the cash-out feature. This allows you to take an early payment while an event is still on, allowing you to lock in a profit or minimize your losses. It remains to be seen whether the Saskatchewan betting sites due to launch in 2022 boast this facility.
The lack of choice when it comes to Saskatchewan betting sites means that many people choose to use the legal, but unlicensed, operators offering services in the province. Bettors will always have a personal view on which site is best, but look for a sportsbook with a strong reputation, a wide variety of odds and a good customer experience.
The best online betting sites are operated by respected companies that offer great customer experience, a broad choice of betting markets and generous bonuses and welcome offers. It is to be hoped that the Saskatchewan betting sites due to launch in 2022 compare favorably with their unlicensed but legal offshore rivals.