Saskatchewan considers online gambling

In Canada, Saskatchewan is reportedly looking into the possibility of developing an online gambling service in partnership with its First Nations in order to harvest some of the revenues currently being lost to offshore operators.

The mid-western province currently operates two land-based casinos in addition to thousands of video lottery terminals through its Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and its announcement follows last month’s news that British Columbia had become the first jurisdiction in North America to launch a government-run online casino with its PlayNow.com domain.

According to a report from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Ken Cheveldayoff, Gaming Minister for Saskatchewan, revealed that the province’s government is ‘very interested’ in the idea of online gambling and is ‘cautiously looking at’ the possibility of following British Columbia’s example.

“The concern is, it's harder to police, it's harder to monitor, you don't know who's on the other end,” said Cheveldayoff.

“We want to make sure it's those that are above 18-years-old and those that are responsible gamers that are taking advantage of it.”

The CBC reported that the officials had held ‘informal discussions’ with members of the province’s First Nations about the possibility of following British Columbia online with Guy Lonechild, Head of the Federation Of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, stating that the issue needs ‘further study’.

“We would take a look at the opportunity and in my first meeting with Premier Wall he talked about [how] he'd rather do this in partnership with us,” said Lonechild.

“We'll hold him to that. We think it's an opportunity.”

Saskatchewan's First Nations operate six land-based casinos throughout the province through the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority with Lonechild stating that he would not want to see any new online offering take customers away from those businesses.

“We have yet further study to do but you can bet we'd be looking at that opportunity,” said Lonechild said.