Key Takeaways
- After the Government of Saskatchewan extended SIGA’s iGaming exclusivity until September 2029, the First Nations gaming operator is replacing its online gambling platform.
- SIGA enlisted Bede Gaming to power the upcoming BetSIGA site, which it intends to launch as a replacement for PlayNow in spring 2027.
- The Saskatchewan non-profit reported 38% net revenue growth for its iGaming operations in 2025-26 amid what it called “heavy competition” from unauthorized operators in the province.
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has selected Bede Gaming to power a new online gaming platform that it plans to roll out in spring 2027.
The First Nations casino operator currently uses the PlayNow site that is owned and operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. PlayNow serves as the only government-authorized iGaming platform in B.C., Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, with each province conducting and managing the offering within its respective borders.
However, SIGA and Bede will work together to design and build its own branded BetSIGA website and app, which it intends to launch in the first half of 2027.
SIGA rethinks iGaming approach amid unregulated competition
Non-profit First Nations gaming operator SIGA has run Saskatchewan’s only authorized online gambling platform since it launched in November 2022. It also operates seven brick-and-mortar casinos in the province:
- Bear Claw Casino
- Dakota Dunes Resort & Casino
- Northern Lights Casino
- Gold Eagle Casino
- Gold Horse Casino
- Living Sky Casino
- Painted Hand Casino
In June, SIGA reported a fourth successive year of record profits and stated that net gaming revenue for its PlayNow-hosted iGaming operations, which boast almost 60,000 registered users, grew 38% in 2025-26 to $12.4m “despite heavy competition” from unauthorized online gambling operators in the province.
In late August 2026, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) amended their Gaming Framework Agreement (GFA) to extend SIGA’s iGaming exclusivity until September 2029.
On Tuesday, SIGA President and CEO Zane Hansen called the new branded platform “an important next step in SIGA’s long-term digital gaming strategy.”
“This will be our own platform, built with a partner that shares our commitment to safe, responsible, and engaging play, and it will continue to share success with revenue distributed to support First Nation communities and Saskatchewan,” added Hansen.
SIGA will migrate players over to the new site once it is available.
Bede Gaming brings iGaming expertise to BetSIGA
SIGA selected Bede Gaming as its technology partner after a competitive procurement process.
Bede is a licensed online gambling platform provider in numerous regulated markets worldwide, including in both Ontario and Alberta. It works with several notable operators, including Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) and PointsBet Canada’s online casino offering.
SIGA said that Bede’s technology will provide many features, including:
- Flexible technology that offers increased personalization
- Responsible gambling tools
- Enhanced geolocation, anti-money laundering, and security capabilities
- Improvements to its SIGA Rewards loyalty program
“This partnership extends far beyond technology implementation,” said Bede Gaming CEO Colin Cole-Johnson. “It represents a significant opportunity to combine trusted technology, deep sector expertise and true operational collaboration.
“SIGA has a clear and ambitious vision for the future of gaming in Saskatchewan, and we are proud to support the team in building a connected digital ecosystem that will deliver exceptional player experiences and sustainable long-term value.”
