Saskatchewan Sports Betting

There are many factors that go into ranking the top Canadian betting sites. Here are some of the most important characteristics our team of experts looked for when rating Saskatchewan’s online sports betting companies.

• Reputation - We value the security of your hard-earned money, so having a sportsbook you can trust is of the upmost importance.

• Simple Deposit process - Everyone has their preferred banking methods, so we highly value sportsbooks that offer a wide range of options and process transaction quickly.

• Quick Payouts - Waiting long periods of time for money to transfer creates unneeded stress in your life. Sportsbooks that process withdrawal transactions quickly shoot to the top of our rankings.

• Excellent Sports Coverage - Sportsbooks should tailor to all sports fans around the world. We search for books that offer niche sports and a large variety of betting markets to choose from.

• Top of the line Customer Support - Problems are bound to arise in any industry, and when dealing with money it is a great feeling to have multiple customer service options available to you 24/7.

• Generous Bonuses and Promotions - A betting sites generosity can really set them apart. Taking advantage of sportsbooks that offer the best promotions will help increase your profitability in the long run. 

• Stand out Features - All betting sites have different advantages, so it’s essential to find ones that checks all of the important boxes. Some features we look for are cash outs, same game parlays, live betting, and live streaming. 

Sports betting in Canada has been legal since 1985 with the restriction that all wagers must be parlayed. Companies such as Pro line required customers to make 3-6 selection on one bet ticket, and you would only receive a payout if each was correct.

The Western Canada Lottery Cooperation (WCLC) introduced single game sports betting via Sports Select in Saskatchewan on November 1, 2021. The following year, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and the British Columbia Lottery Corp. (BCLC) came to agreement and launched PlayNow.com which will be the only provincially regulated sportsbook in Saskatchewan until 2027.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Saskatchewan?

Sports betting is legal in Saskatchewan, and its popularity has increased significantly since Bill C-218 was passed in 2021 legalizing single game sports wagering. This is the most popular form of sports betting, and it opens the market up significantly for Canadian bettors. The bill was first introduced in 2020, passed in the house of commons in April, 2021, approved by the senate and given royal assent on July, 2021, and officially declared a law on August 27, 2021.

Who Can Bet on Sports in Saskatchewan?

To place sports wagers in Saskatchewan you must be above the age of 19 and located within the province. Residents can wager online through PlayNow, in person through Sport Select, or online through offshore brands. Non-residents are limited to offshore brands, or Sports Select as long as they are a Canadian Citizen.

Offshore Sportsbooks in Saskatchewan?

Many offshore brands such as Sports Interaction and Bet365 operate legally in Saskatchewan but are not regulated by the province directly. Other betting sites including Fanduel and Draftkings are not available since they require a license from a local gaming commission. All legal offshore brands operating in the province are regulated by governing bodies in other jurisdictions.

Follow these simple steps to sign up for an online betting site and begin your Saskatchewan sports betting career: 

1. Select one of our top Saskatchewan betting sites - Choose from our list of the top Saskatchewan online gambling sites. You can be well assured that each sportsbook is legally operating in the province.
   
   
2. Claim your welcome bonus - This is not a requirement, but we do recommend you read the terms and conditions provided and take advantage of any welcome bonuses that are beneficial to you.
   
   
3. Finalize your account - Enter in all the required personal information needed to create an account. Once your account has been created you will receive a conformation email and have complete access to the betting site. We also recommended downloading one of our top Saskatchewan betting apps.
   
   
4. Make your first deposit - Before you can place your first wager, you must deposit money into your account. Select the deposit option and choose your preferred banking method. Enter in the required information and the amount you wish to transfer. You should receive a conformation email and notice your account balance updated almost immediately.
   
   
5. Place your first sports wager - Now you are free to explore the sites sports betting market and place your first wager. Once you place a bet, the amount you risk will be subtracted from your account balance immediately.
   
   
6. Withdrawal your winnings - Once you are ready to collect some of your earnings, click on the withdrawal button and chose where you would like the money transferred to. Enter in the required banking information and choose how much you wish to withdrawal. Transfer times will vary based on the payment method you choose. 

Popular Banking Methods

Everyone has their preferred way of handling money transfers, but here are some of the most popular methods that sportsbooks tend to feature.

PayPal - One of the most widely offered money transferring option in Canada, Paypal is a mobile wallet that requires you to connect to a chequing account or credit card before signing up.

Apple Pay - Offered on IOS devises, Apple Pay is a e-wallet that stores banking information for each of your individual cards. It unfortunately is not widely accepted by Canadian sportsbooks.

Mastercard - One of the most popular credit/debit cards, Mastercard is accepted by almost all sportsbooks but is limited by slow processing times.

Visa - Both Visa credit and debit cards are popular payment methods, but they are restricted by some banks for betting specifically. Visa offers quick processing times unlike Mastercard.

Bank Transfer - An alternative to digital wallets, bank transfers offer higher withdrawal and deposit amounts. This method provides quick deposit times but is much slower for withdrawals.

Interac - One of the top payment methods for sports betting in Canada, Interac creates seamless transactions to and from your bank account without providing any financial information. Deposits are instantaneous, but withdrawal times often vary. 

Popular Sports to Bet on in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan doesn’t have a big four sports team to call their own, but the province features many lower-level teams that residents are incredibly loyal to. Here are some of the most popular sports to bet on in Saskatchewan.

• Hockey - Ice Hockey is widely regarded as the most popular sport in Canada, and while Saskatchewan does not have an NHL team to call their own, the province does feature five team in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild are the provinces most popular NHL squads.

• Curling - Curling is the provincial sport of Saskatchewan, with numerous world championships to their name and multiple notable Olympic athletes. Sandra Schmirler’s 1998 is widely regarded as the greatest Canadian women’s team of all time.

• Lacrosse - Formerly the national sport of Canada, the popularity of Lacrosse in the country remains incredibly high. The province is represented by the Saskatchewan Rush as one of 15 teams in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

• Football - The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the provinces most widely known professional team, as the popularity of the CFL remains steadily high across the country. When it comes to the NFL, you will find a good amount of both Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers fans.

• Baseball - The popularity of baseball remains high in Canada despite cold weathers and only one MLB team to call their own. The province – like many others – is incredibly loyal to the Toronto Blue Jays.

• Basketball - The introduction of the CEBL has helped increase basketball’s popularity across the country, and the province is proud to call the Saskatchewan Rattlers their own. The Toronto Raptors are obviously one of the most popular teams in the province as the country’s only NBA representative.

Most Popular Markets

Understanding all of the different betting options can seem overwhelming at first. We have put together an explanation for the most popular markets with examples tailored to sports betting in Saskatchewan.

• Moneyline

If you just want to bet on which team will win or lose and not over complicate things, the moneyline wager is for you. You will receive a larger payout if you wager on the underdog since their chances of winning are less likely. The underdog is represented by a negative (-) sign and the favourite is represented by a (+) sign on the moneyline. 

Example – Saskatchewan Roughriders (-120) vs. Calgary Stampeders (+140)

• Point Spread

If you are looking to bet on an underdog or a heavy favourite and receive better odds to win, then the point spread may be the best option. Spreads put win/loss differential stipulations on the wager meaning the underdog can lose the match and you might still win the bet.

Example – Saskatchewan Roughriders (-3.5) vs. Calgary Stampeders (+3.5)

This means the Roughriders would need to win by four or more points and the Stampeders can either win or lose by three or less points.

• Over/Under

If you are not confident in predicting a winner/loser, this is the most common wager available. Oddsmakers will set a fair total they believe both sides will combine to score with the options to wager on the true number being higher or lower (over/under).

Example – Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Calgary Stampeders Over 48.5 (-120) / Under 48.5 (-105)

• Parlays

Combining two or more wagers will give you an increased total payout opposed to betting the same amount spread out across multiple single wagers. The stipulation is that each bet you add to the parlay must be correct or you will receive no money back.

Example – Saskatchewan Roughriders money line + Edmonton Oilers money line (+200)

• Player Props

The prop betting market has increased in both size and popularity over the years, and the possibilities today are beginning to seem endless. Some common wagers for football include total touchdowns, total receptions, and total rushing yards for an individual player, but the options vary between sports.

Example – Connor McDavid over/under 4.5 shot on goal

• Futures

Common wagers are determined in the span of one game, but futures are determined over longer periods of time – oftentimes entire seasons. Popular futures include teams to win the division, season long award winners, teams to win the Championship, etc. 

Example – Connor McDavid to win the Heart Memorial Trophy (+120) 

Other Bets

We have discussed the most common betting markets, but the best sportsbooks in the world included a wide range of options and offer niche sports to wager on. Here are some of the less popular markets that top sportsbooks will feature.

• Esports - A rapidly growing industry that became normalized over the pandemic, esport athletes are now receiving contracts that rival some in person sports. The most popular games include League of Legends, Dota 2, Call of Duty, Rocket League, and Fortnite. 

• Politics - The world is incredible invested in the world of politics, but many are unaware of the betting opportunities that are available. Canadian politics are unavailable on PlayNow.com, but you can find both American and Canadian odds through offshore brands.

• Movie/TV Show/ Music Awards - Betting on the Oscars, Emmy’s, and Grammy is available on PlayNow.com and the majority of offshore brands.

• University Sports - U Sports are a popular market in Canada, but unfortunately there are currently no betting markets available. USA dominates the college sports market, and betting options are available for the NCAA through offshore brands in Saskatchewan. 

If you are looking for teams to wager on in Saskatchewan, here are some of the most popular squads being bet on right now.

• Saskatchewan Roughriders - The provinces most known franchise, the Roughriders are one of nine teams in the CFL and have been around since 1910.

• Toronto Blue Jays - The Blue Jays have an incredibly loyal fan base that travels well across North America to watch the team play. 

• Toronto Raptors - Basketball’s popularity as a whole remains at an all-time high thanks to the 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors and the introduction of the CEBL the same year. 

• Edmonton Oilers / Minnesota Wild - Despite not having an NHL team to call their own, Hockey remains the provinces most popular sport. You will find a good amount of both Oilers and Wild fans in Saskatchewan.

• Green Bay Packers / San Francisco 49ers - Despite not having a professional football league of their own, the NFL remain incredibly popular in Canada. Saskatchewan’s primary franchises are the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.

If you are looking for other ways to bet in Saskatchewan aside from online sportsbooks, here are some options available to you.

Casino - There are currently eight live casinos you will find in the province of Saskatchewan that offer slot machines and popular games including Blackjack and Roulette.

Poker - There are currently five legally operating poker room in the province with weekly poker tournaments and daily cash games. The different games offered include Limit and No Limit Texas Hold em, Seven Card Stud, Omaha, and Omaha Hi Lo at multiple different limits.

Horse Racing - Since 1969, Marquis Downs was the only horse racing venue in the province, but they were forced to close due to the pandemic for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The track will now be used a soccer field in the Canadian Premier League, while Moosomin first nations secured a licence and is currently in the process of creating a new track. 

Lottery - There are numerous lotteries to choose from in the province, but each one is operated by the same company, Sask Sport.

Saskatchewan has numerous recourses available to help with gambling addiction at the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. If you or anyone you know is struggling, call 1-800-306-6789, or visit Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline.

Sportsbook to Avoid

To help you avoid scam sportsbooks, here are some important characteristics that should raise some red flags.

• Banking Issues - Sportsbooks that have reputations of withdrawal requests spanning multiple weeks or winnings not being paid out at all should be blacklisted.

• Unexplained voided bets and odds changes - Voided bets happen, but for good reason. If there is no logical explanation for a cancelled wager or if you notice the odds you locked a bet in at have changed after the fact, you should report the sportsbook immediately. 

• Lack of customer support - We choose sportsbooks that have good reputations and communicate well with their customers for a reason. Not receiving a response in a reasonable amount of time is cause for concern. Most betting sites will indicate the time you should expect to receive an answer.

• Poor security - You are sharing personal banking information with the sportsbook you sign up for, so there is a lot of trust involved. Make sure the site you sign up for has rock solid security measures before sharing any information.

Sports betting is legal across the nation of Canada which is home to 10 provinces and three territories. Age requirements and the number of operational sportsbooks will vary, so make sure to check out our addition provincial betting guides.

Saskatchewan has two provincially regulated gambling methods. There are still numerous offshore brands you can legally wager with online, but here is a detailed explanation of the provinces primary online and offline sports gambling methods.

PlayNow Saskatchewan

Overseen by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), PlayNow.com is the only online sportsbook legalized by the governing body of Saskatchewan. they offer a wide range of options include single game sports betting, live sports betting, live casino betting, and niche betting markets such as Politics and esports. Only residents of the province can place wagers on their website.

Sport Select Saskatchewan

Regulated by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC), Sport Select is known as Proline in Ontario and sells betting tickets at retail locations such as gas stations and convenience stores. The service has a reputation for providing poor odds and has much more limited options than online sportsbooks.