SIGA will have information tables set up at all seven SIGA casinos, providing patrons with resources to help identify and minimize risky gambling behaviours, information about where to seek help with problem gambling, brochures about gambling myths, and general information about the randomness of casino games. (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

By paNOW Staff

Use your Game Sense

SIGA reports thousands engaging with responsible gambling tools amid growing online risks

May 5, 2026 | 11:04 AM

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has launched its Spring Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, May 4 to 15, across all seven of its casino locations in the province. It comes as the organization reports significant engagement with problem gambling resources while also warning about rising online gambling exposure.

During the last awareness week in November, more than 3,700 users accessed responsible gambling tools, and over 1,000 patrons completed surveys during the campaign. Digital outreach tied to the awareness week generated more than 1.75 million ad views across social media and other platforms. The SIGA GameSense website also logged 5,058 direct visits during the same period.

While SIGA does not release figures on voluntary self-exclusions from its casinos due to confidentiality, it said the program remains widely used and actively promoted as part of its harm reduction strategy.

“Self-exclusion is actively promoted at every casino and through every awareness campaign,” said Lillian Denton, SIGA’s director of corporate social responsibility. She said staff are trained to help patrons enroll in the Voluntary Self-Exclusion program in person or remotely, with options ranging from six months to five years. The program also extends to SIGA’s online gaming platform, PlayNow.com.

“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week was created to raise awareness of the risks involved when gambling and to provide information on the resources available in Saskatchewan to assist individuals in making informed decisions about their gambling,” Denton said.

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The campaign is held twice annually, in May and November, and is used not only to distribute information but also to collect feedback from players about gambling behaviour and available supports.

“It’s not just about handing out brochures; it’s a genuine, ongoing conversation with our players,” Denton said.

The organization also points to a network of provincial and community-based supports, including the 24-hour Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Help Line, which provides confidential counselling and referrals, as well as treatment programs through organizations such as the Prince Albert Grand Council Holistic Wellness Centre, File Hills Qu’Appelle White Raven Healing Centre, and the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Responsible Gambling Outreach Treatment Program.

The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Gambling Awareness Program and the First Nation Addiction Rehabilitation Foundation (FNARF) are also part of the broader support system, along with financial counselling services for individuals facing gambling-related debt.

Denton said SIGA contributes $2.25 million annually to FNARF to support prevention and treatment programs for First Nations communities.

She said the increase in online gambling options has made responsible gambling messaging more urgent.

“The rise of online gambling broadly has made awareness more critical than ever,” Denton said, noting SIGA operates Saskatchewan’s only regulated online casino, PlayNow.com.

The platform includes built-in responsible gambling features such as limits and self-exclusion tools that are not always present on unregulated offshore sites.

At the same time, Denton raised concerns about the broader advertising environment for online gambling, pointing to what she called a “grey market” of operators advertising in Saskatchewan without provincial licensing.

“We would like to see tighter regulatory controls and heavier penalties for those advertising or operating as ‘grey market operators,’” she said.

SIGA said its awareness campaigns are designed to highlight both risks and available supports as gambling options expand.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

by paNOW Staff

SIGA reports thousands engaging with responsible gambling tools amid growing online risks

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