Through an agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan, proceeds from the sale of lottery products benefit more than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups across the province.
Since 1974, Sask Lotteries has been operated by Sask Sport.
Our Mission
Sask Lotteries is a one-of-a-kind, longstanding fundraiser aimed at enriching the lives of Saskatchewan communities.
Our Values
Our corporate values guide us to ensuring that Saskatchewan sport, culture and recreation participants have the opportunity to learn, play and grow through activities and events in communities across the province thanks to the Sask Lotteries fundraiser.
Integrity
We are guided by truth, fairness and equity. We are respectful, accountable and just.
Teamwork
We are stronger as a team and driven by a spirit of collaboration.
Inclusivity
We develop meaningful ways to promote and foster inclusion within the lottery-funded sport, culture and recreation system.
Community
This is what we are building – at every level.
Our History
To help fundraise against the rising costs of amateur sport, Sask Sport, which was incorporated in 1972 and volunteer-led, wanted to run a lottery. To be granted the lottery licence in the province by the Government of Saskatchewan, founding volunteers Cas Pielak and Joe Kanuka agreed to sign a promissory note to help start a lottery fundraising program.
Tickets for that first lottery, called ‘Saskatchewan Sweetstakes’ started to be sold on Sept. 1, 1973 with a draw on Jan. 3, 1974. The Sweetstakes tickets were $1 with a chance of winning cash prizes totalling $100,000.
Sweetstakes was a success with $197,443 split by sport, culture and recreation groups.
During this time, the Saskatchewan government finalized a deal with Alberta, Manitoba and B.C. to form the Western Canada Lottery Foundation, now the Western Canada Lottery Corporation. Pielak, as president of Sask Sport, lobbied the Saskatchewan government for Sask Sport to become the marketing agent for the Western Canada Lottery Foundation in the province.
Despite other provinces choosing other marketing and operating mechanisms, Saskatchewan opted to leave all day-to-day with Sask Sport, operating the lottery as Sask Lotteries.
In 1974, it was determined that the funds would be placed into the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund and would be distributed to sport, culture and recreation groups as designated by the Government of Saskatchewan.
After 50 years, this arrangement remains.
Bringing sport, culture and recreation to life
1,200
Every year, there are approximately 1,200 organizations that receive direct funding support from the sale of Sask Lotteries, and through them the benefits spread even further.
12,000
Proceeds from the sale of every lottery product purchased through Sask Lotteries benefit more than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups across the province.
330,000
Today, approximately 330,000 volunteers are the foundation of the lottery-funded sport, culture and recreation system. It’s through their contributions that we are able to make a difference.
