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OLG releases RFP for new Windsor casino operator

The Ontario and Lottery Gaming Corporation (OLG) has stepped up its quest to find an operator for its Windsor casino by releasing Request for Proposal (RFP) documents to pre-qualified proponents.

OLG released a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) to identify a ‘highly qualified’ operator back in April, described by President and CEO Duncan Hannay as “the first step in selecting a highly qualified service provider that will ensure the long-term competitiveness of the site while continuing to generate economic benefits for the local community and for Ontario.”

Proponents were subsequently selected through OLG’s RFPQ process, which closed on May 25, before receiving the RFP documents as the Crown corporation advances the process.

OLG said in a statement on Tuesday: “The integrity of the procurement process is of the utmost importance to OLG. Public procurements involve information of a commercially sensitive nature. As a result, details of the RFP documents and the names of pre-qualified proponents will not be released by OLG while the process is ongoing.

“Additionally, there will be no further communication by OLG about the RFP for the Windsor casino until the selected service provider is announced.

“OLG has engaged the services of a Fairness Monitor to provide oversight and advice throughout the procurement process.”

The Windsor casino is currently known as Caesars Windsor, with the operator signing a one-year contract extension last year to take the partnership to August 2025.

OLG also included the option to further extend the term for a minimum of six months and up to a maximum of 12 months, ending no later than August 2026.

Caesars was given the opportunity to participate in the RPFQ process.

iGO reports downturn in Q2 gaming revenue despite record wagers

iGaming Ontario (iGO) has released its FY23-24 Q2 market performance report, revealing a 8.3% decline in total gaming revenue for the three-month period.

The report covers the second quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year, July 1 – September 30, and includes information on all operators with gaming websites that had trading activity during the period.

According to the report, $14.2bn was wagered in Q2 (excluding bonuses), up 132% YoY (FY23-24 Q2: $6.04bn) and up slightly on the $14bn wagered in the prior quarter, which was a record.

However, while Q1 generated $545m in gaming revenue, Q2 recorded a slightly lower figure of $540m, though this still represents a 105% increase over Q2 last year where the market was still in its infancy.

Speaking at G2E earlier this week, Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGO, shared her verdict on the report before its official release.

“The Q2 results are very consistent and stable with what we saw in Q1,” said Otton, according to Gaming News Canada. “When you take into consideration the months we just covered, which you know is slow sports (period), we’re very pleased.”

The report also noted an increase in the number of operators, from 46 to 47, while the number of gaming websites remained at 71.

The number of active player accounts also jumped from 920,000 in Q1 to around 943,000, with the average monthly spend per player account decreasing from $197 to $191.

Otton added: “One of our challenges is just the quality of data that we’ve been getting from operators. When you deal with 47 operators, a number of them who have never operated in Canada or in Ontario…I’ll be honest, that’s been a challenge for us. We want to ensure the data is accurate before we go public on it.”

Casino games including slots, live and computer-based table games and peer-to-peer bingo accounted for nearly $11.9bn (84%) of total wagers and $407m (75%) of gaming revenue in Q2, compared to $28bn (78%) and $940m (67%) in Q1.

Betting, including on sports, esports, proposition and novelty bets, as well as exchange betting, accounted for nearly $1.9bn (13%) of total wagers and $118m (22%) of gaming revenue, down from $2bn (14%) and $138m (25%) in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, peer to peer (P2P) poker made up $397m (3%) of total wagers and $16m (3%) of gaming revenue, up from Q1 where it accounted for $350m (3%) and $15m (3%) respectively.

The split is likely to change in the next Q3 report, though, with the NFL, NBA and NHL seasons all well underway during that period.

Rivalry adds slots category on Casino.exe, Ontario on standby

Rivalry has confirmed an expansion to its casino offering with the introduction of a custom-branded slots category on Casino.exe.

The interactive casino platform now features more than two dozen slot-style games to add to the Toronto-based firm’s casino offering, which generated $57.5m in betting handle in Q2 2023.

“Rivalry’s entry into the casino segment last year has quickly grown into a meaningful source of player activity and revenue,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO, Rivalry.

Rivalry Slots features its own custom-branded page within Casino.exe, leaning into what the company describes as “early-2000’s internet design” to present games to users in a “unique and relevant visual environment”.

The slots page includes several interactive elements and Easter eggs intended to surprise users as well as differentiate Rivalry’s overarching product suite by weaving entertainment into the betting experience.

“Our product philosophy is at its core about creating fundamentally entertaining experiences,” said David King, Director of Product Design at Rivalry.

“Rivalry Slots delivers that entertainment factor by wrapping an ordinary product in design nostalgia to not only be relevant to a young Millennial or Gen Z customer, but also strategically differentiate our offering from the countless other online casinos players have to choose from.”

According to Rivalry, the addition of slots will “support greater capture and retention of the igaming audience”, which is estimated to be approximately 14% larger than online sports betting on a global basis.

Rivalry’s slots category is available today in most of its international markets and will be released in Ontario “in the coming weeks”.

“Slots are far-and-away one of the most popular online casino genres and will markedly complement our existing igaming offering in terms of both betting handle and player satisfaction,” Salz added.

“We’ve also maintained our high product standard by uniquely incorporating slots into our proprietary Casino.exe platform, which will allow us to continue scaling our igaming catalog without compromising the premium experiences that users come to Rivalry for.”

NorthStar Gaming readies nationwide launch of online casino and sportsbook

Following the launch of its betting platform in Ontario in May 2022, NorthStar Gaming has today announced its online casino and sportsbook will soon be available in every Canadian province and territory.

In a move expected to “significantly expand NorthStar’s addressable market and accelerate its growth”, the NorthStar Bets gaming platform will now be offered around the country.

NorthStarBets.com will be offered through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company acquired earlier this year with the purchase of Slapshot Media as the first step towards national expansion.

“We are thrilled to take this groundbreaking step and become a truly national brand,” said Michael Moskowitz, Chair and CEO of NorthStar Gaming.

“As a Canadian company, we are confident we understand local consumers better than the large international competitors and that we offer a premium experience that best meets their needs.

“We expect the Canada-wide launch to be an important catalyst that drives growth in our customer base and revenues for years to come.”

Subsequently, NorthStar has begun a multi-channel promotional campaign to create awareness of the brand among Canadians.

With the tagline “That’s a Win,” the campaign emphasizes the “premium gaming experience” delivered by NorthStarBets.com.

In addition to national advertising and social media, NorthStar will utilize in-market promotions over the next two months built around major events across various regions of the country.

Meanwhile, the firm has assured its customers in Ontario that they can continue to access the platform through the existing NorthStarBets.ca website.

Elsewhere, NorthStar recently announced a new feature that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize sports bets for players.

Continent 8 brings in Jeremie Kanter to lead new regulatory division

Continent 8 Technologies has confirmed the appointment of Jeremie Kanter as its new Director of Regulatory Affairs.

Kanter has been tasked with overseeing the new C8 Comply division, the company’s new regulatory advisory practice supporting clients with global online gambling regulations.

Continent 8, which has been present in Canada since the company’s inception in 1998 and has bases in both Montreal and Toronto, is currently in the midst of global expansion, and the firm is counting on the likes of Kanter to help it reach new regulated markets across the world.

Michael Tobin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Continent 8 Technologies, explained: “Jeremie is one of the most experienced and skilled regulatory and compliance specialists in the industry, and this makes him an incredibly valuable asset to Continent 8. I’m very pleased to welcome him to our team.

“Regulation and compliance are the foundation of Continent 8’s business and bringing Jeremie on board as we continue to grow aggressively across regulated markets will be fundamental to our success in these jurisdictions, as well as those where we currently support our customers.”

Kanter boasts a host of experience in navigating the global gaming industry and the regulatory landscape of global markets in a long career spent in senior management roles.

He has spent time with an array of gaming industry firms including William Hill, PokerStars, SBTech, Playtech and Stations Casino amongst others.

“Continent 8 is one of the most established and reputable companies in the sector and has been supporting its customers in regulated markets for 25 years now,” said Kanter.

“I know the team well and I am excited to be joining such a reputed company, and looking forward to leveraging my industry experience and skillset to help Continent 8 achieve its ambitious goals.”

Alongside global expansion, Continent 8 has launched numerous new solutions including regulated cloud environments, critical cybersecurity solutions and more.

Subsequently, Continent 8 aims to leverage this knowledge to strengthen its position as the ‘go-to infrastructure provider’ of choice for operators and suppliers targeting global regulated markets.

Canadian Gaming Business magazine explores what next for Canada and looks back at CGS ‘23

SBC Media has published the digital edition of the Canadian Gaming Business Magazine, Volume 16, No. 2, which takes a look at the past, present and future outlook of the nation’s burgeoning gaming market. 

Published to coincide with the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, the CGB magazine chronicles some of the key events of the last few months in Canadian gaming, and looks ahead to where the next big events could take place. 

Scott Vanderwel, CEO of PointsBet Canada, appears as the cover story interview, discussing the future of the business after the US division was sold to Fanatics. Vanderwel also chats about how PointsBet has found a new home in Canada, as its localized strategy and new technology hub in Toronto helped the Australian-based firm put down new roots. 

Meanwhile, Catherine Meade, VP of Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility at OLG talks all about her role, the career that led her to fight for communities and social responsibility, as well as how the corporation helps to provide a social good to Ontario. 

Away from Ontario, the magazine explores whether Quebec could move to regulate an online gaming framework through a conversation with the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition, whilst Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis chat all about its charitable gaming model and how it supports local good causes. 

CGB Magazine also recounts the highlights of the Canadian Gaming Summit 2023, the inaugural edition of the event that SBC produced in collaboration with the Canadian Gaming Association. Over 2,000 delegates descended upon the Metro Toronto Convention Center in June, and CGB Magazine will recall just some of the high-quality conference content that was on show. 

The issue shines a light on some of the key quotes from the most enticing panel sessions, while a gallery of some of the best images offers a glimpse into some of the fun that can be had at the Canadian Gaming Summit 2024 next year. 

As always, Canadian Gaming Business receives an update from Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, who takes the opportunity to update stakeholders about the key advocacy and regulatory work that the body is working on this year. 

There are a whole host of other stories to dive into in this issue of the CGB Magazine, including interviews with a First Nation leader and lottery executives, as well as insights from the worlds of AML compliance, casino hardware, and gaming law. 

You can read Volume 16, No. 2 of the Canadian Gaming Business Magazine by clicking here.

SBC Media unveils ‘The Ontario Frontier: Exploring the iGaming Landscape’ documentary

SBC Media has today premiered its first full-length documentary which follows the Ontario iGaming story on its journey to becoming one of the hottest and most competitive jurisdictions in the entire industry.

Titled ‘The Ontario Frontier: Exploring the iGaming Landscape’, the documentary was filmed on location at Canadian Gaming Summit 2023, where three huge names in the industry were on hand to offer their insight and expertise.

Martha Otton, Executive Director at iGaming Ontario, Shelley White, CEO at Responsible Gambling Council, and Scott Vanderwel, CEO of PointsBet Canada, all took part in interviews to discuss key events which have helped shape the market into what it is now.

Speaking to us directly on the documentary launch, SBC’s Multimedia Editor James Ross said of his intentions for the film;

“The main focus was to capture the hurdles that were associated with the market launching and also highlighting the successes and unforeseen stumbling blocks, and casting our eye into the future of the market. Having Shelley, Martha and Scott provide their insights also offered us a range of perspectives and I can’t thank them enough for offering their time.”

In addition to this, Ross spoke about the documentary process acting almost as a culmination to a period of personal and professional interest in the evolution of Canadian iGaming;

“During my time working on SBC Media’s CasinoBeats site, Ontario’s development had always piqued my interest and I watched its progress closely.

“Both in the lead up to the market’s launch, and how the market was performing post launch – my promotion to SBC’s Multimedia Editor perfectly aligned with the Canadian Gaming Summit, the year anniversary of the market and my first experience of Canada.”

You can watch the full documentary by clicking here or on the SBC LinkedIn page.

Real Luck Group suspends betting on Luckbox, pivots for B2B future

Real Luck Group has announced the “immediate suspension” of betting and player registrations on its B2C platform, Luckbox.com.

The development arrives just weeks after the Calgary-based company signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a potential merger or acquisition.

At the time, Real Luck Group CEO Thomas Rosander said that he expected an initial capital injection into the company by the end of September.

However, the firm has determined that the potential transactions under consideration are “not viable” and are “not currently in the best interest of the company and its shareholders”, with a failure to secure the required capital injection due to “persistently challenging conditions in the capital markets”.

Subsequently, Real Luck Group has underlined its intent to restructure its operations, with an immediate suspension of betting and player registrations on its esports betting platform and a shift towards more cost effective B2B activities.

“B2C has generated all the company’s revenue to date, but achieving profitability will require significantly more capital than launching the B2B platform,” Real Luck Group detailed in a statement.

The firm has assured Luckbox players that they can continue to withdraw their funds, which are segregated from its operational funds

Furthermore, Real Luck has emphasised that it now continues to explore further strategic and operational options, such as a potential merger, acquisition, or a capital raise for growing its B2B or restarting B2C operations.

“Any potential transaction which is determined by the board of the company to be in the interest of the company and its shareholders may be, ultimately, contingent upon approval from the TSX Venture Exchange and the company’s shareholders, as applicable,” it added.

“There can be no assurance that this process will result in any specific financial transaction. The company does not plan to provide updates on the status of the transaction unless there are material developments to report.”

Meanwhile, Real Luck Group confirmed that Jo-Anne Archibald (Company Secretary) and Benn Timbury (COO) both resigned as officers last month, with Timbury continuing to support the company as an adviser.

NorthStar leans on AI for new sports betting tool in Ontario

NorthStar Gaming has this week unveiled a new feature that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize sports bets for players in Ontario.

Developed by AI and machine language personalization software provider Epoxy.ai, the new tool “learns” player betting patterns and preferences to create increasingly individualized “best fit” betting options.

The AI tool sifts through vast amounts of data to give insights that help bettors discover high-quality bets that align with their preferences. The more a customer uses the NorthStar Bets platform, the more effectively the AI can offer relevant betting options that save time and simplify the betting process.

The feature is a first for the Ontario market and is expected to help NorthStar attract new users, drive engagement, and “significantly enhance” the overall betting experience for players.

“NorthStar is committed to innovate in ways that deliver unique added value to our discerning customers,” said Michael Moskowitz, Chair and CEO of NorthStar Gaming.

“Today’s consumer is accustomed to online products and services that are personalized to their preferences, whether it be for shopping, music or TV streaming.

“Personalization creates betting experiences tailored to the user, presenting them with what they want, how and where they want it.”

The beta version of the product has been integrated into the NorthStar Bets platform and is now available for single bets, parlays, and same-game parlays.

Elsewhere, NorthStar recently entered into a $10m subscription agreement with Playtech.

CasinoCanada’s Dmitry Rogalchuk: Canada – a culturally diverse marketplace

Dmitry Rogalchuk, Head of Content at CasinoCanada, shares his view of the Canadian igaming sector and how his company is making swift progress in what is becoming a highly-competitive marketplace for affiliates.

Thanks for chatting with us, Dmitry! For our readers that might not know, can you give us an overview of CasinoCanada?

The CasinoCanada project was created specifically for Canadians, for easy and quick acquaintance with the world of the gambling industry. We created the site to enable players to find out all about online casinos and everything connected with online gambling and the most popular online casinos in Canada. It includes content on slots and tables like blackjack, as well as the best bonuses for Canadian players. All of this information is available on one website to save them time and money.

Tell us about your role at CasinoCanada – how did you come to join the company?

I have worked as a chef for 10 years, but I always loved casino games. I wanted a change of career, so I left my successful job in catering and started from the very beginning as a content manager and built my way up.

As a Head of Content at CasinoCanada, I’m overseeing and managing the creation, distribution, and optimisation of all content related to the online casinos in Canada and the latest gambling trends. I’m doing my best to make sure that the project has a strong online presence, is engaging to Canadian readers, and is compliant with industry regulations.

The Canadian market opened up its doors to regulated betting and gaming in April last year. What would you say are the biggest opportunities and challenges for casino affiliates within the Canadian market since the region was regulated?

First off, let’s start with the opportunities such as increased market size. The regulation of the Canadian market has expanded its potential customer base, allowing casino affiliates to tap into a larger audience and target Canadian players with legal certainty.

This has led to more diverse player preferences. Canada is a culturally diverse country with various player preferences. Casino affiliates can capitalize on this by offering a wide range of gaming options and catering to different demographics and preferences.

Furthermore, there’s bigger potential to forge partnerships with licensed operators. With the region’s regulation, licensed operators are now available in the Canadian market and casino affiliates can form partnerships with them, enabling them to promote trusted and legally compliant gambling platforms, fostering credibility and trust among players.

But there are challenges, not least of which is increased competition. As the Canadian market becomes regulated, it attracts more players and operators, leading to heightened competition among casino affiliates. Affiliates need to differentiate themselves through unique offerings, attractive promotions, and high-quality content to stand out.

Additionally, on the compliance and licensing front, regulatory requirements and licensing procedures can be complex and stringent. Casino affiliates must ensure compliance with the regulations, acquire appropriate licenses, and maintain adherence to responsible gambling guidelines to operate legally and ethically.

As with any changing legal landscape the regulatory environment can evolve, leading to potential changes in legislation and regulations. Casino affiliates need to stay updated with the evolving legal landscape, adapt their strategies accordingly, and ensure compliance with any new requirements that may arise.

How important is it that affiliates such as yourself balance both innovation and social responsibility? And how does this help build trust with your readers?

Balancing innovation and social responsibility is crucial for affiliates and businesses in various industries, including gambling and other sectors. This balance helps build trust with readers and customers and ensures long-term sustainability. I can highlight the following main points::

Meeting customer expectations:

Customers often seek new and exciting experiences. Innovation allows affiliates to stay relevant by offering unique and engaging content or services. Meeting customer expectations also means providing a safe and responsible environment. This ensures that customers’ well-being is prioritized over profit.

Responsible gambling promotion:

Innovative approaches to responsible gambling promotion can include the development of user-friendly tools and technologies to help individuals set limits, self-exclude, or monitor their gambling behavior.

From the perspective of social responsibility, promoting responsible gambling practices demonstrates a commitment to customer welfare. This can include educating readers about the risks of gambling, promoting self-control, and providing access to support resources for those facing gambling-related issues.

Building trust and credibility:

Introducing novel, customer-centric features can enhance the reputation of an affiliate. Customers trust companies that continuously strive to improve their services and offer better experiences. At the same time, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility builds trust with customers. They are more likely to engage with affiliates that prioritize their well-being over profits.

Compliance with regulations:

Innovating within the framework of regulations is essential. This might involve creating new, compliant features or ensuring that innovative solutions adhere to legal requirements. This includes not only maintaining legal compliance but also contributing to responsible gambling. Compliance measures can include age verification, fair gaming practices, and anti-money laundering procedures.

Positive brand image:

A brand that consistently introduces innovative solutions is often perceived as forward-thinking and customer-focused. Demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility enhances a brand’s image as a responsible and ethical organization.

In summary, innovation keeps the offerings fresh and appealing, while social responsibility ensures that the business operates ethically, prioritizing the well-being of customers.

As we understand, CasinoCanada has been tapping into artificial intelligence to enhance the overall gaming experience for your readers. How is AI helping you to do this?

This innovation will allow users to better evaluate the risks associated with gambling and make the gaming process safer. AI in online games also has other advantages that CasinoCanada will make use of.

Our next planned feature is to allow users to have the AI analyze all available offers and suggest the best one based on their deposit amount and game preferences as well as the bonus types, wagering requirements, and withdrawal speeds of the casinos.