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Online gaming coalition seeks open market in Québec as province reports $11B deficit

The Québec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) believes the province is missing out on a promising opportunity.

The coalition has voiced its displeasure with the Québec government for not reaping the benefits of an open online gaming market as the province reported a record $11 billion deficit in its 2024-25 budget. The group believes Québec is missing out on substantial tax revenue from open gaming, which is projected to reach at least $230 million annually.

The tax revenue could then be allocated toward the economy, health, and education.

“The Minister [of Finance] missed an opportunity to send a clear signal in his budget, following Alberta’s example last week, to take action towards implementing regulations that would protect Québecers while boosting government revenues,” said spokesperson Nathalie Bergeron. “Instead of listening to the experts, who have been calling for regulation of the online gaming market for over 10 years, Québec prefers to protect Loto-Québec’s monopoly, to the detriment of public services and the Quebec society that receives them.”

The QOGC has taken this stance as Ontario drives profits from regulated open gaming.

Canada’s most populous province launched an open market in 2022. In its first year of operation, Ontario’s open gaming market generated $523 million in revenue for provincial and municipal governments. It also added $1.6 billion to Ontario’s GDP.

As a result, the coalition has demanded that Québec’s Minister of Finance review Loto-Québec’s mandate, which makes the crown corporation the province’s online wagering platform. The QOGC is asking the Québec government to establish a regulatory body for private operators in the province to ensure that wagering has proper oversight.

The coalition stands to be heard, with members from some of the world’s largest gambling operators, including DraftKings, Entain, Flutter Entertainment and Rush Street Gaming.

DraftKings launches My Stat Sheet tool to promote responsible gambling

DraftKings has launched My Stats Sheet, a tool designed to help promote responsible gambling.

The feature allows players to view and track their personal stats through a series of “intuitive” charts and filtering options.

According to DraftKings, My Stats Sheet is intended to be used to empower players to make data-driven decisions on their own play which they hope will promote responsible gambling.

“As sports betting technology continues to evolve, DraftKings remains committed to continuously enhancing our robust responsible gaming program,” said DraftKings Chief Compliance Officer Jennifer Aguiar. “The My Stat Sheet tool will help customers evaluate their play and make informed choices.”

Players will be able to see their wins/losses across a number of time periods as well as see data points including time spent on platform, deposits and withdrawals, wagers placed and contest involvement.

The My Stat Sheet feature is now available on all DraftKings and Golden Nugget Products.

DraftKings launched both sports betting and online casino products in Ontario following approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (ACGO) in May 2022.

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in the U.S.

Led by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), PGAM aims to bring together stakeholders across the industry in order to  increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.

As part of the month FanDuel and BetMGM joined Kindbridge Behavioural Health’s Pilot Program which will see players who choose to self exclude from betting platforms be offered access to mental health assessments, treatment and group support services.

The scheme is currently open to BetMGM players in Colorado and FanDuel users in New Jersey and Ohio.

Online casino tech supplier mkodo mets global security standard

B2B online casino tech supplier mkodo has met an internationally recognized standard for information security management systems.

The London-based company, which also provides geolocation services, has received ISO27001:2022 certification for its iGaming services, which are leveraged across Canada by a bevy of operators. The certification solidifies the ability of mkodo and its geolocation brand GeoLocs to deliver strong security measures for their portfolios of clients.

“This certification reflects our commitment to the highest standards of information security,” said mkodo Managing Director Stuart Godfree in a statement. “We are proud to join the ranks of elite organizations that have achieved ISO270001:2022, further solidifying our position as a leading front-end, digital UX and geolocation supplier to the iGaming industry. Our clients can trust us as a reliable and secure partner in the iGaming sector.”

Mkodo underwent an arduous certification process, which included an evaluation of information security policies and procedures. The supplier also had to present plans to protect clients from data breaches and other potential threats.

Mkodo bolsters geolocation business

Earlier this month, the company agreed to a deal to provide its GeoLocs services to High Flyer Casino. The Ontario-based iGaming brand is owned by Ellipse Entertainment and offers a safe and fraud-free environment for players through GeoLocs’ services. GeoLocs also ensures High Flyer Casino meets the regulations and requirements of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

GeoLocs also has deals with other operators in Ontario, including Jumpman Gaming. The geolocation brand provides services to Jumpman’s recently announced The Six Gaming.

The Six Gaming is an iGaming operator that provides access to a variety of games, including slots, bingo, table games, and progressive jackpots. GeoLocs has also secured deals with Rootz and Casumo, which have operated in Ontario since November 2022.

Bally’s chairman makes second attempt at taking company private

Two years after an initial attempt, Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim is once again making an offer to take the Rhode Island-based casino company private.

The operator has a widespread land-based and digital footprint in North America, including an online casino in Ontario the company launched in July 2022.

According to an SEC filing, Soo Kim’s company Standard General has offered to acquire all outstanding shares in the company for $15 ($C20). This represents a 40% premium over what the shares were trading at when the letter was sent.

Standard General, which owns 23% of Bally’s, offered $38 in January 2022 and this decline reflects the steadily falling price of Bally’s shares following its peak of $71 in March 2021.

Standard General’s new offer values the company at just under a billion dollars which is half of the $2 billion it valued Bally’s at when it made its initial offer two years ago.

The expectations set forth in the letter are that the Bally’s board will appoint a special committee of independent directors to evaluate the offer. Two years ago a committee deliberated the 2021 buyout for over a year before rejecting it in May 2022.

Following news of the offer trading on Bally’s stock did rise 11%.

Recent financial results from Bally’s did show revenues were up 6% year-over-year and the North American interactive division saw nearly 27% growth from 2022 with $44.4 million in revenue.

Court issues order on legality of cross-jurisdictional online gaming

Canada’s most populous province could see changes to its rules relating to daily fantasy sports and online wagering.

The government of Ontario has filed an Order in Council with the province’s Court of Appeal to question whether patrons in Ontario can partake in online games and wagering with players located outside of Canada. Ontario, with approval from its Attorney General, is questioning whether online gaming and wagering with players outside of Canada would remain lawful under the province’s Criminal Code as DFS remains a hot topic globally.

Ontario emerged as a new sports betting and igaming market in 2022 but as a result, DFS and sports betting operators DraftKings and FanDuel shuttered DFS operations in the province. The operators removed their fantasy contests due to a lack of cross-jurisdictional liquidity for prize pools in Ontario as a result of a ruling that requires DFS contests to only include players in the province.

DFS operators have to pay the same $100,000 annual licensing fee as sportsbooks, according to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO also forces DFS operators to implement a 20% tax rate on revenue, which is paid to the province.

Despite no DFS operations, FanDuel and DraftKings continue to offer online sports betting in Ontario. That could change to both wagering and DFS if the AGCO changes its jurisdictional rules.

Previous rule changes in Ontario

Last month, the AGCO updated its regulatory framework for iGaming.

The commission approved amendments to the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming to ensure safe and fair practices for marketing and advertising. The changes, which went into effect on Feb. 28, include the banned use of cartoon figures, social media influencers, and celebrities who are likely to appeal to minors in materials provided by licensed operators.

Operators are also barred from using athletes in promotion unless the athlete is explicitly promoting responsible gambling.

NorthStar Gaming breaks into the US as it commences trading on the OTCQB market

NorthStar Gaming has announced that it has been approved to commence trading in the U.S. on the OTCQB Venture Market.

The company behind the Ontario-based NorthStar Bets will be able to trade its common shares on the OTCQB Market under the symbol NSBBF.

The operator also announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the U.S. through the Depository Trust Company (DTC). The DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a U.S. company that manages electronic clearing and settlement for publicly traded companies

“We are pleased to offer another avenue for trading our shares as we work to expand the audience for NorthStar and our unique investment proposition,” said Chair and CEO of NorthStar Michael Moskowitz. “We anticipate that trading on the OTCQB and DTC eligibility will contribute to enhanced liquidity and exposure in the U.S. investment community as we continue to execute on our growth strategy.”

According to NorthStar Gaming, the OTCQB is a leading market for entrepreneurial and development stage companies and it provides international companies with improved access to a wide range of investors, including smaller institutions, family offices and self-directed investors.

The operator confirmed that its common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange. NorthStar began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange in March 2023 following its reverse acquisition of Baden Resources.

In December 2023 NorthStar Gaming partnered with BettorView in order to improve its player acquisition potential from customers in bars and restaurants. BettorView provides bars and restaurants with customizable advertisements where owners can control what betting information is displayed, allowing them to provide relevant and up-to-date betting information.

RGC readies for the return of the Discovery conference to Toronto

At the end of the month, Toronto will once again become the center for responsible gambling discussion in the world. The Responsible Gambling Council’s Discovery Conference returns to the CF Toronto Eaton Centre Downtown Marriott from March 25-27.

The three-day conference is still open for registration to both attend in person or to attend virtually.

Behavioural change expert Dr. Lisa Bélanger will deliver this year’s keynote, entitled Reshaping the Game: Strategies for Behaviour Change in Responsible Gambling. During the talk, Bélanger will look at what factors go into facilitating behavioural changes as well as how to use in-person interactions and tech to help those changes transpire.

In addition to Bélanger, this year’s event includes a range of industry and RG experts, including RGC CEO Shelley White, OLG’s Catherine Meade, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s Mark Vander Linden, NeoSurf’s Andrea McGeachen and UNLV’s Dr. Kasra Ghaharian.

Topics for the conference include culturally conscious programming, advertising, fostering a culture of responsibility, the role of payment solutions in player protection and a focused look at the betting habits of Gen Z.

The festivities will also include a luncheon to honor the recipient of the Tibor Barsony Bursary. The award, named after the founder of RGC, is a $5,000 prize that goes to a Canadian student doing exceptional work in the field of problem gambling research.

Buffalo joins the herd at BetMGM in Ontario

BetMGM has announced that land-based casino favourite Buffalo will now be available at its online casino in Ontario.

Developed by Aristocrat, Buffalo spent over a decade as a slot at brick and mortar casinos before being reimagined by Anaxi, Aristocrat’s online Real Money Gaming business, as an online slot.

“Buffalo gained a huge following with its stunning wildlife graphics and the yell of ‘Buffalo!’ across casino floors. Anaxi did a fantastic job translating a land-based legend to igaming. BetMGM loves bringing big games like Buffalo to our players,” said BetMGM Vice President of Gaming Angus Nisbet.

Anaxi announced a strategic partnership with BetMGM in February 2023 before the slot debuted in Pennsylvania and Michigan in September 2023.

According to the operator, since its debut Buffalo has been a top ten grossing slot at BetMGM as well as receiving an award from Eilers & Krejcik as the Top Performing Omnichannel Slot at the annual EKG Slot Awards.

“BetMGM is proud to bring Buffalo to our Ontario players. It’s already a strong performer in the states and will be a big headliner at BetMGM Ontario, adding to a stellar collection of games,” said BetMGM Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost.

The 20-line 5×4 slot joins BetMGM’s range of 2,500 titles, including 250 games produced in-house by Entain.

Strong showing in Ontario for BetMGM

BetMGM, a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Entain plc, reported net revenues of US$1.96 billion in 2023. It also reported that in Canada it ended the year with a 22% market share in Ontario.

The operator solidified its market presence in North America in 2023, operating in 28 regulated markets and reaching 49% of the adult population. The operator recently expanded into four new markets: Ohio, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico and Kentucky.

Ontario’s Blazsoft lands partnerships with three European gaming providers

Blazesoft is expanding its reach with three new European partners.

The Ontario-based social gaming company has agreed to partnerships with Print Studios, Slotopia, and 4ThePlayer. The gaming providers bring a new catalog of casino-style titles to Blazesoft that are powered by Relax Gaming’s Silver Bullet program, which features a collection of studios that have access to the company’s products and services.

“We are excited at the impact the partnerships via Relax’s Silver Bullet program will have on the growth of all Blazesoft brands,” said Blazesoft Head of Strategic Partnerships and Marketing Yuliya Ivanisova. “Strategic partnerships with its players at the forefront will continue to be Blazesoft’s focus in the future.”

Blazesoft has immediately diversified its offerings with its three new partners.

Bitcoin supporter Slotopia offers traditional slot games that also include a modern twist. Print Studio, which builds its games in-house, offers experienced casino players with intensified gameplay options while 4ThePlayer develops on mobile-friendly titles.

Blazesoft steadily building portfolio

Last month, the company saw its Zula Casino business add over 450 gams.

Zula added to its catalog through partnerships with another group of European gaming providers, which include crypto-focused Onlyplay, Estonia-based Gamzix, and Print Studios.

Blazesoft has also expanded its reach in North America through its acquisition of Sportzino.com. The platform offers casino-style games and a free-to-play-social sportsbook. Sportzino has over 200 games and markets, including options for the NBA, NHL, and UEFA.

New tribal casino and resort in Alberta prepares for opening

A tribal casino in Alberta is preparing to open its doors.

Bear Hills Casino & Travel Resort hosted a VIP and media tour event on Wednesday ahead of the facility’s opening later this spring. The casino and resort will be operated by the Louis Bull Tribe, which is one of four reserves in the Maskwacis community. Bear Hills will provide a plethora of new employment opportunities as the project undergoes construction.

“It’s important to note that every one of you are here today because you have had a role in getting us to this place. Here, inside the walls of a casino that, just a few years ago, was not much more than a dream. Here, in a place that will provide job and career opportunities to more than 80 residents of Maskwacis and Central Alberta,” Bear Hills President and CEO Gordon Rauscher told event attendees.

The gathering featured roughly 100 attendees made up of Louis Bull Tribe community members, tribe leadership, and partners of the project including TD Bank. The project is also backed by First Nations Bank of Canada and Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis.

Bear Hills Casino emerges as a promising venture

The new facility is in the first phase of its construction, which will include a Petro-Canada petroleum station, public facilities for highway travelers, the casino, and a performance stage. Later phases of development will include a hotel, event center, and restaurants.

Bear Hills Casino, which was first approved for development in 2019, will be designed to attract a bevy of gambling enthusiasts with 200 slot machines and 10 table games.

The facility, which has secured financing from multiple lenders, will receive a $500,000 grant for construction that was announced by Hon. Rick Wilson, who is the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin and Minister of Indigenous Relations for the Government of Alberta.