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SIGA unveils its first sports bar at Dakota Dunes Casino

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has officially opened its first sports bar at Dakota Dunes Casino in Saskatchewan.

The new ‘Seven Sports Bar’ allows players to bet on sports at the bar using SIGA’s online sports betting system, recently launched through PlayNow.com.

The platform only went live in the province last November but has already achieved “tremendous success” according to Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA).

Commenting on the opening of the sports bar at Dakota Dunes, SIGA CEO Zane Hansen told MBC News: “We wanted to compliment PlayNow.com with a really immersive experience at our casinos.

“We wanted to bring in all of these state of the art viewing systems and really create something incredible for the customer.”

The new bar – which opened its doors for the first time last Tuesday – features seating, a full dining menu, several big screen televisions, and a jumbo 18x30ft television.

Hansen said the launch of online betting was the “foundation” for the sports bar’s completion, adding that there are plans to have similar venues at other casinos.

“Every floor will have a different space and availability in size, but there will be a whole formula we work around to elevate the standards for ourselves.”

Fortune Coins Casino & Relax Gaming forge new partnership in dual drive for growth in Canada

Fortune Coins Casino, which recently launched its online social casino in eight provinces across Canada, has now confirmed a new partnership with Relax Gaming.

Under the terms of the deal, Fortune Coins will have access to Relax Gaming’s portfolio of casino games, including titles such as the Great Western series, which will be added to the existing library of games.

In accordance with Fortune Coins’ business model, all titles will be free to play on FortuneCoins.com.

Yuliya Ivanisova, Head of Marketing and Partnerships at Fortune Coins Casino, commented: “We are excited to partner with Relax Gaming and offer our players a wider selection of high-quality games.

“Our goal has always been to provide the best possible gaming experience to our users, and this partnership is a big step towards achieving it.”

Relax Gaming’s portfolio of slot games, made up of inhouse titles and aggregated third-party slots, allows online casinos like FortuneCoins to target a wide range of players through one quick integration process.

This aggregation platform enables casinos to expand their game libraries, providing players with more variety.

Nadiya Attard, Relax Gaming CCO, added: ‘Teaming up with a leading provider in the social casino space like Fortune Coins is an exciting venture for us as we continue expanding the reach of our content across Canada and the US throughout 2023.”

Fortune Coins Casino is live in eight provinces but is yet to enter Ontario or Quebec.

Adam Smith lands full-time CEO role at FSB after aiding Ontario entry

FSB has confirmed the appointment of Adam Smith as CEO on a permanent basis, following completion of a successful three-month interim period.

Smith’s interim stint as CEO of FSB saw the firm enter Ontario in February, as the global B2B sportsbook and online casino service provider helped to power the launch of its long-term partner Fitzdares in the regulated Canadian province.

Speaking after FSB went live in its fourth continent, Smith described it as a “hugely important milestone” in the company’s history, and his role in that achievement has been rewarded.

Mohit Kansal, Managing Director at Clairvest, the private equity group bankrolling FSB, commented: “We are delighted that Adam has agreed to come onboard as full-time CEO effective immediately.

“Adam’s commitment and impact at FSB in a short few months with the support of the senior management team has been exemplary.

“We look forward to working closely with him and FSB towards a bright future.”

Prior to his appointment at FSB, Smith was UK Managing Director and Group Board member at Valcon – a technology and consultancy business focused on digital transformation and big data.

His prior experience also includes running a number of large scale, complex, multi-jurisdictional regulated market delivery programmes as well as leading successful business scaling and transformation initiatives in Telcom, Travel, Market Data, Manufacturing and IT sectors.

Reflecting on his appointment as CEO, Smith said: “Taking full-time charge of FSB is a great thrill for me. What became clear during my three month period as Interim CEO was the opportunity that lies ahead for our organisation.

“The combination of our dynamic proprietary platform technology alongside our driven, determined people and Tier 1 partnership portfolio gives us every reason to look forward with confidence.

“Having taken our first assured steps in North America last month we are now well positioned to move forward boldly in 2023 with our core markets and products strategy.

“Working closely with our committed private equity partners, Clairvest, I’m hugely energised to accelerate the growth of our award winning company.”

Ontario First Nation ‘outraged’ at OLG & GCE over new Great Canadian Casino Resort

News of Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto opening this summer has gone down like a lead balloon at the Mississaugas of Scugog First Nation (MSIFN).

Great Canadian Entertainment shared details on the brand-new $1bn entertainment resort earlier this week, revealing it would feature a PlaySmart centre in partnership with Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG).

However, MSIFN has expressed its anger at the decision, saying it is “appalled” and “outraged” as the organization prepares to mediate, in the coming months, its disputes with the government over the expansion of gaming in the GTA.

In 2016, MSIFN – as the owner of the Great Blue Heron Casino – entered into agreements with the government and OLG, as part of Ontario’s modernization scheme.

The agreements, in part, were meant to ensure that the Great Blue Heron Casino would be operated in a ‘comparative manner’ to other government casinos in the GTA, and revenue would be provided to MSIFN to support development and services for the First Nation, including the provision of clean drinking water in the community.

“We entered into our agreements with OLG and the government with a shared understanding that OLG and the government would act in good faith and in accordance with their Honour of the Crown obligations, and in particular their contractual obligations set out in the agreements,” said MSIFN Chief, Kelly LaRocca.

“Once again, the government is acting without any engagement with MSIFN and is acting to disadvantage the Great Blue Heron Casino at MSIFN.”

When Great Canadian Entertainment won the bid to redevelop the Toronto-area casinos, LaRocca applauded the selection, particularly for the government choosing a Canadian company. Since then, the tribe has repeatedly raised concerns about how land-based expansion has been executed in the state.

Mediation between the Ontario government and MSIFN regarding the government’s actions to date is scheduled to commence this summer.

Meanwhile, GCE is expected to announce an opening date for its new casino in the coming weeks, with the existing Casino Woodbine continuing to operate as normal in the meantime.

LaRocca continued: “We’ve been engaging with the government, OLG, and Great Canadian Entertainment on these issues for years, and finally we’ve reached the point of entering mediation in the coming months.

“Once again, however, the Ford government chooses to implement its decisions and ask questions later. It’s utter disregard for our First Nation and the Honour of the Crown. We continue to focus our good faith efforts on the mediation and will brace for whatever comes next.”

Real Luck Group beats monthly betting handle record as operators eye up new B2B product

Real Luck Group and its B2C subsidiary Luckbox have recorded successive record-breaking months after achieving $2.8m in global betting handle last February.

The Calgary-based company closed the fourth quarter of 2022 with a $1.6m global betting handle before going on to generate over half of that in January alone.

Now, the group has nearly doubled its monthly handle again, despite the hindrance of three fewer days in February.

Monthly revenue also grew 110%, mainly driven by focusing on player margins, where the average revenue per customer increased by 127% MoM.

Furthermore, in just six months, the company’s registered player base now stands at 350,000.

Thomas Rosander, Real Luck Group CEO, commented: “The continued growth in our player acquisition efforts is a testament to our team’s focus on the strategy we outlined in August 2022. In a short timespan, our team has also built an extremely scalable technology platform.”

Rosander also provided an update on its ‘transformational’ new B2B product, first announced in January.

“We are excited to announce that several top-tier betting operators are now exploring our proprietary B2B live micro-betting product. We are developing this in-house, and this new vertical will add lucrative new revenue streams to our existing operations; given this, our business model will evolve.

“We look forward to sharing our progress.”

Real Luck Group has outlined its desire to continue focusing on driving player value, ‘as indicated in the January update and demonstrated throughout February’, with global betting handle and player revenue to remain as key performance measurables in B2C growth.

iGO under pressure as operators condemn ‘due diligence’ bank charge

Operators in Ontario have communicated displeasure at the prospect of receiving an invoice from iGaming Ontario (iGO) demanding payment for ‘due diligence’ undertaken by its bank.

As reported by Gaming News Canada, iGO informed operators last month that, if they had launched before Dec. 31, they would be invoiced an amount “ranging from $25,000 -$150,000 based on iGO’s determination of their expected annualized GGR”.

iGO’s Feb. 21 notice explained the bank fees are for “the due diligence processes it conducts before operators can begin to make deposits to iGO bank accounts”.

The notice continued: “A large number of operators entering an iGaming market that is newly regulated has meant that iGO’s bank has conducted a high volume of due diligence activities.”

This has not been received well by operators, however, many of which have taken umbrage with the application of Section 5.5.2 of the Finance Policy, Chargeback of Fees.

“We’ve written [to] iGO on their behalf to express their displeasure,” said Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns.

Some operators have taken a more direct approach and contacted iGO themselves.

“The industry needs to understand that there’s cost certainty and regulatory certainty,” Burns continued.

“This is a highly competitive market. Having surprises and unplanned costs, no matter how big or small, disrupts business plans.

“None of the operators heard from the banks, and didn’t know due diligence was being done.”

In response to an enquiry by GNC, iGO said it “cannot comment due to the confidential nature of its operating agreement(s) with operators”.

Meanwhile, Amanda Brewer, Canadian Country Manager at Kindred Group, was another to express frustration with the banks.

Brewer said: “Despite repeated attempts by the industry – the Canadian Gaming Association, iGaming Ontario, and individual operators – to invite the banks to the table so they could educate themselves on the standards and the stringent AML/KYC regulations that all operators must uphold, they refused, and this is the result.

“An industry created by the province to generate jobs, economic development and revenue was ignored. What signal does this send to future industries that want to do business in Ontario?”

OLG’s RG program to feature at new Great Canadian Casino Resort in Toronto

Great Canadian Entertainment has announced its $1bn Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto – due to open this summer – will stage a PlaySmart centre to promote responsible gambling.

The brand-new entertainment resort is being billed as Canada’s largest destination casino resort at a 33-acre footprint and will feature a modern Vegas-style casino, integrated 400-room hotel, 5,000-seat live entertainment venue and multiple on-site dining options.

Opening its doors at the intersection of Highways 401 and 427, Great Canadian Entertainment is determined to promote safe play as it does at all of its casinos across the province of Ontario.

To help facilitate this, the organization has enlisted the help of its partner Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG), striking an agreement that will see the construction of a PlaySmart centre which will provide players with gambling knowledge and tools to help build and maintain positive play habits.

“We see this as an unprecedented opportunity to introduce an entirely new, world-class experience in Canada that will bring together the best in casino gaming, exceptional live entertainment, dining, and accommodation in one very special place,” said Matthew Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian Entertainment.

“We are very excited to reveal more about what this landmark destination will feature and what our guests can expect in the coming weeks, including the announcement of an opening date. This project has been several years in the making, and we are thrilled that we are close to bringing it to life.”

The existing Casino Woodbine will continue to operate with no interruption until Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto debuts its new, ‘re-imagined’ destination, with an opening date set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Future Anthem increases Canada expertise as Jessica Wu becomes Head of Marketing

Future Anthem has confirmed the appointment of Jessica Wu as its new Head of Marketing to help deliver on the company’s ‘ambitious’ growth plans in North America.

The AI and game data science firm is bidding to make a serious splash in the market and the recruitment of a marketing specialist in the region appears to be the next stage in helping to complete a major objective; to become a leader in the North American sports betting and online casino landscape.

Wu joins the company after two years as the Head of Marketing in Canada for Betway, where she was responsible for leading all marketing strategy in the region as the sportsbook and casino made its debut in the newly regulated Ontario market.

Leigh Nissim, Future Anthem CEO, commented: “We are home to the brightest minds in the business, and I am thrilled to be welcoming Jessica to the Future Anthem team.

“She brings valuable industry and market experience, having enjoyed demonstrable success at Betway in North America, and she comes equipped with fresh and exciting ideas that can help propel us to new heights as we continue our global expansion.”

The appointment of Wu – whose experience includes regulated markets, GTM strategy, sports, and acquisition marketing – follows the arrival of Matt Nichols as General Manager of the Americas last October as Future Anthem steps up its expansion efforts in the region.

Laura Bird (Chief Financial Officer) and Ian Tibot (Chief Product Officer) have also joined in senior roles within the last 12 months to help the company grow its workforce by 54% and aid its growth plans.

Commenting on her appointment at Future Anthem, Wu said: “I am passionate about crafting stories that resonate and building brands that people love.

“It’s an optimal time to build out the marketing strategy and I’m very excited to join the team – we plan to focus more on our AI products and the amazing results they are achieving for our customers and their players.

“The company is making great waves within the industry – I couldn’t be happier to be part of this journey as we continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Casino revenues drive ‘exceptional’ Loto-Quebec Q3 results

Loto-Quebec has published its results for the end of the third quarter of FY 2022-23, revealing its total revenues grew 30.7% YoY.

The corporation achieved revenues of $2.22bn over the nine-month period between Apr. 1 and Dec. 26, an increase of $521.9m YoY, while a consolidated net income of $1.2bn represented a $295.8m (32.6%) increase over the same period last year.

These results were significantly aided by its casino and gaming hall revenues which stood at $829.3m for a $313.9m (60.9%) increase over the same period in 2021-2022, with a $69m (9.1%) increase over the same period in 2019-2020.

According to Loto-Quebec, this growth can be explained – in part – by gaming location closures in 2021, whereas operations have returned to normalcy since the current fiscal year began.

Online casino sales revenues were also on the rise, representing 24.3% of the sector’s total revenues, compared to 9.1% for the same period of the pre-pandemic fiscal year.

“Our teams’ sustained efforts led us to these exceptional results and to our best performance in 17 years. All indications are that we will be able to pay a higher dividend than expected to the government, and that benefits all Quebecers. I’m very proud of our work,” said President and CEO Jean-François Bergeron.

“Thank you to our teams for incessantly improving our on-site and online entertainment offer, providing our customers with a quality experience and magical moments. The excitement our renewed programming and offer created is palpable at our casinos and gaming halls.”

Lottery revenues were less noticeable, however, coming in at $742.2m for an increase of just $2.6m (0.4%) YoY.

Bergeron added: “Many acts of generosity highlighted this quarter, including our participation in the Government of Québec’s Entraide campaign.

“We also supported other causes with our Détaillants de cœur initiative and remained committed to the fight against food insecurity by organizing, among other things, activities benefiting the Moisson organizations.”

NorthStar Gaming to start trading on TSX-V after delisting CSE shares

Toronto-based NorthStar Gaming has officially finalized its previously announced reverse acquisition of Baden Resources, and will now commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V).

The deal was first communicated last June when the online gaming operator revealed it had entered into an agreement with the Canadian Stock Exchange-listed company, with NorthStar becoming a Technology Issuer on the exchange.

Completion of the business combination has seen the company change its name to ‘NorthStar Gaming Holdings’.

Furthermore, its common shares from the CSE have been delisted, paving the way for listing on TSX-V under the symbol ‘BET’ starting tomorrow, Mar. 8.

“The public listing of NorthStar represents a significant milestone and we’re pleased to now provide consumers with the opportunity to become shareholders,” said Michael Moskowitz, CEO and a Founding Partner of NorthStar.

“As an organization, we’re focused on executing our strategic vision to grow our igaming market share across the province of Ontario while also looking ahead to the future with the goal of reaching other markets.”

NorthStar has also confirmed the appointment of eight new Directors to its Board, weeks after securing $12.3m investment from Playtech.

Joining NorthStar as Directors are: Moskowitz; Vic Bertrand; Brian Cooper; Chris Hodgson; Dean Macdonald; Chris McGinnis; Sylvia Prentice; and Barry Shafran.