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FansUnite Entertainment granted sports gaming supplier license in Ohio

FansUnite Entertainment is expanding its services across North America after being awarded a sports gaming supplier license from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, permitting it to provide its services in Ohio.

With this license, FansUnite – a British Colombia-based firm listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange – will become a legal gaming supplier for micro-betting brand betr and other potential operators in the Buckeye State when it launches its sports betting market on January 1.

Reflecting on the license, FansUnite CEO Scott Burton highlighted how the entry into Ohio was part of the firm’s overall North American expansion plan, helping the company grow across the region.

“This license represents a major milestone for not only our US licensing strategy and B2B business but also our overall North American expansion plan,” commented Burton. 

“The state of Ohio is the latest jurisdiction to legalize sports betting and as a major sports hub, we expect it to generate significant gaming revenues for our B2B clients and our live activation team at Betting Hero. This license will enable us to gain an early-mover advantage in a new market.

“Furthermore, as we secure more client contracts for our B2B solutions and/or affiliate operations, we intend to gain access to new betting jurisdictions where our customers operate; additional state license applications are underway.”

Back in March, FansUnite was also granted a gaming-related supplier-manufacturer license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Earlier this month, the firm also announced the departure of Darius Eghdami from his roles as Director and President of the company.

Eghdami handed in his resignation to attend to personal matters unrelated to his tenure at the global sports and entertainment company.

FansUnite thanked Eghdami for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours. He will stay in touch with the company through an advisor role.

Great Canadian shakes up C-suite as Urquhart steps up to COO

Great Canadian Entertainment has confirmed two changes to its C-level management, including the promotion of EVP of Operations Ron Urquhart to group COO. 

As part of the strengthening of the company’s senior management, Gavin Whitely has joined as Chief Marketing Officer, joining Urquhart in the Toronto office.

“We are thrilled to name Ron as our new COO, who started his career with us as a summer student in college, and since then has held senior leadership roles across multiple business units over the past two decades, helping to lead our Ontario expansions and new builds including at Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Woodbine,” said Matthew Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian. 

“Ron has a deep understanding of our business, and will be an enormous asset in our next chapter of growth as we bring to market what will be among the premier casino resorts in North America in 2023.”

Urquhart has made the step up to COO following Anfinson’s recent appointment to CEO, from which he departed the COO position. 

He has been at Great Canadian since 2001, working his way through the senior ranks of the group’s Nova Scotia casino operations for 15 years. 

In 2016, he made the move to Ontario, becoming the General Manager of the Belleville site. From there he was promoted to VP Operations for Ontario, then to EVP Operations for the GTA.

“I feel privileged to take on this new role at such an exciting time for Great Canadian, and I look forward to working closely with Matthew to continuously enhance the gaming and entertainment experience for our guests, and making a positive impact for all our stakeholders,” Urquhart noted on his latest role.

Meanwhile, Whitely joins the company as CMO from Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas where he oversaw the Caesars Rewards program. 

Previously in his career, Whitely held marketing roles at Cirque du Soleil after earning a Master of Music degree from McGill University.

“I am thrilled to come home to Canada to lead the marketing and entertainment initiatives with the Great Canadian leadership team to deliver value to our team members, guests, and communities from coast to coast,” said Whiteley.

Loto-Quebec signals caution despite record-breaking revenues in H1

Loto-Quebec has released its financial results for the first half (H1) of the fiscal year 2022-23, posting record-breaking total revenues of $1.5bn and consolidated net income of $805.3m.

These represent increases of $382.9m (+35.4%) and $221.3m (37.9%), respectively, over the same period last year.

Casino and gaming hall revenues stood at $551.4m, a $244.5m (+79.7%) increase over the same period in 2021–2022 and a $39m (+7.6%) increase over the first half of the pre-pandemic fiscal year.

According to Loto-Quebec, this can be explained by the closure of gaming locations from April 1 to mid-June 2021, before progressively reopening, whereas there were no closures this year. 

However, its lottery sector suffered a drop in revenue.

Lottery revenues amounted to $468.3m in H1, a $29m (-5.8%) drop over the same period in 2021-22.

This follows September’s Q1 announcement, where it was divulged that lottery revenues had fallen by $19.2m (-7%).

According to Loto-Quebec, an overwhelming factor in the decline of its lottery revenues in both Q1 and H1 can be explained by a drop in sales of Lotto Max, which had an ‘exceptional’ run last year that included two record $40m jackpots.

Additionally, lower Lotto 6/49 sales have also been attributed as a reason for decreased lottery revenue in H1.

Meanwhile, online lottery sales revenues represented 12.7% of the sector’s total revenues compared to the 3.4% during the first half of the pre-pandemic fiscal year.

Jean-François Bergeron, President and CEO, commented: “Halfway through the fiscal year, we’re on track to not only meet but surpass our budget target. All our teams continued their remarkable work leading us to these record results of which I’m very proud.

“Despite our enthusiasm, we remain cautious given the unstable economic context. We’re counting on exciting projects – especially in terms of repositioning our brand – to keep us heading toward success.

“We’re proud to support around fifty festivals across the province, and we’re thrilled that so many Quebecers were able to enjoy them this summer. We encourage events whose corporate social responsibility stands out and help them improve in this regard.”

Greentube strikes Entain deal to become latest developer to enter Ontario

Greentube has penned a deal with British-headquartered global operator Entain to enter the Ontario igaming market.

After gaining a supplier licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario earlier this year, Greentube struck a deal with Entain to take its titles live on three of the operator’s brands in the province. 

Titles such as Diamond Link series, Mighty Emperor, Mighty Elephant and Mighty Sevens will be available to players in Ontario who use the Entain brands BetMGM, Party Casino and Bwin.

David Bolas, Greentube’s Commercial Director, said: “This launch in Ontario with BetMGM, PartyCasino and Bwin is the latest vital milestone for Greentube. As a market debut, it represents the next significant step in delivering our North American strategy and underlines the importance of our key relationship with Entain Gaming Group.”

This marks a key milestone in Greentube’s North American expansion ambitions, with Ontario earmarked as a crucial jurisdiction for the company’s success. 

It also expands the already existing relationship with Entain in the US. Greentube has gone live with its content on the Entain-MGM JV BetMGM in both New Jersey and Michigan.

AGLC gives UFC betting green light following integrity investigation

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has confirmed it will once again allow betting on UFC fights on its PlayAlberta platform following an investigation into the integrity of the sport. 

As reported by ESPN, the provincial lottery corporation is reinstating betting on UFC after the recent revelation that James Krause, the coach at the center of the integrity scandal at the fighting organization, was banned from taking part in events. 

“With the recent announcement by the UFC that Krause, his managers and fighters will not be permitted to participate in UFC events, pending Nevada State Athletic Commission’s investigation, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has reinstated UFC betting markets on PlayAlberta.ca,” an AGLC spokesperson told ESPN. 

“Protecting consumers in Alberta is of the utmost importance to AGLC. We will remain vigilant in monitoring the situation and ensure players continue to have safe and secure gaming opportunities on Play Alberta.”

It comes after several Canadian provincial organizations banned betting on UFC following suspicious betting activity on the fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbiek.

Concerns were raised last month over the bout between Minner and Nuerdanbiek, with the UFC confirming that Don Best Sports, its integrity partner, was looking into the matter. 

Suspicious betting patterns on the fight were identified, leading many sportsbooks to raise concerns with US Integrity. 

Subsequently, several lines of inquiry were opened into the fight, which Nuerdanbiek won in a one-minute TKO stoppage. 

Reportedly, betting insiders caught wind of a knee injury sustained by Minner in the hours leading up to the fight, which caused significant wagering activity in Nuerdanbiek’s favor.

Responding to the controversy at the UFC’s post-fight press conference over the weekend, President Dana White asserted that he had no worries over the betting integrity controversy. 

He told reporters:  “I’m not worried about it at all. People ask me ‘What is the UFC going to do?’ We’re letting these guys know not to bet on fights.

“Do you know what the outcome of this is? If I penalize them, they get cut. But they’re going to go to federal f***ing prison. Federal f***ing prison.

Fitzdares to monitor Ontario betting via US Integrity

Fitzdares has agreed to a comprehensive partnership with US Integrity as part of its preparations to launch its sportsbook in the Ontario sports betting market.

Under the terms of the deal, integrity monitoring services will be provided by US Integrity to Fitzdares via its proprietary dashboard. 

The sports betting monitoring firm will analyze dozens of data sets for the sportsbook to “proactively identify irregular contest-level, officiating and wagering patterns”.

Having already gained a presence in the UK and Europe, Fitzdares plans to go live with its sportsbook offering in the Ontario province early next year, subject to the execution of an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario and achieving final regulatory approvals.

“The safety and integrity of the sports betting experience at Fitzdares is of utmost importance, and we are thrilled to be working with US Integrity as we prepare to launch the Fitzdares experience in the regulated market of Ontario early next year,” commented Tristan Wootton, Director of Growth at Fitzdares. 

“US Integrity’s proactive approach to maintaining integrity will play a pivotal role in detecting potentially suspicious wagering activity.”

Fitzdares attributes its success in Europe to being founded on “the basis of old-fashioned traditions of customer service and bookmaking”.

The sportsbook’s partnership with US Integrity in Ontario comes after the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) ordered all operators in the province earlier this month to stop offering and accepting bets on UFC events due to integrity concerns.

“US Integrity is proud to partner with Fitzdares and assist as they grow their brand across the Canadian regulated sports wagering market,” added Matthew Holt, US Integrity’s CEO and Co-Founder. 

“US Integrity’s mission is to provide conflict-free, best-in-class insights and compliance solutions to our clients. We are looking forward to working with the exceptional team at Fitzdares.

“All our partners are committed to the highest integrity standards, and they are no exception. These types of partnerships help ensure sports betting integrity and strengthen the unique and proprietary anomaly detection tools we have developed at US Integrity.”

Dana White shrugs off UFC betting concerns despite AGCO ruling

Dana White has insisted that he has ‘zero’ concerns about the integrity of UFC, despite an investigation into allegations of suspicious betting patterns that led the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to ban betting on the sport in Ontario.

Following the bout between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbiek, concerns over betting patterns were raised, with Minner picking up a knee injury in the hours before the fight reportedly leaking in betting circles. 

In light of this, the AGCO ordered all operators in the province to stop accepting and offering bets on the UFC in the wake of the investigation. 

Citing standards that prohibit betting on sports that have sufficient integrity safeguards to minimize the risk of match-fixing or cheating, AGCO told operators that they must cease their Ontario UFC offerings with immediate effect.

However, speaking at a press conference after the weekend’s UFC 282, White told a reporter: “I’m not worried about it at all. People ask me ‘What is the UFC going to do?’ We’re letting these guys know not to bet on fights.”

“Do you know what the outcome of this is? If I penalize them, they get cut. But they’re going to go to federal f***ing prison. Federal f***ing prison. 

“If you’re that stupid, and somebody else wants to do it, knock yourself out. There’s not enough money in it, to ruin your life, and not go to jail. Go to federal prison.”

Concerns were raised last month over the bout between Minner and Nuerdanbiek, with the UFC confirming that Don Best Sports, its integrity partner, was looking into the matter. 

Suspicious betting patterns on the fight were identified, leading many sportsbooks to raise concerns with US Integrity. 

Subsequently, several lines of inquiry were opened into the fight, which Nuerdanbiek won in a one-minute TKO stoppage. 

It is reported that betting insiders caught wind of a knee injury sustained by Minner in the hours leading up to the fight, which caused significant wagering activity in Nuerdanbiek’s favor.

Asked for an update on the progress of the investigation, White noted: “How would I know? Do you think the people investigating call me and keep me in the loop on this? 

“Why would they tell me? There’s an investigation going on into a fight that’s been (allegedly) fixed. I know as much as you know.”

The controversy and integrity investigations came just weeks after the UFC placed a ban on its fighters from betting on any fight in the competition, not just those they partake in. 

Updating its Athlete Conduct Policy, the body noted that fighters are prohibited from betting on any UFC fight, regardless if they are involved or not, as the organization sought to bolster its betting integrity mechanisms. 

Canadian Gaming Association appoints six new board members

The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) added six new members to its board of directors during its most recent annual meeting.

On Dec 7, the CGA selected the following as new board members: Bruce Caughill, Managing Director (Canada) for Rush Street Interactive (RSI); Mark Harper, GM at NS Sports Media; Charmaine Hogan, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Playtech; Dale Hooper, GM of FanDuel Canada; Niaz Nejad, SVP & Head of Marketing for US and Canada at Aristocrat Gaming; and Scott Vanderwel, CEO of PointsBet Canada.

Ilkim Hincer, Chair of the board and EVP & Chief Legal Officer at Hard Rock International, stated: “Given this unprecedented time of growth in the Canadian gaming industry, the CGA board of directors has been amplified by five new members.

“Increased representation is important to ensure that the work of the board reflects the diverse needs of Canadian gaming. I look forward to continued collaboration with the board as we work together to shape a progressive environment that enables this industry to succeed.”

Currently RSI’s Managing Director (Canada), Caughill has nearly 25 years of executive experience in the Canadian gaming industry. He has also worked for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario as its Chief Legal Officer and for Niagara Casinos as its VP of Legal and Chief Compliance Officer.

Boasting over 25 years of experience in the digital media space, Harper has worked for NS Sports for five years, supplying sports betting communities with insights via Covers’ website brands across North American markets, reaching over 25 million readers. He also has experience in digital sales, ad operations, and digital marketing.

Before joining Playtech, Hogan served the Malta Government and the European Commission, working on EU legislation and policy development in Brussels. She now focuses on emerging and regulating markets, engaging with policy-makers and stakeholders as well as providing regulatory development advice.

With over 20 years of experience, Hooper has led FanDuel’s expansion in Canada and is responsible for the operator’s strategy, operations, marketing, and commercial relationships in the country. He has previously served in leadership and C-Suite roles with Rogers Communications, PepsiCo Canada, and Cannabis Compliance Inc, and has been on the board of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, St Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, and Canadian Sports Institute Ontario. 

As SVP and Head of Marketing for the US and Canada, Nejad is in charge of Aristocrat Gaming’s overall brand and marketing strategy, execution, and business performance, responsible for infusing innovation and creativity. With over 25 years of leadership experience across multiple verticals, she has held the role of COO for the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission, setting its provincial gaming and cannabis strategic direction, corporate portfolio, digital transformation, and revenue forecasts.

Since August 2021, Vanderwel has been CEO of PointsBet Canada, but he has also previously served as SVP for Rogers Communications and led the Canadian practice for global business strategy consultancy Monitor Group, which was later acquired by Deloitte. He is also the former Chair of the Ivey alumni network board and a current member of the Ivey advisory network board.

Paul Burns, President and CEO of the CGA, added: “We welcome Charmaine, Bruce, Niaz, Mark, Dale, and Scott to the CGA board and believe their experience will help the Association launch its new strategic plan to guide our growth and development over the next several years.

“Their subject matter expertise and professional skill set make them ideally suited to lead the CGA at this exceptional time, as we are evolving our way of working to meet the needs and be of service to our members while driving our mission forward.”

The CGA also announced that David Flinn, Bob Parente, and George Sweny would be leaving the board due to their terms expiring, with Parente and Sweny continuing to serve the board in a different capacity moving forward.

2022/2023 CGA Board of Directors:

  • Scott Burton, CEO, FansUnite Entertainment Inc.
  • Danielle Bush, Counsel, McCarthy Tetrault, LLP
  • Bruce Caughill, Managing Director (Canada) Rush Street Interactive
  • Dean Ehrlich, Executive Vice President & Games Business Leader, Everi
  • Neil Erlick, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Nuvei
  • Jeffrey Haas, Chief Revenue Officer, AtomicHub io
  • Mark Harper, General Manager, NS Sports Media
  • Ilkim Hincer, EVP & Chief Legal Officer, Hard Rock International
  • Charmaine Hogan, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Playtech
  • Dale Hooper, General Manager, FanDuel Canada
  • Chuck Keeling, EVP, Stakeholder Relations & Responsible Gaming, Great Canadian Entertainment
  • Carrie Kormos, Chief Marketing & Communication Officer, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment
  • Adriane McGrath, Vice President, Business Development, Konami Gaming Inc.
  • Niaz Nejad, SVP and Head of Marketing, US and Canada, Aristocrat Gaming
  • Rob Scarpelli, Managing Director, HLT Advisory Inc.
  • Richard Taylor, President, Niagara Casinos
  • Scott Vanderwell, CEO, PointsBet Canada
  • Shelley White, President & CEO, Responsible Gambling Council

OLG reminds players to Gift Responsibly this holiday season

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has reminded players across the province that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children ahead of the upcoming holiday season. 

Taking part in the 2022 Gift Responsibly campaign, organised by the National Council on Problem Gambling alongside the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, OLG has told parents and other adults that lottery tickets, including instant tickets should not be bought as gifts for minors. 

OLG told players that there are heightened risks associated with underage gambling which could lead to problem gambling habits later in life. 

The crown agency stated: “Lottery products may be great gift ideas for special occasions, but they are not for children and youth. It’s important that parents and adults understand the proven risks and impacts associated with underage gambling. 

“If you decide to buy lottery gifts for friends and family, please ensure the recipients are at least 18 years of age and older.”

OLG is a level 1 participant in the 2022 Gift Responsible campaign, which aims to reduce younger people from exposure to gambling through lottery tickets bought as holiday gifts.

The campaign sees participating organizations deliver education campaigns to communities on the dangers associated with buying lottery tickets for children and the risks of youth gambling. 

“Youth problem gambling has emerged as a significant and growing public health issue,” said Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director. “We are thrilled to have such support from the lottery community, as well as the non-lottery participants, for the 2022 Gift Responsibly Campaign as we work to minimize gambling-related harm.” 

AGCO grants three new igaming licenses for Ontario market

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has granted licenses to three new operators to launch their igaming offerings in the province’s market.

Ligtip Limited, Ellipse Entertainment Limited, and Delta iGaming Inc were all issued licenses to launch in Ontario this past week.

As a result of the new licenses, Ligtip will bring its Tonybet brand to the province, Ellipse will launch its High Flyer Casino brand in Ontario, and Delta will go live with its Delta Bingo and Gaming brand in the province.

The three new licenses handed out by the commission in the first week of December follow the three licenses awarded during November to Videoslots, NetBet, and Coolbear (Coolbet).

Earlier this month, the AGCO declared that Ontario operators would be banned from accepting wagers on UFC events due to betting integrity concerns.

In October, iGaming Ontario published its FY Q2 (Q3) operations market performance report for the Ontario igaming market, declaring total wagers of $6.04bn, an increase on Q1’s $4.07bn.