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AGCO updates Registrar’s Standards for iGaming

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has brought an end to its transition period for unregulated operators and suppliers, as well as amended its standards for live dealer games, through an update of its Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming

Following consultations industry-wide, the commission’s update states that these changes will back the province’s objective of “creating a safer, competitive and well-regulated igaming market for the people of Ontario”.

AGCO ends transition period for unregulated operators

The AGCO’s Standard 1.22 brings a halt to the transition period for the unregulated igaming operators and suppliers, meaning they must cease unregulated market operations “to avoid jeopardizing their eligibility for registration”.

Before the Ontario iGaming market went live earlier this year on April 4, the commission opened a process to allow operators and suppliers in the unregulated market to move into the regulated market ahead of its launch, offering a safe place for existing customers in the province to play.

Operators must secure a registration by the AGCO and execute an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO) before operating legally in the market. The commission has stated it has provided sufficient time for operators and suppliers “to join the regulated market in a business-like and seamless fashion”.

The AGCO added that operators and suppliers have until Oct. 31, 2022, to comply with Standard 1.22. Appropriate action will be taken against those that don’t meet the standard once it comes into force, including “risk having their application for registration refused”.

The new Standard 1.22 reads:

1.22 Operators and gaming-related suppliers must cease all unregulated activities if, to carry out those same activities in iGaming Ontario’s regulated online lottery scheme, it would require registration under the GCA.

Operators and gaming-related suppliers shall not enter into any agreements or arrangements with any unregistered person who is providing the operator or gaming-related supplier with any goods or services if, to provide those goods and services in iGaming Ontario’s regulated online lottery scheme, it would require registration under the GCA.

Amended standards for live dealer games

The AGCO is also amending its standards for operators and suppliers who offer live dealer games in response to their growing popularity in the province.

The commission added that the amendments are “necessary to address the potential risks related to the use of physical gaming equipment (including among others, roulette wheels and playing cards) and the risks related to the use of live presenters”.

The following amended standards will come into effect on Oct. 31, 2022:

4.09 Gaming systems and gaming supplies shall be provided, installed, configured, maintained, repaired, stored, and operated in a way that ensures the integrity, safety and security of the gaming supplies and systems. (Also applicable to Gaming-Related Suppliers).

4.35 Access to live dealer gaming supplies shall be restricted to individuals with a business need. (Also applicable to Gaming-Related Suppliers).

Requirements – At a minimum: 

  • Access privileges are granted, modified, and revoked based on employment status and job requirements and all activities associated with these actions logged. 
  • Access privileges are independently reviewed and confirmed on a periodic basis. 

4.36 Operators must have controls in place to ensure live dealer game presenters do not compromise the integrity of a game.

Amended Standard 4.08 will come into effect on April 4, 2023, giving operators and suppliers enough time to get their equipment certified:

4.08 All igaming games, random number generators and components of igaming systems that accept, process, determine outcome of, display, and log details about player bets, including any subsequent modifications, must either be approved by the Registrar or certified by an independent testing laboratory registered by the Registrar, as per the AGCO’s ITL Certification Policy, prior to being provided for any gaming site.

Further certification requirement guidance for live dealer games will be provided by the AGCO in the coming weeks via an updated ITL Certification Policy.

GeoComply Files Suit Against Geolocation Competitor Xpoint

One of Canada’s biggest gambling companies is headed to a US court. Geolocation provider GeoComply filed suit against competing geolocation provider, Xpoint, in a Delaware district court, as first reported by SBC Americas.

The lawsuit claims that Xpoint is violating GeoComply’s patented technology, which helps to accurately geolocate online sports betting and casino customers.

GeoComply is the geolocation provider for the overwhelming majority of operators in the US and Canada, however, Xpoint is starting to make a dent in its market share. Its US partnerships that are now live include PlayStar, Mojo, and Sporttrade. The company also works with SkillOnNet in Canada.

In the motion for its suit, GeoComply summed up the situation:

“XPoint’s acts of infringement have caused, and will continue to cause, irreparable harm to GeoComply. GeoComply and XPoint are direct competitors in the market for geolocation and location verification services. As such, XPoint should be enjoined from further infringement of the ’805 Patent. GeoComply has spent valuable resources developing and refining—and patenting—its proprietary platform for reliably and accurately determining the true location of an end-user. Should XPoint continue to commercialize its geolocation technology, GeoComply will be forced to compete against its own patented invention.”

Xpoint issued a statement dismissing the charges as “meritless”. GeoComply also commented on the suit, noting it was not about discouraging competition but about “protecting GeoComply’s proprietary technology.”

GeoComply also filed an expedited motion for discovery, asking for Xpoint to immediately provide its source code. The court denied that motion, but that does not disqualify the issue from being revisited in future discovery discussions.

Xpoint has until Oct. 20 to file its response to the suit.

 

RGC teams up with thinktv for new Responsible Gambling PSA

Even with stringent market limitations on inducements, Ontario remains a hotbed for sports betting and online casino marketing. With the drastic uptick in commercials for the products, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) hopes to inject a responsible gambling message into a landscape filled with big, glamorous promises.

RGC worked with thinktv to create the following PSA, which riffs on the look and feel of operator commercials, but sends a very different message:

“With the rise of online gambling and sports betting advertising in Ontario – and across Canada
– we recognized there was a need to help the public understand the sensationalized ads we’re
seeing on TV don’t necessarily reflect reality, said Shelley White, CEO, RGC. “It is important for
everyone to learn and understand the risks involved when gambling in the online space and
how to minimize those risks when playing online. This campaign is more important than ever as
new operators continue to enter the market. We are proud to be collaborating with thinktv and
Canada’s broadcasters to deliver critical responsible gambling messages to the public so that
people can make informed decisions if they gamble.”

The choice of echoing what current gambling ads look like was a deliberate one. Here is the explanation from the release:

“This approach was taken to grab the attention of new and recreational gamblers who may not be aware of the risks involved with online gambling.”

The ad, which will launch in the next few weeks, drives users to access the website KnowTheRisks.ca, which provides information about responsible gambling tools and strategies. The plan is to originally air the ad only in Ontario, but there is potential for it to expand to other provinces in the future.

“We are delighted to work with RGC to support ongoing player protection initiatives with our
member broadcast networks. There is an opportunity for us all to work together to ensure
Ontarians receive a balanced message when it comes to online gambling and sports betting,
said Alan Dark, Chairman, thinktv. “The broadcast community plays an important role in
shaping the gambling advertising landscape, and we are proud to be leading the charge in a
responsible way to meet the needs of the industry and the public.”

Atlantic Lottery Corp links with IWG for omnichannel game production

Atlantic Lottery Corporation has partnered with Instant Win Gaming for the production of a series of omnichannel lottery games.

Following the agreement, selected IWG instant games will be recreated in the form of retail instant ticket games and pull-tabs for ALC’s players.

Robert Lalonde, ALC Director of igaming, said: “Atlantic Lottery is excited to develop new omnichannel games with IWG. ALC players do not see retail lottery and ilottery as different products, but rather as different sales channels. 

“Thank you IWG for helping with our continued efforts to integrate our online and retail channels.”

Super Cash Buster, an IWG title, has been opened to a broader audience throughout the Atlantic provinces for ‘several years’, after ALC’s retail partner Scientific Games developed a print version of the game, and has provided the stimulus for the agreement. 

From this month, further IWG titles have been deployed in print form, including Propector’s Gold, which has launched as a pull-tab game.

Rhydian Fisher, IWG CEO, added: “Thank you ALC for this latest opportunity. Over the past 20 years, it has been common for our lottery partners to ask us to create einstants that match already popular printed games. 

“Now it’s equally common for our lottery partners to ask their printed game suppliers to develop games that incorporate proven IWG brands. We are thrilled to see our themes and mechanics convert into very successful retail games.”

WSOP.ca powered by GGPoker now live in Ontario

The partnership between GGPoker and World Series of Poker (WSOP) took another big step forward with the launch of a WSOP-branded poker room powered by GGPoker is now fully live and regulated in Ontario.

“Growing up in Toronto, I dreamed of playing in the World Series of Poker,” said six-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu, GGPoker Global Ambassador. “Now, twenty-five years after I moved to Las Vegas to chase WSOP bracelets, you can compete online in WSOP events in Ontario, all running on GGPoker’s amazing platform – how cool is that?”

WSOP.ca celebrating launch with WSOP Circuit series

The US WSOP.com poker rooms run on the 888 poker platform, so this is the first foray in North America where a GG platform is bearing the WSOP name. WSOP.ca will host an online WSOP Circuit series in Ontario to celebrate. The event begins on Oct. 1 and culminates in a two-day $525 buy-in Main Event on Oct. 15-16. Throughout the two weeks of action, there will be hundreds of tournaments with $2.5 million in guarantees.

“Canadian poker players have always been a significant portion of the WSOP playing base,” WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart added. “We [are] thrilled to bring the chance for WSOP glory to you. With online bracelets and exclusive qualifiers to the WSOP in Las Vegas, we expect a wave of new WSOP champions from the 6ix.”

GGPoker players in Ontario now must play on ring-fenced site

Existing GGPoker customers in Ontario will need to carry their accounts over to WSOP.ca. Going forward, this also means players in Ontario will only be able to play on the ring-fenced Ontario site. Players living in the rest of Canada will still be able to play on GGPoker’s ROW platform.

Prior to this launch, GGPoker and WSOP have worked on a number of ROW online poker series hosted on the GGPoker global platform, which does not accept US customers. The most recent WSOP Main Event online on GGPoker drew 4,983 entries and generated a prize pool of almost $23.7 million.

Kambi to power Fallsview and Casino Niagra retail sportsbooks

Just a couple of weeks after the PlayFallsview online sportsbook and casino went live, Kambi and Mohegan are expanding the scope of their partnership in Ontario.

In addition to powering the online sportsbook, Kambi will also provide the platform for the retail sportsbooks at both Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.

“Following our online sports betting partnership with Mohegan, we are thrilled to bring the same high-quality sports betting experiences to Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara in Ontario,” Kambi Co-Founder and CEO Kristian Nylén said in a release. “This exciting partnership enables Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara to leverage their long-standing brands to provide their guests with a place to enjoy a leading sports betting product.”

Casino Niagara will convert its existing sports bar into a functioning retail sportsbook. Additionally, the two properties will install a combined 36 Kambi kiosks.

“We are very excited to partner with Kambi as we prepare to launch sports betting at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara,” added Niagara Casinos President Richard Taylor. “With the changing landscape in gaming, we are working collaboratively with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Province to develop sports betting in Ontario. Our partnership with Kambi will continue to elevate our offerings at Niagara Casinos.”

The PlayFallsview brand is currently the only online gambling brand with ties to a land-based casino in Ontario. The launch also represented the first time Mohegan launched a digital product outside of the US.

Back in July, Mohegan officially rebranded from Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment to simply Mohegan to reflect its mission, which has grown beyond land-based gaming to include the digital realm as well.

BCLC celebrates opening of Cascades Casino with Gateway Casinos

BCLC has detailed it is ‘thrilled’ after the Cascades Casino in Delta opened its doors to customers for the first time.

The casino, opened in partnership with Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, has created 600 new jobs in Delta and BCLC claims it will provide ‘both great entertainment and economic benefits’ to the city. 

“Offering an innovative gaming experience and access to industry-leading player health resources, Cascades Casino Delta will provide excellent entertainment for our players to enjoy safely,” said Greg Moore, Board Chair at BCLC. 

“At the same time, the casino will provide significant economic benefits to the community in the form of jobs and support for local initiatives and provincial programs through the revenue it generates. We look forward to the ways B.C.’s newest casino will shape the future for the City of Delta and beyond.” 

The casino features 500 slot machines, 18 live table games and four electronic table games, and is inspired by popular entertainment and themed areas. 

Moreover, it comes with BCLC’s GameSense Advisor, which is available to support players by encouraging healthy play. 

“This is a wonderful day for Delta and Gateway. I am proud to say, despite the challenges of the pandemic over the last two and a half years, we finally reached our destination,” said Rob Ward, Chief Operating Officer at Gateway. 

“This new property is testimony to the resiliency and determination of a great many people who kept their focus and worked hard together to create a state-of-the-art entertainment destination for the City of Delta.”

Loto-Québec puts power in players’ hands with latest charitable game

Residents of Québec have been offered the opportunity to make a difference in the community following the launch of Loto-Québec’s latest lottery game.

On Monday, Loto-Québec released the second edition of Loto-o-suivant, its lottery game which is on a mission to aid charities.

The first edition launched in 2021 and Loto-Québec has now released an updated version of the game.

The $2 scratch tickets went on sale on September 26 and are available online and at retail locations in the province.

There is a $10,000 grand prize on offer to 50 players, with the winners draw set to take place on November 15.

As well as taking home $10,000, players will also be asked to choose a charitable organisation to which Loto-Québec will match the amount.

“When we launched the first edition last year, it was touching to see how moved the winners were to be able to make a $10,000 donation to a cause they care about, and how appreciative the charities they chose were to receive these donations,” said Isabelle Jean, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Lottery Games.

“So we’re thrilled to be launching the Loto-o-suivant lottery game again this fall.”

In total, $500,000 in donations will be made to charities chosen by Québec residents.

Loto-Québec has stated that the organisation does not make money from the game.

Video: Paul Burns on the future of Canadian gaming

When one thinks of Canadian gambling, it is tough not to immediately think of Paul Burns. Head of the Canadian Gaming Association and a new member of the Sports Betting Hall of Fame, Burns has been pushing for years to expand gambling in Canada.

You can thank Burns and others for what is happening in Ontario, but this is just the first step in a decades-long process. He recently spoke with Mollie Chapman about how Ontario is going, what province might regulate next, and why now is the time for Canada to take its place on the international gambling industry stage.

Ontario gaming could have changes coming

We are coming up on six months since the launch of the regulated market in Ontario. The preliminary numbers were not stellar, but it is nonetheless a solid start. Burns also pointed out that this is a market where everyone should expect growth and change.

“As the market matures, things may have to change. And I think that’s something that both the AGCO and iGO recognize, so they’ve created a model, obviously that’s not cast in stone, but it’s actually set to make sure it works for everybody, including them. When they want to, they may want changes to come forward. But at this point, everything seems to be working well for everybody. And so we’ve had a good start.”

Those changes could come sooner rather than later given that everyone in the country, as Burns noted, is keeping an eye on Ontario before considering more widespread expansion. Meanwhile, though, one province is moving forward with a different approach to online gambling.

Alberta could be the next province to regulate

The province of Alberta recently put out an RFP to select a sportsbook operator for the province. It’s not a model like Ontario’s, it’s not based on a regulatory regime, but more of a service contract model. I think a lot of jurisdictions are going to look to see how the Ontario market performs,” Burns told Chapman.

This growth and acceptance of online gambling is a long time coming for Burns, who first started asking the provinces and the country to regulate gambling expansion in 2006.

Now he is excited to have conversations with more regulators about how to proceed, regardless of what approach they want to take.

“Work with the industry and create a model that works for everybody, and especially works in protecting consumers and players in Canada,” Burns advised. “We know there’s interest, we know Canadians are spending money on offshore sites, so we’re just asking them to say please take a look at how you can bring it into a regulatory regime, protect players, and give Canadian companies and Canadian gaming operators a chance to compete fairly.”

New CGB partnership with SBC takes CGS global

One other way Burns hopes to bring more companies and operators into the fold is through the sale of the Canadian Gaming Summit (and Canadian Gaming Business) to SBC. The conference has long been a must-attend for Canadians, but with a new conference producer with a global reputation, it is time for the next step.

“For a lot of reasons, the timing was right. The gaming industry in Canada has gone through a pretty significant shift in the last few years with an increasing number of private operators on the casino side but also now with Ontario’s regulated gaming market inviting 1000s of companies more than hundreds of suppliers into the marketplace. It really is a new dynamic. So it was a great time for us to engage with the new partner and look forward to a really positive relationship going forward.”

Now that Canada is in the spotlight on a global gambling stage, it is a great time to think about moving forward, and Burns continues to help lead the charge.

Check out the entire interview here.

 

 

 

Kings Entertainment heading for rebrand after CSE Bet99 acquisition approval

Kings Entertainment has revealed it could rebrand to ‘Interactive Entertainment Group’ after formally completing its acquisition of Sports Venture Holdings. 

It comes as Kings received conditional approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange for its proposed business combination with the Bet99 parent company, first touted in May. 

In its next steps, the firm will seek shareholder approval to formally complete the transaction in a meeting set to take place on October 25. 

Preparing for the shareholder meeting, Kings has drafted and mailed a management information circular, together with a listing statement prepared in accordance with the CSE policies with more detail on the transaction.

“We remain excited to proceed with the previously announced business combination with Bet99 to create Interactive Entertainment Group,” said Steve Budin, CEO of Kings Entertainment. 

“Our goal has always been to grow our business organically and through the acquisition of complementary businesses. We believe the acquisition of SVH is fully aligned with our business objectives and serves to further bolster our position as a market leader and innovator.

“Receipt of the CSE conditional approval is an important step forward in the completion of the business combination. We now look forward to holding our shareholder meeting on October 25, 2022 so that we hear from our shareholders and share our excitement about our future with Bet99. We hope to close this transformational transaction shortly following our shareholder meeting.”