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Gateway Asks Sudbury to Delay Kingsway Entertainment District Development

Work on Sudbury’s Kingsway Entertainment District development has been paused prior to the site grading stage at the request of Gateway Casinos and Entertainment.

Site grading at the long-planned project, which was approved by Sudbury City Council in September 2021, was scheduled to start on November 29 but CBC News reports the city received an email from Gateway asking to put the work on hold in light of “significant risks”.

Gateway is a major partner on the planned arena and event centre complex, which is slated to include a new casino. The company told the city it “remains supportive” of the project but said it could not invest significant money in the next phase of the project until some issues are resolved.

“Despite all of our efforts, the KED project continues to be challenged by significant risks,” said Jagtar Nijjar, executive vice president of development and construction at Gateway, per CBC. Those risks are suggested to include a legal challenge from Minnow Lake Restoration Group and an Ontario Provincial Police investigation.

“Given this uncertainty around the project, it is not commercially reasonable for Gateway to continue to provide additional significant funding to the next phase of the project until these ongoing challenges are resolved and the entire scope of the project is confirmed to be moving ahead,” added the email from Gateway.

The city said it is working closely with the developer and Gateway to ensure work can begin as soon as possible. Mayor Brian Bigger said the city remains committed to the project, as do the partners, noting that Gateway has already spent about $3.9 million on the project.

City councillor Robert Kirwan said Gateway’s decision is likely a “wise move” and didn’t consider it to be an indication that the project might be in danger of being nixed, per CBC.

Intema Solutions Applies to AGCO for Ontario Online Betting License

Canadian information technology company Intema Solutions has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to become a fully registered operator of online gaming and sports betting in Ontario.

Following the enacting of Bill C-218 to legalize single-event spoorts betting on August 27, 2021, the AGCO and iGaming Ontario are accepting applications for gaming licenses from third-party operators.

Intema has chosen to lodge an application with a view to providing its customers with access to a “growing array of eSports and iGaming products and services.”

“Apart from being Canada’s most populous province, Ontario has taken a leading role in regulating online gaming practices, which bodes very well for newly licensed companies in this large potential market,” said Laurent Benezra, President and CEO of Intema. “In addition to the AGCO application, our Isle of Man gaming license application has been formally accepted for review in October, and we plan to apply for other licenses in select regulated markets around the world so that our secure esports and gaming platforms become available to all.”

In order to secure its position in the esports betting market, Intema Solutions has previously signed a letter of intent to acquire Livestream Gaming Ltd, the owner of esports betting platform LOOT.BET. The transaction will see Intema acquire all issued and outstanding Livestream securities for $14.75 million.

Salon de jeux de Québec Opens at Méga Centre Beauport

The Salon de jeux de Québec has finally welcomed customers to its new facilities at the Méga Centre Beauport after two weeks of closure and a $12 million relocation.

As of November 29, customers are now able to check out the new environment and find their favourite games.

“Our new location at the Méga Centre Beauport provides a friendly and safe environment. We’re delighted to open our doors to our customers and offer an entertainment destination of choice in the area,” said Pierre Maltais, General Manager of the Salon de jeux, in a Loto-Québec release.

The Salon de jeux is open every day from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. and features 335 electronic gaming terminals and a Bien joué! area on site to promote responsible gaming.

“The space is spacious, thanks in part to the high ceilings,” Renaud Dugas, a spokesperson for Loto-Québec, told le Journal de Québec. “It’s warm and welcoming. It’s a safe game room. Customers will certainly appreciate it and make it a premier entertainment venue in the Capitale-Nationale region.”

The vast majority of the products and services used for the design and construction of the new facilities, including flooring, ventilation systems, decoration, electricity, and woodwork, come from Québec businesses, including several in the Québec City region.

In order to limit costs and avoid waste, Loto-Québec also reused several elements, including furniture and computer and surveillance equipment.

Loto-Québec signed a five-year lease with renewal options for the new premises located at the Méga Center Beauport, on rue Clémenceau.

IGT Sports Betting President Suggests B2B Market Segment Could Be Worth $5B

IGT’s newly appointed President of Sports Betting Joe Asher has suggested that the B2B sports betting market segment could be worth as much as $5bn annually.

Speaking at the recent IGT Investor Day, Asher said that the potential of B2B sports betting has been overlooked in the discussions about how much the general sports betting market could grow in the years to come.

Asher said, per SBC Americas: “We think the B2B market will grow from about US$1.5bn to close to US$5bn by 2025. Of course, that’s dependent on when specific states, including California, legalize sports betting, but this clearly is a segment that will grow nicely.

He added that while more and more gambling is being done online and through other digital channels, IGT believes retail sales still have a significant part to play.

“We think about 30 per cent or so of the B2B opportunity will be in retail,” Asher continued. “Retail will continue to be important, even for digital operators, as retail provides brand awareness and experience.” He added that retail also benefits from structurally higher margins, largely because most retail betting is done pre-match rather than in-play and there is a higher percentage of parlays in retail.

Asher was appointed as IGT’s President of Sports Betting effective October 1, 2021. In that role, he is charged with leading the ongoing expansion of the IGT PlaySports sports betting business in North American markets. He is being inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at the MetLife Stadium on December 1, 2021, during the SBC Summit North America conference and trade show.

Ontario Predicted to Break Records & Become Most Attractive North American iGaming Market

Once Ontario’s regulated open iGaming market is up and running, it will quickly become the most attractive iGaming market in North America for players and brands, predicts online gaming assessment company BonusFinder.

The Ontario iGaming market will surpass all of its U.S. online counterparts when it goes live in Q1 2022, according to Bonusfinder.com’s latest Bonus Index results, and become North America’s most important online casino and sports betting market.

The Bonus Index predicts that will be down to a combination of factors, including Ontario’s population of 15 million, a strong volume of sportsbook and casino players, and an estimated 70+ brands predicted to be looking to secure a licence.

The index, which measures a wide variety of factors across all current and future regulated sports betting states and provinces across the U.S. and Canada to calculate an overall Free Bet index score, predicts that brands in Ontario’s market will offer North America’s most appealing casino bonus of an average of US$866 and an estimated average sportsbook bonus of US$395.

Ontario has a Bonus Index score of 23,377, nearly twice as high as New Jersey, its nearest U.S. state rival and second in the Bonusfinder.com list.

New Jersey has recently revealed a record monthly turnover of US$1.3 billion in bets taken in October, but the index notes Ontario is expected to beat this in its first month.

Fintan Costello, Managing Director, BonusFinder.com, said: “Our Bonus Index accurately plots and tracks how successful every North American state and province is month-on-month across sports betting and casino and Ontario will blow everyone out of the water as soon as it’s given the greenlight in early 2022.

“New Jersey, although second on our list and punching above its weight, will look like it’s spitting out loose change from a slot machine compared to what we’re about to see from Canada’s largest province. It may have six million fewer people than states such as New York but its large number of licences across both sportsbook and casino will see it become North America’s largest gaming and betting market.”

FansUnite to Acquire Gaming Asset Portfolio American Affiliate

Vancouver-based sports betting and iGaming provider FansUnite Entertainment is acquiring the businesses and brands of American Affiliate, established by industry entrepreneur Chris Grove.

FansUnite will pay $58.2m to acquire the business, which it said in a release would help strengthen its position in the U.S. online betting market and serve as the cornerstone of a wider U.S. affiliate strategy. The release noted American Affiliates’ Betting Hero brand is the number-one live activation company in the U.S. sports betting and online gambling market.

American Affiliate is a collection of assets focused on generating new depositing customers for legal sportsbooks, online casinos, online poker site, and adjacent products in the U.S. To date, it has generated more than 150,000 new depositing customers for major U.S. brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, PointsBet, and WynnBet. It also counts Betting Hero, Props.com, BetPrep, and Wagers.com among its network of affiliate brands.

FansUnite chief executive Scott Burton said the acquisition of American Affiliate represents the most significant milestone for FansUnite to date, noting it made “clear strategic sense” to enter the affiliate market to establish links with some of the betting sector’s largest brands as the U.S. expands.

“This transformative transaction will provide us further access to the lucrative US regulated sports betting and online gambling market while generating accretive, high-margin revenue, expanding our leadership team, and accelerating the growth of our company’s footprint in the global gambling market,” Burton said. “We will now own and operate an unparalleled customer acquisition portfolio, allowing us to leverage our technology, brands, and talent to immediately capture share in the US sports betting and online gambling market.”

American Affiliate chief executive Grove said sportsbooks were spending billions to acquire and retain customers, and his business’ teams and technology could facilitate that while “producing some of the highest margins in the U.S. online betting ecosystem”.

“But that success is only a starting point, we anticipate unprecedented near-term growth as legal online betting continues to expand into new states and new products,” Grove added. “Joining with FansUnite was key to our strategy of aggressively scaling our business to meet that opportunity head-on.”

While this acquisition is squarely focused on the U.S. market, FansUnite has also taken strides in its Canadian operations in recent weeks.

The Canadian Gaming Association member announced on November 1 it has formally applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to become a fully registered Gaming Related Supplier – Manufacturer, which would give it license to provide its full-service proprietary sports, esports, and casino white-label gaming platform Chameleon to other AGCO-approved operators.

Sports betting in Canada: Are we setting ourselves up for success? 

By the Responsible Gambling Council

Placing a bet on a favourite sports team or game is not a new way to gamble. Like most forms of gambling, people have been doing it for centuries. For years, Canadians have watched from the sidelines and placed bets informally or on illegal and grey market sites – sites that vary in their degrees of effectiveness in responsible gambling and harm minimization. Now, with Canada having legalized single-event sports betting, and Canadians placing bets here at home, it raises the question: are operators, regulators, governments, RG organizations, community and treatment agencies prepared for what’s to come?

To date, the Canadian approach to preventing gambling harms as a public health issue has led to the creation of a safe and sustainable gambling industry with player safety and clear accountabilities at the forefront. We must advocate for the same protection guidelines for sports betting — working together to provide a safe and regulated experience for players that is rooted in player protection. So where do we start? 

Sports betting is uniquely different 

In some fundamental ways, sports betting is distinct from other forms of gambling. It normalizes and integrates betting into an already established family-friendly pastime. In addition to the gambling motivators of the chance to win and entertainment, sports betting adds the emotion of the game to wager considerations. The emotion associated with passion for the team or athlete as well as the heat-of-the-moment gameplay can make informed decision-making about money and time spent more difficult. Some sports bettors overestimate their knowledge of and ability to predict the outcome of sporting events which can increase the risk of harm.

The structural characteristics of sports betting create a need for innovative approaches to harm prevention. As opposed to other forms of gambling where bets are only allowed prior to the start of a game, spur-of-the-moment betting with micro-bets (i.e. betting in real-time on individual moments in a game not related to the final score) and in-game betting (i.e. the ability to wager throughout the duration of a game after it has started) increase the risk of extended, continuous and impulsive play that could be problematic for high-risk groups.

Sports betting also attracts a new type of player with unique information needs and requires innovative ways to reach them. Typical sports bettors tend to be:

  • Younger males with relatively high incomes
  • Educated and employed with easy access to mobile devices
  • Youth and athletes who may be motivated to gamble on sports to fit in with their peers and have limited exposure to other types of traditional gambling
  • More likely to use alcohol or other substances while gambling

Rethinking player education and prevention messaging

We know the characteristics of sports betting and the profile of the people who engage in sports betting differs from other types of gambling. However, what doesn’t change is the need for prevention education that effectively educates players of the specific harms that come with sports betting and how to mitigate them.

Though limited, evidence from other jurisdictions suggests that sports betting begins early in life and that young adults are at an increased risk for experiencing gambling harm and developing misconceptions about skill and expertise. This makes it imperative that the provinces invest in relevant awareness education programming in schools and communities now, before exposure to sports betting increases.

Promoting responsible gambling practices in the context of sports betting, such as limit setting, breaks in play and reminders about the risks of in-game betting and micro-bets, can help equip players with information to make educated decisions about their play. Additionally, a collaborative approach between operators and healthcare, mental health, education and social services professionals to engage in new and innovative forms of prevention education is needed to offset the harms of sports betting.

Research is the game-changer 

To no one’s surprise, research on sports betting and sports bettors in Canada is limited.

In order to address the unique risk factors and challenges that sports betting presents, provinces and territories should start thinking proactively about how to better understand the needs of priority populations. Having the right research and evaluation plan in place, such as collecting baseline data and conducting ongoing prevalence studies will help provide the data necessary to inform a harm prevention strategy and measurement plan.

Focused research that identifies which groups are high risk will increase our understanding of the initiatives that are needed to reach and protect these groups. Studies that explore the unique structural characteristics, such as in-game wagering, micro-bets and inducements that are embedded in the mechanics of sports betting will only become an asset to responsible gambling policies and practices in the future.

The introduction of more robust and longitudinal data means prevention and education programs can be more impactful. With this evidence, we can develop effective and targeted safer play strategies, such as low-risk gambling guidelines specific to sports betting and proper messaging to tackle risky game features.

Advertising guidelines as a national strategy

The creation of advertising standards and safeguards must start with the younger population in mind. Learnings from Australia show that youth were found to have a very high level of gambling advertisement recall and understanding of how to place bets, as well as heightened levels of gambling intention with increased familiarity[1].

What needs to be done to counteract the influx of marketing seen on television, tablets, and smartphones?

A coordinated marketing monitoring effort that limits the volume and frequency of advertising exposure is required. Areas such as ads or promotions that depict substance use, like alcohol and wagering inducements and promotional offers should have restrictions in place. Standards for the time of day and target restrictions, such as children and youth would minimize the impact of advertising on vulnerable populations across Canada.

Due to the reach and impact of advertising, the development of communications standards that are research-informed will help create a more balanced advertising framework that prioritizes and delivers messaging for vulnerable populations, such as age, ethnocultural and gender groups. It is important that we require sports betting ads to include responsible gambling messages that dispel common perceived norms, such as the illusion of control, as well as limit inducements to gamble.

As Canada is in its infancy with legal single-event sports betting, we have an opportunity to create an effective regulatory framework for this type of gambling environment. Collaboration between operators, regulators, allied health professionals and social services sectors will ensure that a comprehensive research, programming, and advertising strategy can be developed and implemented with maximum impact. It is this collective action that will enable the adoption of a safer sports betting industry that is built on responsible gambling best practices and evidence-informed player safeguards.

The rise of different types of sports betting and increased exposure means player education and information will only become more crucial. We urge all provinces to establish a dedicated fund that would provide annual support to prevention education and programming, research, monitoring, evaluation and treatment services for the long term.

[1] Lamont & Hing, 2018; Lopez-Gonzalez, Estevez, & Griffiths, 2017; Lopez-Gonzalez & Griffiths, 2018b; Nyemcsok et al., 2018; Thomas et al., 2016

IGT Releases Global Responsible Gaming Policy

International Game Technology (IGT) has released its global Responsible Gaming Policy, informing stakeholders about its programs and solutions designed to promote fair play and comply with responsible gaming regulations in all jurisdictions in which it operates.

Wendy Montgomery, IGT SVP, Global Brand, Marketing and Communications, said in a release: “Responsible Gaming is a cornerstone of all that we do at IGT, and an aspect of our business where we demonstrate leadership among gaming and lottery suppliers. In publishing IGT’s Responsible Gaming Policy, we demonstrate important transparency about the tenets of our commitments and the exemplary standard to which we hold our employees, products and partners.”

IGT pointed to its strong governance model, innovation and collaboration with its partners as success drivers for its responsible gaming initiatives. Topic-focused working groups created through this new policy have been developed to explore responsible gaming’s rising trends and best practices.

The company additionally noted that it remains committed to responsible gaming by balancing growth alongside social responsibility with an emphasis on the digital revolution and cashless innovation.

IGT’s approach to responsible gaming comprises three primary goals and eight supporting commitments. It also holds certification to the Responsible Gaming Standards for Associate Members from the World Lottery Association for Lottery operations and responsible gaming standards certification from the Global Gambling Guidance Group for gaming and digital operations.

BCLC Names Lottery Leader Dan Beebe as Interim COO

British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has announced that effective November 1, Dan Beebe will assume the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO), replacing the retiring Brad Desmarais.

Beebe steps into the COO role on an interim basis while BCLC takes the time necessary to fill the role permanently, including through an internal and external recruitment process.

Previously BCLC’s Director of Lottery Strategic Development, Beebe brings extensive industry experience, including previous leadership roles in digital services, eLottery and strategic business development. Through a commitment to collaboration with industry partners, he has successfully developed and championed strategies to sustain and grow BCLC’s land-based and online channels, for the benefit of players and communities across B.C.

Lynda Cavanaugh continues in the role of BCLC’s Interim President & CEO, while Jim Lightbody continues his medical leave to undergo cancer treatment and recovery.

FansUnite Agrees Sportsradar Partnership & Earns SBC Award Nomination

Global sports and entertainment firm FansUnite Entertainment has signed a strategic agreement with Sportradar Group AG, a provider of sports entertainment products and services.

The agreement will see Sportradar provide its Managed Trading Service to FansUnite, which includes pre-match betting services, live odds, and betting stimulation services. The provider’s offerings will allow the firm to deliver an array of odds on some of the world’s premier sports and sporting events as well as register end-users and settle tickets.

The partnership will also enable FansUnite’s sportsbook to feature online visualizations and obtain a full-administrative back-office to assist with betting operations.

Scott Burton, CEO of FansUnite, commented: “The partnership enables us to receive the best-in-class trading solutions from renowned sports data provider Sportradar, which will elevate the quality of our betting offering. We will be able to provide optimal real-time odds, adding more value to our wagering platform. Overall, our proprietary technology equipped with Sportradar’s services will create a competitive betting solution that appeals to B2B customers in the global sports betting industry.”

The news comes after FansUnite appointed two new trading managers to its sportsbook team.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Gaming Association member has also been shortlisted for the SBC Awards 2021 ‘Rising Star In Sports Betting’ category, chosen for its cutting-edge B2B iGaming technology and white label offerings that include an esports betting platform.

It will compete against prominent brands including Bally’s Corporation, Virgin Bet, Soft2Bet, Betmaster, and King J Entertainment.

“We are proud to be nominated for the ‘Rising Star In Sports Betting’ category at this year’s SBC Awards alongside other well-established brands in the global gambling industry,” said Burton. “The nomination highlights our company’s continued ascent in the gaming industry and we are pleased that our efforts to deliver a scalable, full sports and
esports betting suite offering to operators across multiple regulated markets are being recognized.”

The winner will be announced at the SBC Awards on December 14.