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GeoComply supports Indigenous education and employment

Vancouver-based geolocation services provider GeoComply has announced a partnership with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) that will help it to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and employment for Indigenous peoples of Canada, the U.S., and the Pacific Islands.

Through the partnership with AISES, the company aims to increase diversity, inclusion, and equity in STEM, with a particular focus on the gaming industry.

“We’re looking forward to creating education and career opportunities for indigenous communities in North America at GeoComply,” said GeoComply Managing Director of Gaming Lindsay Slader in a statement. “These communities make up nearly half of gaming operations in the U.S. and can play a significant role in advancing STEM in those industries.”

Based in New Mexico and founded in 1977, AISES’s goal is to spur interest in STEM education and careers. The non-profit organization supports 230 affiliated pre-college schools, 196 chartered college and university chapters, three tribal chapters, and 18 professional chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

“As our world becomes more advanced with technology and science, and our Tribal Nations continue to grow and flourish, our Indigenous students must understand how and why a STEM career can not only provide an amazing career,” said AISES Director of Student Success Dr. Johnny Poolaw in a statement. “(STEM) can also provide opportunities to give back to our communities and our world.”

Gamesys to launch Gaming Arts’ suite of content

Bally’s has announced that its Gamesys unit has agreed a five-year deal with Las Vegas-based provider of gaming technology Gaming Arts to bolster its portfolio of real money online casino games.

Under the agreement, Gamesys and Gaming Arts will work together to identify, convert, and deliver titles from Gaming Arts’ library of casino slot games to all online real money gaming markets in which Gamesys operates around the world, according to a statement issued by Bally’s and Gaming Arts.

Gaming Arts, which describes the deal as one of its first moves into iGaming, will see its games displayed on the Gamesys platform and the former will also develop new titles for the latter.

Mike Dreitzer, CEO of Gaming Arts commented: “This is a truly defining moment for Gaming Arts. As one of our first forays into online gaming, we couldn’t be more pleased than to partner with Gamesys/Bally to deliver our exciting game portfolio to online real money global gaming markets everywhere. Gamesys/Bally is a proven, world-class provider of online games. The fact that they are partnering with us in this exclusive way, and have committed to feature our games within their global portfolio, represents a very exciting opportunity to introduce Gaming Arts content to an entirely new segment.

“This is just the first aspect of our partnership. Going forward, Gaming Arts will work closely with Gamesys/Bally as part of a larger omnichannel strategy to deliver the best of breed games in the online space as well as land-based casino formats.”

PlayCanada report outlines job creation potential in Ontario

A new report from PlayCanada has concluded that nearly 1,300 jobs will be added in Ontario as a result of the impending launch of private online gambling operators. The report offers strong evidence that online gaming does not cannibalize jobs from land-based casinos.

Ontario will be the first province to welcome private online gambling operators when online sports betting and casinos launch on April 4, and other provinces are expected to follow suit.

PlayCanada found that online gambling could lead to 1,295 jobs in Ontario, around half of the estimated 2,600 jobs that will come to Canada with the nationwide expansion of online gaming. In comparison, an informal survey of currently available iGaming jobs revealed approximately 250 openings, with close to 200 of those in Ontario.

“We have found by looking globally that online cannibalization is largely a myth, often propagated by brick-and-mortar casino operators understandably concerned that online gaming will eat into their profits,” said Robyn McNeil, managing editor of PlayCanada.com and chief co-author of the report. “The truth is that online casinos and sportsbooks often act as a tide that lifts all boats, expanding the market to the benefit of all industry stakeholders.”

Among those figures, Play Canada concluded that Toronto-based theScore is adding around 400 jobs as a direct result of the Ontario market opening up, while PointsBet is opening an office in downtown Toronto and hiring another 100. Other licensed operators, including Rivalry and Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers, are also ramping up hiring.

“We know that companies are hiring,” said Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association. “And they’re locating here and setting up offices.”

In addition to the expected jobs, PlayCanada’s research team also explored the jobs that are available today and how well these jobs will pay. It concluded that not only is the job creation potential huge, but many of those should be high-quality jobs with better-than-average compensation.

“I’ll tell anybody, there are a wide variety of career choices in the gaming industry,” added Burns. “Great jobs, frankly…from technology developments to customer support specialists to marketing and compliance work, there’s a wide variety of options. It’s an exciting time.”

There have been concerns from some land-based operators, such as Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, around a potential negative impact of opening a regulated private iGaming market on casinos.

However, Burns believes that the province will work towards a solution that works for all, noting that the future of land-based gaming remains of integral importance to the gaming industry in Canada.

“Ontario casino operators want access to online offerings,” Burns added. “They want to extend their brands beyond the four walls of their properties… We need a more streamlined, single reporting mechanism, and that can be done in time; there’s no question. And I think the Ontario government recognizes it. But I think that’s imperative to make sure that the casino sector can compete effectively.

“That’s going to be the success of the market in Ontario: a healthy competitive market that’s left to the expertise of the companies participating to decide who’s successful and who isn’t. Not policy A, policy B, government agency A or government agency B, deciding who wins and who loses…We want everybody to succeed.”

To complete the report, PlayCanada compiled data and other information from industry insiders, hiring professionals, and economic experts. It includes detailed research of job listings in comparable jurisdictions. Read the full report.

Scientific Games extends Mattel lottery licensing deal

Scientific Games has announced that it has extended its licensing partnership with Mattel for another three years to bring more of the entertainment franchise’s games to lotteries.

The two companies have a longstanding relationship that spans nearly 20 years and includes more than 80 lottery games to date distributed across more than 40 lotteries worldwide in jurisdictions including Canada, the United States, and several international markets.

Scientific Games’ innovation and game design teams have licensing rights to feature the classic Mattel brands across multiple lottery products including instant scratch, pull tab, draw-based and Fast Play games sold at retail, as well as digital lottery games sold online. Scientific Games also plans to expand the use of the Mattel brands in the rapidly growing Fast Play and digital game categories.

A Scientific Games release notes Mattel’s Scrabble and Uno are consistently two of the most popular properties in Scientific Games’ licensed portfolio of 100+ brands, the largest in the global lottery industry. It also distributes other Mattel titles including Magic 8 Ball and Rock ’em Sock ’em Robots.

“Scientific Games is thrilled to continue offering exciting products to lottery players featuring these four beloved Mattel brands. Two incredible decades working with Mattel have provided our game innovators with a deep understanding of their brands and the opportunity to truly bring their games to life. We are committed to continuing the Mattel entertainment experience, and inspired to create new retail and digital lottery games with these properties in the coming years,” said Liz Johnson, Director of Lottery Licensed Properties for Scientific Games.

Rightlander launches compliance offerings in Ontario

Advertising and affiliate compliance specialist Rightlander has launched its suite of services in Ontario ahead of the province’s regulated market opening on April 4.

Licensed operators in Ontario will be required to meet rigorous standards relating to game and operator integrity, fairness, player protection, and social responsibility, and will need to take a zero-tolerance approach to any contravention of the measures specified by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Rightlander has over 100 partners across North America and offers support and advice to gambling operators and suppliers, particularly in relation to the work done with affiliates.

The company intends to help licensed operators meet those compliance requirements, and the company’s specialist suite will also monitor affiliate marketing compliance in different countries worldwide.

Channels examined will include email, social media, video, PPC, telegram, affiliate websites, and websites offering illegal or infringing content. Scans can be conducted in English and French to meet the needs of the Canadian market.

Ian Sims, Founder of Rightlander, said: “It was only a matter of time before the Canadian iGaming sector started down the path to regulation. We have been scanning at the state level in the USA for a while now and are well equipped to monitor from individual states in Canada like Ontario. Rightlander is able to scan from local IP addresses so that our clients get to see how content is geo-targeted to consumers at both country and state level.”

Saskatchewan raises VLT commission rate for operators

The government of Saskatchewan’s 2022-23 Budget has announced that video lottery terminal (VLT) site operators in the province will receive an increased VLT commission.

VLT site operators currently receive 15 per cent of net sales as a commission, with the remaining 85 per cent going to the province. That rate will be raised to 18 per cent effective April 4, 2022, as part of the 2022-23 Budget.

The commissions are paid in recognition of site operators providing space and electricity for VLTs, paying out prizes, emptying cashboxes, and cleaning the machines.

Total commissions are forecast to rise from $33.3 million to nearly $40.0 million with this increase in a move the government says will put that $6.7 million difference in revenue from VLTs “into the pockets of bar and restaurant owners.”

 

NorthStar Gaming signs up renowned Canadian sports broadcaster

NorthStar Gaming has announced that “legendary” Canadian sports broadcaster Rod Black is joining the company as a host and brand ambassador for NorthStar Bets.

Rod is one of the most recognised and trusted names in Canadian sports broadcasting. He spent the majority of his career at Bell Media where he was a play-by-play announcer for the CFL and the Toronto Blue Jays, and host of Toronto Raptors broadcasts. He has provided commentary and play-by-play for various events including The Masters, RBC Canadian Open, and five Olympic Games. Black is a recipient of the Sports Media Canada Award for Outstanding Sports Broadcaster and a five-time Gemini Award nominee for Canada’s Best Sportscaster.

In his new role, he will serve as a brand ambassador for NorthStar Bets and provide sports commentary and hosting duties across the platform’s social channels and in-app content.

“Rod is a familiar voice and face to Canadian sports fans and a perfect fit to champion the NorthStar Bets platform and educate consumers about our content-driven experience,” said Michael Moskowitz, Chief Executive Officer and a founding partner, NorthStar Gaming.  “We’re thrilled Rod is joining the NorthStar Bets team and bringing his expansive knowledge of all major leagues across North America as we establish ourselves as leaders in the intersection of sports media and betting.”

Rod joins a growing NorthStar Bets’ content team which includes Senior NHL Insider Chris Johnston, who leads NorthStar Bets coverage of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL at large.

“It’s an exciting time for sports fans across Ontario and I look forward to introducing them to the NorthStar Bets brand and platform.  Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to cover some of the biggest moments in Canadian sports history, but what I’ve always enjoyed most is the ability to interact and engage with passionate fans, something I look forward to continuing to do as a NorthStar Bets host and ambassador,” said Black.

A special industry reception celebrating Ontario’s market launch on April 4

Ontario’s licensed and regulated online gaming and betting market finally gets off the ground on April 4. The fifth-largest jurisdiction in North America by population, the province is expected to be one of the most competitive and lucrative betting markets on the continent.

Its launch is certainly a milestone worth celebrating.

On behalf of the Canadian Gaming Summit (CGS), the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), and Sports Betting Community (SBC), we invite you to a special industry reception to celebrate the market opening on the evening of April 4.

The night promises to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with Canada’s leading gaming professionals and celebrate a great leap forward for the industry.

Join us and your industry peers from 6 p.m. ET onwards on Monday, April 4 for a special industry reception celebrating the Ontario market launch at the CC Lounge & Whisky Bar at 45 Front St. E., Toronto, M5E 1B3.

Our valued reception attendees will receive:

  • Complimentary entry
  • Beer, wine, and drinks all evening
  • A networking buffet dinner and desserts
  • Great conversations with industry colleagues in a face-to-face setting (finally!)
  • And, yes, the NCAA men’s basketball championship game will be on during the reception

REGISTER NOW!

Limited sponsorship opportunities are also available for the reception with an array of benefits available to you and your organization. Please contact Chuck Nervick, MediaEdge Communications Senior Vice President, at 416-803-4653 or [email protected] for more information.

This event is proudly hosted by the CGS, the CGA, and SBC. We can’t wait to see you all there!

PointsBet Canada announces Ottawa Redblacks partnership

PointsBet Canada has signed on as the official sportsbook of Canadian football in Ottawa.

The Ontario-licensed operator will become the official sportsbook partner of the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks and their home arena, TD Place.

The partnership will see the PointsBet Canada logo featured on all Redblacks jerseys this season, along with prominent branding throughout TD Place, and the company will also become the new presenting sponsor of the PointsBet Sideline Club at TD Place.

“It is hard to imagine anything more Canadian than the Canadian Football League (CFL) in Ottawa,” said Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer of PointsBet Canada. “We are excited to be working with one of the premier franchises in the CFL and can’t wait to bring a new, unrivalled form of entertainment to Redblacks fans.”

“We proudly wave the Canadian and CFL flag in the Nation’s Capital and it was important to us that this partnership be with a Canadian operator who not only knows the City of Ottawa but also loves the CFL and appreciates our Redblacks fans and the passion they have for our team and our league,” said Mark Goudie, President and CEO of Redblacks owners Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG).

“We’re always looking for ways to add to the Redblacks experience at TD Place,” said Adrian Sciarra, Senior Vice President, Sports Business Operation, OSEG. “Partnering with a reputable and innovative company like PointsBet Canada will do just that.”

This is the latest partnership for PointsBet, which has already become an official sportsbook and branding partner of organizations such as Curling Canada, the NHL Alumni Association, and Dailyfaceoff.com & The Nation Network.

Better Collective acquires Canada Sports Betting for $30M

Gaming affiliate giant Better Collective has acquired Canada Sports Betting (CSB) for around C$30 million in a deal that it says signals its intent to have a strong presence in the upcoming regulated Canadian and Ontario market.

Canada Sports Betting offers sports fans and bettors a guide to betting operators that serve Canadian customers while aiming to inform online betting decisions, and also offers sportsbook reviews, bonuses, and odds suggestions. Better Collective described it as “an established sports betting brand with a solid position in the market by helping their users make informed online betting decisions”.

The deal comes less than two weeks before Ontario, Canada’s most populous province and potentially lucrative market, opens its sports betting and online gaming market to licensed operators on April 4.

Better Collective said the deal showed it was serious about the opportunity presented by the Canadian market, and that it would use CSB alongside existing brands the Action Network and VegasInsider to direct Canadians towards betting and gaming sites.

“The acquisition of CSB underlines Better Collective’s intention to achieve a leading position as an online sports betting media in Canada,” the company explained. “This will be enabled by a number of strong product offerings from existing brands, including Action Network and VegasInsider and the newly acquired CSB. In the light of this, Better Collective expects the North American market to continue growing with increasing revenue and operational earnings.”

The affiliate group said it expects Canada Sports Betting to generate revenue in excess of €5m in 2022. As a result, the business upped its revenue target for the year, from €75m to €80m.

Better Collective chief executive Jesper Søgaard outlined his intention for the company to become “a flagship brand within sports betting in Canada”.

“This acquisition gives us a strong foothold in a Canadian market, which is developing in a very promising direction,” he added.