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theScore Bet continues to light the way for PENN amid ESPN Bet struggles

Ontario remains PENN Interactive’s top market despite its U.S. expansion. Company executives hope to soon be seeing similar success with theScore Bet in Alberta.

On an earnings call with investors and analysts on Thursday, when ESPN Bet’s slow going south of the border was a big topic of discussion, PENN CEO Jay Snowden sang the praises of the company’s made-in-Ontario mobile brand.

“theScore and theScore Bet continue to be a very good story for us in Canada,” Snowden said. “Ontario is our number one market in North America in terms of revenues, gross profit and contribution margin today.”

In the last quarter, from October 1 to December 31, 2024, theScore Bet saw strong growth in revenues (+22%) and adjusted gross profit (+36%) compared to the same period in 2023. That seems to be partly because significantly more people are playing on its platforms now than a year ago. Monthly active users grew 16% for online sports betting and 43% for online casino gaming from Q4 2023 to Q4 2024.

theScore Bet, which offers both sports betting and online casino across Ontario, subsequently began 2025 with record monthly net gaming revenue in January.

Ontario does not publish operator-by-operator data that provides conclusive insight into brands’ market share. But in October, PENN execs said theScoreBet held down double-digit market share in Ontario’s online sports betting market in the first half of 2024, while its slice of the province’s more lucrative iGaming market was at a high single-digit mark.

While Snowden admitted that the ESPN Bet brand in the U.S. has seen “not as much progress as we planned to make,” theScore Bet’s position in Ontario continues to light the way for the company’s digital arm.

Snowden confident brand affinity will reap rewards in Alberta

Snowden has high hopes that theScore Bet’s success in Ontario as a sports-turned-gaming brand will translate well to Alberta whenever that province opens up to commercial operators. Snowden said last year he would expect Alberta to be a top three or four market for PENN Interactive.

An official update from the Alberta government on the timeline for that happening has not been forthcoming so far in 2025. When that province does open, Snowden said it will provide another big boost to PENN’s operations in North America, “given the affinity for and loyalty to theScore brand across the country.”

“We have a brand that resonates with not just people who love sports, but we also have a great casino product,” he added. “Our iCasino business in Ontario has been ramping quite nicely. The monthly active user growth in iGaming in 2024 over ’23 was great now that we have a better product.”

In Ontario, operators are restricted in advertising inducements such as sign-up bonuses, meaning they typically have to compete on brand strength and product differentiation. “We like that,” said Snowden.

Whether Alberta would impose similar limitations is uncertain, but Snowden is confident of succeeding in a similar battle to the west.

“Our expectations for Alberta would be very similar to where we are currently in Ontario. From a market share standpoint, we were not an operator pre-legalization, so we really did have to fight against incumbent operators who had been operating when it was more of a grey market … It’s performed very well against all of the same operators that have maybe larger share here in the U.S.

“And we would expect that dynamic to be the case in Alberta, as well.”

Major poker tournaments coming to Ontario and Quebec

Canada will play host to brand-name poker tournaments old and new this spring.

Firstly, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Event will return to Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for a second year, taking place in the recently expanded poker room at the resort from April 10-22.

WSOP owner GGPoker became the official sponsor of the poker room in January after the resort hosted Toronto’s first-ever WSOP Circuit event last spring. The sponsorship deal made Great Canadian Toronto the exclusive home of WSOP events in Ontario.

Last year’s edition stretched across 11 days with more than 6,000 entries and a total prize pool of $5.5 million, exceeding the initial estimate of $3.9 million. This year will have an expanded schedule, including new Ladies and Seniors events and a Pot Limit Omaha tournament as well as 11 WSOP Circuit Ring Events, and will offer even more prize money.

“The demand for this tournament continues to grow, attracting top talent from around the world,” said Great Canadian EVP Michael Kim. “This year’s event promises even higher stakes and excitement.”

“By combining the best of live and online poker, we’re ensuring players have unparalleled access to the WSOP Circuit in Ontario,” added Sarne Lightman, managing director of GGPoker.

GGPoker is also hosting an online WSOP Super Circuit series from now until April 1 featuring 18 tournaments and a minimum of $5 million in prizes.

Moneymaker Tour comes to Canada for first time ever

Meanwhile, 2003 WSOP Main Event champion and Poker Hall of Famer Chris Moneymaker is bringing his Moneymaker Tour to Canada for the first time ever.

Hosted at Playground in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake south of downtown Montreal from May 7-20, poker players from Canada, the U.S. and beyond will compete for a $1.4 million guaranteed prize pool.

“I’m thrilled to finally play at Playground and meet the passionate poker community in Montreal,” said Moneymaker. “This festival promises great action, and I can’t wait to see new faces at the tables.”

Playground’s VP of Gaming Operations Ryan Bevens said the venue hopes the collaboration is “an incredible first step in what we hope will be a long-term partnership.”

Moneymaker founded the toor in 2023 and it has hosted events in Florida, Cincinnati, Houston and Ohio, as well as internationally in Aruba and now Canada.

Vancouver’s Jackpot Digital gets first US state supplier license

Vancouver-based casino supplier Jackpot Digital has been approved to provide its products in Maine, its first U.S. state license.

In getting the green light from the Maine Gambling Control Unit, the provider of dealerless electronic poker and table game solutions has gained its first state-wide license.

Until now, all of its U.S. operations have been exclusively through the company’s tribal gaming casino partners, noted CEO Jake Kalpakian. It already has a footprint in the likes of California, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Kalpakian says Maine will be just the start of its new state-focused approach.

“We have several additional state licenses pending approval, representing a major expansion opportunity into larger state-regulated commercial casinos,” he noted. “More immediately, this MGCU approval enables us to offer Jackpot Blitz to [Maine] gaming operators.”

The Jackpot Blitz is a fully automated dealerless poker electronic table game with a 75-inch touchscreen tabletop that combines traditional poker with dealerless technology.

Jackpot Digital also keeping firm focus on home market

While the Maine license is its first with a U.S. state regulator, Jackpot Digital has similar existing arrangements in its home country of Canada.

As well as its American ambitions, Jackpot Digital took a landmark step north of the border when it secured a license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to enter the province’s extensive retail casino market. It previously received approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) for its first major jurisdictional, non-tribal license.

Jackpot Digital can now supply its electronic table games to regulated land-based gaming facilities across all of Ontario, Saskatchewan and Maine.

The company said at the time of its AGCO approval that it had already attracted interest as a supplier from casinos across the province and intended to immediately engage with gaming operators, exploring strategic partnerships to introduce its products to the Ontario market. It already has a presence in multiple Saskatchewan casinos run by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

PointsBet board accepts MIXI takeover offer amid rival bid from BlueBet

The CEO of PointsBet told investors on Tuesday, Feb. 25 that the Australian gaming company has agreed to be taken over by the Japanese firm MIXI, despite a rival bid from BlueBet.

Sam Swanell said on an earnings call that 100% of the shareholding of PointsBet Holdings Ltd. will be bought by the Australian arm of the consumer technology company. Based on the cash-per-share price indicated, the deal would amount to a total valuation of around $319 million CAD.

Shareholders will vote on the deal at a meeting which is expected to be held in late May 2025. It requires 75% approval to go ahead. The takeover will also be subject to an independent expert concluding that the deal is in shareholders’ collective best interest.

If ratified, it is expected to be completed in June.

Swanell said the value of the deal, which is not subject to any financing conditions, represents a significant premium of 27.7% to PointsBet’s closing price on Feb. 25.

“The PointsBet board believes this transaction represents a compelling opportunity for PointsBet shareholders to realize immediate and certain cash value,” said Swanell.

MIXI’s gaming operations include developing mobile games and operating horse racing and sports betting platforms. It also owns the FC Tokyo soccer team.

PointBet operates only in two markets, its home country of Australia and Canada’s regulated online gaming market of Ontario. In Australia, it is sports betting-only; in Ontario, it also offers online casino. It left the U.S. market last year after selling its American operations in that country to Fanatics.

Back in November, PointsBet swiftly denied Australian reports that it had held takeover talks with multiple potential suitors, including at least one company in Asia. Canadian Gaming Business reached out to PointsBet on Wednesday. The company did not offer comment beyond Swanell’s words.

Some shareholders prefer competing bid from BlueBet

Notably, Swanell said on the earnings call that the deal is unanimously recommended by the PointsBet board “in the absence of a superior proposal.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the day after the PointsBet call, Australian gaming operator BlueBet published a statement in which it confirmed reports that it had also made an offer to acquire PointsBet. That proposal had a combined equity value of $307 million to $325 million CAD.

BlueBet chairman Matt Tripp and CEO Andrew Menz said the proposal presents a “highly attractive” offer for PointsBet shareholders that provides “compelling strategic and financial benefits for PointsBet shareholders.”

Sources told AFR that the initial BlueBet proposal was rejected because it was highly conditional and did not include funding certainty.

However, on Wednesday, the Australian Financial Review cited two PointsBet investors, Wilson Asset Management and Pendal, who suggested they may look to reject the MIXI offer in favour of the BlueBet bid. Both of those firms have shares in BlueBet.

PointsBet’s other shareholders include American gaming company PENN Interactive, as well as NBC Universal and the co-founders of Stake.com.

PointsBet publicly responds to BlueBet

In a statement published on Thursday, PointsBet responded to BlueBet’s executives by saying that it was already subject to exclusivity arrangements with MIXI when the BlueBet offer arrived.

PointsBet also stated that the highly conditional and unfunded nature of the BlueBet offer meant it “could not reasonably be expected” to lead to a proposal that was superior to MIXI’s.

DraftKings adds Relax Gaming content in Ontario

Gaming supplier Relax Gaming has begun offering its portfolio of online casino content on DraftKings‘ platform in Ontario.

The deal also extends to the core U.S. iGaming states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Relax said the partnership marks a new step in its expansion into North America by strengthening its presence in regulated markets.

Relax Gaming was an early entrant to the Ontario regulated market when the province opened its doors in April 2022. It works with other renowned online casino operators in the province including PointsBet, with whom it struck a deal last October. As of late 2024, it supplies over 120 games to a range of operators in Ontario.

“Since we launched in Ontario we have enjoyed tremendous success, with our content hitting the sweet spot for the broad range of players in the Canadian province,” said CEO Martin Stålros last fall. Stålros replaced Simon Hammon as the company’s CEO last April.

Relax Gaming launched in the American market in December 2023 with BetMGM in New Jersey under the brand name RLX Gaming and extended that collaboration to Pennsylvania last year. It also works with operators including PlayStar in the Garden State.

Now, it has added its offerings to DraftKings’ extensive online casino portfolio in both of those states, as well as Ontario.

Across all markets, it has a portfolio of more than 700 operator brands, 70 partner studios and over 4,000 game titles and supplies games to operators in other jurisdictions including UK, Malta, Spain and Mexico.

It continues to expand its partnerships and markets under Chief Growth Officer Enrico Bradamante, who began in the role in October.

Betty Canada renews payments partnership with Wyzia

Online casino brand Betty has renewed its ongoing partnership with Canadian payments provider Wyzia.

The two companies have been working together in Canada since 2023. As they each look to expand further across North America, the renewed deal will focus purely on the newly spun-off Betty Canada business.

Wyzia offers what it calls seamless and secure online payment solutions for regulated gaming markets. Its platform connects merchants directly to all Canadian financial institutions, simplifying transactions and empowering businesses with reliable, efficient financial tools.

Via Wyzia, Betty automatically processes 99% of withdrawals, allowing players to quickly receive their funds, something which Ontario players say is a crucial factor in choosing an online operator.

“Our partnership with Wyzia has been instrumental in providing our players with a seamless, fast, and secure payment experience,” said Betty Canada CEO Chavdar Dimitrov. “We are excited about the growth we’ve achieved together and are committed to delivering even better services to our community in the future.”

“We’re thrilled to celebrate a year of working with Betty with the renewal of our agreement,” added Wyzia Group CEO Guy Fietz. “Our collaboration has not only expanded our reach but enhanced the payment experience for Betty’s growing community of players. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration and driving further innovation in the online gaming industry.”

Betty looking beyond Ontario’s borders via McDonald’s model

Betty has positioned itself as an online slot gamification platform that caters to Ontario players, with a particular emphasis on catering to the female demographic by fostering a fun, safe and supportive environment. It says that this focused model allows it to retain female players at a rate three times higher than male players.

Currently, Betty operates exclusively in Ontario, although it has offices in New York, London and the Bulgarian capital of Sofia as well as Toronto. That Ontario-only approach is about to change.

In an update last month, when Betty reported a tenfold increase in net revenue since January and over 1000% growth in active players across Ontario, co-founder and Group CEO Justin Park detailed plans to transition to a decentralized franchise model which it labelled “the McDonald’s of Casino.”

Noting that the company’s ambitions “have expanded tremendously,” Park said Betty Canada will be the company’s first owned-and-operated franchise, led by co-founder Dimitrov as CEO under a new business model. Park added that Dimitrov has outlined a plan to double revenue through several key initiatives, including launching a fully native mobile app and beginning to develop original games.

The parent company will expand into other markets, with Park namechecking Betty USA and Betty LATAM as “exciting opportunities for future growth.” Another important step is expansion into Alberta whenever that province opens its doors to commercial online casinos.

BCLC latest Canadian operator to sound alarm over fake ads

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is the latest Canadian gaming stakeholder to warn the public about fraudulent advertising using the names and likenesses of licensed casinos.

In a statement to the public on Feb. 24, BCLC warned that “predatory” and “sophisticated” social media scams are imitating BCLC’s casinos in the province and tricking people into providing financial details on fake websites.

The lottery corporation said the “highly deceptive” schemes post on social media platforms using logos, names and photographs of B.C. casinos. In some cases, the ads purport to offer players exclusive bonuses and promotions when someone registers with their website or mobile app.

“BCLC warns that none of these sites are associated with casinos in B.C. or BCLC,” said the provincial operator’s notice.

BCLC’s PlayNow is the only recognized and regulated online gaming and betting platform in the province. BCLC has a range of official apps, including PlayNow Sportsbook BC, BCLC Lotto! and PlayNow Poker BC. All BCLC-operated social media accounts are verified with a checkmark.

The crown corporation said that it is working with its casino partners to get the posts removed, and urged the public to stay vigilant and verify the legitimacy of an advert, social media post or website before signing up or offering any personal or financial information.

Saskatchewan regulator, casino operators also send warnings

BCLC are far from alone in this.

Just two weeks ago, Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS), that province’s gambling regulator, warned provincial residents not to click on social media adverts for online casinos, citing fears of scammers using fake ads to steal people’s credit card numbers and other financial information.

Similarly to what BCLC is reporting, LGS reported those ads are masquerading as casinos including Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw and casinos operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA).

“The scammers illegally use the logos, images, and branding of these casinos, stolen from the casinos’ websites, to create the fake ads,” said LGS VP of Gaming Steve Tunison.

In Alberta, River Cree Resort & Casino is one venue that has been targeted. Last year, both Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) and Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) warned players about social media ads implying that land-based venues are offering iGaming.

The issue is so bad that Canadian casino operator Great Canadian Entertainment keeps a dedicated scam alert list on its website. Since the start of 2025, GCE retail venues in Ontario, B.C., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have been used for this kind of fraud.

Kambi taking over as OLG’s sportsbook supplier

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is getting a new omnichannel sportsbook provider.

Kambi announced on Monday that it is taking over the contract currently held by France’s La Française des Jeux (FDJ). FDJ identified Kambi as its preferred assignee and Kambi expects the multi-channel migration to be completed in the second half of 2025.

The Swedish-founded, Malta-based B2B provider will take over from FDJ for the final seven years of a contract which runs until 2032.

Per the terms of the agreement, Kambi must make “a material initial investment” in order to assume its status as the contract holder.

It’s not quite a done deal. In Kambi’s quarterly earnings update this week, CEO Werner Becher said that “there remains some work to do to get this over the line.”

However, he added that he has “no reason to doubt” that the deal will be completed.

Kambi will add OLG to list of sportsbook partners

OLG offers retail and online sports betting through its PROLINE brand. Previously the monopolist on regulated sports betting before the province welcomed commercial operators into the mix, the lottery’s platform is estimated to hold around 20% of Ontario’s regulated online casino and sports betting market.

“OLG has a fantastic reputation in the Canadian province of Ontario where, until recently, it held the monopoly for sports betting,” added Becher in the earnings update. “OLG has a large existing retail business with an exciting growth opportunity in its online business where OLG has faced increased competition since re-regulation in 2022.

“I believe with a sportsbook of Kambi’s quality, combined with OLG’s local market knowledge and reputation, OLG can grow its online market share.”

Kambi already provides sportsbook solutions to commercial operators including Bally’s Corporation, MGM Resorts International subsidiary LeoVegas and Rush Street Interactive. In Ontario, it also powers retail sports betting for numerous Great Canadian Entertainment casinos, as well as Mohegan’s Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara.

FDJ badly hit by French tax changes

FDJ stated earlier this month that its 2025 outlook has been “significantly” curtailed by France’s 2025 Social Security Financing Act, which is increasing levies on betting and gaming in the European nation from July 1.

The company estimates that the hike will automatically reduce its revenue and recurring EBITDA by nearly $67 million CAD in FY 2025, equating to a full-year impact of nearly $134 million.

While a reason for FDJ relinquishing its sportsbook contract with OLG was not given, Kambi added in its release that FDJ is stepping aside “in line with its strategic refocus on international activities on B2C operations in the lottery, sports betting and online gaming market.”

A FDJ spokesperson told Canadian Gaming Business that yielding the OLG contract was a planned move that is “not related in any ways to our recent announcements.”

Ex-CGA chair Ilkim Hincer named GeoComply chief legal officer

Ilkim Hincer, the former chair of the board at the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), has been named chief legal officer of geolocation specialists GeoComply.

Hincer was formerly a partner and the chair of the gaming division at law firm Fogler, Rubinoff LLP.

A longtime lawyer, he previously worked in Canadian gaming as general counsel and corporate secretary at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), VP and general counsel at Ontario’s Casino Rama and he has also been a partner and head of gaming, lottery and esports at McCarthy Tétrault.

His previous roles also include nearly four years spent as EVP and chief legal officer of Hard Rock International.

At Vancouver-headquartered GeoComply, he will lead the company’s legal and regulatory operations in its various jurisdictions.

GeoComply said that Hincer brings deep experience in regulatory affairs, ethics, compliance and governance across all areas of gaming.

“Ilkim brings a nuanced understanding of global gaming, legislative and regulatory frameworks and the impact of technology and innovation, enabling us to assist our customers amidst increasing complexity,” added the statement.

“Ilkim’s extensive background includes gaming law, commercial, tribal, and First Nations gaming, iGaming, land-based casino operations, hospitality, technology, and entertainment. He also possesses a deep understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring we continue to provide best-in-class solutions and drive value for our customers.”

Hincer’s term as CGA board chair ended in January 2025.

Games developer RubyPlay looks to shine in Ontario

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is one of the busiest around for suppliers, and another development studio, RubyPlay, is setting up stall in the province.

RubyPlay has been granted a license by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and can now offer its portfolio of games to licensed operators in Canada’s only regulated online gaming market.

“Our goal at RubyPlay is to bring our expansive portfolio of unique and innovative games to as many players as possible around the world,” said Chief Product Officer Dr. Eyal Loz. “We’re therefore thrilled to have obtained our Ontario license and build our reach in Canada.

“RubyPlay has an outstanding track record empowering our partner’s brands through our innovative and time relevant product offering. We believe that North America will be a strong growth engine for us, where building and maintaining a strong brand is key.”

The company will be announcing a deal with a renowned operator in the market in March.

RubyPlay only just entered U.S. market

Ontario entry is the latest step in RubyPlay’s North American expansion.

The Malta-based supplier launched in the U.S. last month with Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers and FanDuel in New Jersey, which it said would be “launchpad” for the company on this side of the Atlantic. BetRivers will also take the supplier’s content live in Pennsylvania and Delaware and RubyPlay is exploring opportunities in Michigan, West Virginia and beyond.

RubyPlay now gets to supply its games in Ontario’s multi-billion-dollar online casino market. iGaming Ontario’s (iGO) numbers for January 2025 show that there are at least 1.1 million active player accounts on regulated online gaming platforms in the province.

More than four-fifths (83%) of total online gaming handle and 70% of total gross gaming revenue in Ontario’s regulated market in January came from online casino. Since the market opened up to commercial operators in April 2022, that vertical has produced GGR of more than $4.5 billion.