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AGCO says NorthStar Gaming didn’t fail geolocation test after all

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has walked back a punishment it handed down to NorthStar Gaming after finding that the Canadian operator didn’t fail a geolocation test as previously stated.

In October, the AGCO fined NorthStar $30,000. One-third of that total was punishment for NorthStar apparently having failed to ensure that its NorthStarBets.ca site was accessible only to players in Ontario. The remaining $20,000 was for the company’s failure to respond in a timely manner to the AGCO’s repeated requests for information about the incident.

At the time, the AGCO said that an assessment found the operator had failed to identify that a test device trying to access its Ontario-only northstarbets.ca site was located outside the province. Tests were conducted from physical locations in Quebec and New York state to determine whether Ontario gaming sites were accessible outside Ontario.

However, in an update on Dec. 23, the ACGO clarified that NorthStar has provided the AGCO with the requested information that evidences the fact that NorthStar did not violate Standard 3.02 (i.e. games on gaming sites shall be provided only within Ontario). As a result, the AGCO has withdrawn the $10,000 portion of the fine. The $20,000 fine remains payable as it relates to NorthStar’s communication with the regulator rather than the now-disproven violation itself.

Canadian Gaming Business reached out to NorthStar Gaming for comment but had not heard back at the time of writing.

At the time of the initial fine in October, a NorthStar spokesperson told CGB that it was investigating the incident with its  geolocation compliance vendor “to uncover the possible causes of the incident and identify any remedial steps.” NorthStar’s website lists Vancouver-based geolocation leader GeoComply as a partner.

NorthStar operates two NorthStar Bets-branded websites. The dot-ca website offers AGCO-licensed and regulated iGaming and online sports betting in Ontario, powered by the company’s leading technology and services partners Playtech and Kambi. The dot-com version is owned and operated by the Abenaki Council of Wolinak and is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, offering services to Canadians outside Ontario.

Canada chairs panel exploring sports integrity

The Canadian government has formed an International Workgroup on Integrity in Sport aimed at addressing issues that it says threaten the safety of athletes and integrity of sport. Sports betting is among them.

Carla Qualtrough, the federal Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, chaired the first meeting of the workgroup last week, which consists of Australia, Canada (chair), Finland, France, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In a statement provided to Canadian Gaming Business, a spokesperson for the communications branch of Canadian Heritage said at the first meeting, workgroup member countries agreed on their shared commitment to safe sport, approved terms of reference for the workgroup and committed to developing a list of key action items and priorities.

The international workgroup will allow the Canadian government to share expertise, challenges and best practices with its international partners to advance international efforts in promoting and protecting integrity in sport, as well as further develop and strengthen domestic policies and programs.

“All participants expect and deserve sport systems that are safe, inclusive, welcoming and fair,” said Qualtrough in a release. “[This] inaugural meeting reflects Canada’s leadership in advancing integrity in sport domestically and internationally. Together, the International Workgroup on Integrity in Sport will address existing and emerging issues while sharing best practices and lessons learned on human rights protection in sport.”

Canada highlights sports betting as potential threat

The first meeting came after Canada recently published its Sport Integrity Framework, intended to support the Canadian sport system by identifying national issues, providing a hub of information for athletes, participants and organizations and serving as a guide to address new issues as they arise.

The topics that the framework says pose a threat include sports betting, competition manipulation and risks to fair play, as well as doping, discrimination, poor governance, corruption, concussions and risks to fair play.

“Illegal activities related to sports betting, such as competition manipulation, pose a real risk to athletes and Canadians and can erode public confidence in the integrity of sport,” the government spokesperson to CGB. “The Government of Canada is engaged in identifying and addressing issues related to sports betting in Canada, including examining policy approaches, working with funding recipients and stakeholders, and collaborating with provincial and territorial partners on this important issue.”

The International Workgroup on Integrity in Sport will continue to collaborate in 2025 and the Sport Integrity Framework will be updated as additional resources become available or when new issues are identified.

BCLC warns against gifting scratch tickets to kids for Christmas

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is asking B.C. residents not to gift minors lottery products for Christmas.

BCLC’s Director of Player Health Ryan McCarthy said the crown corporation wants to remind adults that scratch-and-win tickets can be a gateway for children to develop riskier gambling behaviour later in life.

“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking-stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” stressed McCarthy. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behavior as they grow up.

“While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”

McCarthy added that parents should have conversations with their kids about the potential risks associated with gambling and to take proactive measures including:

  • Monitoring kids for gambling-related lifestyle changes, such as developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
  • Being a positive role model by exhibiting safer gambling behaviour and talking about the risks.
  • Limiting exposure, perhaps by monitoring kids’ online activities and discouraging engagement with gambling content.
  • Explaining how gambling is based on chance.

As part of its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), BCLC is sharing its #GiftSmart message through reminders at its 3,400 lottery retailers in B.C. as well as on social media.

BCLC ran a similar campaign last year, when it noted that statistical research indicates that approximately 10% to 14% of adolescents are susceptible to developing gambling-related problems and 4% to 6% of youths aged between 12 and 17 are currently affected by problematic gambling behaviours.

As part of its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), BCLC is again sharing its #GiftSmart message through reminders at its 3,400 lottery retailers in B.C. as well as on social media.

Christoffer Ødegården, Bojoko: Table game bonuses a growing opportunity in Canada

While slots often dominate the conversation around casino bonuses, table games like roulette and blackjack hold a special appeal for many players. In the Canadian iGaming market, bonuses tailored to table games may be gaining traction, providing a valuable tool for operators to attract and retain players who enjoy these classic games.

To explore the benefits of offering table game bonuses in Canada, we spoke with Christoffer Ødegården, Head of Marketing at Bojoko.ca. With deep insights into player trends and years of experience in the industry, Ødegården shares whether he thinks operators should focus on table game bonuses, how they can differentiate themselves, and if this trend is poised to grow as the Canadian iGaming market matures.

CGB: Should Canadian casinos consider offering bonuses tailored to table games?

There are clear benefits, but it ultimately depends on your current player base and the players you want to attract. Table games are often overlooked when it comes to bonuses, and that means there is a niche you can capitalize on. Offering smaller bonuses for specific tale games or your live casino can be a great way to attract players who might otherwise feel sidelined.

The same goes for offering cashback on blackjack and roulette losses or matched bets specifically for table games, etc. If you see that a large part of your player base loves table games, you should strive to make them happy, and feel seen. There are also table game lovers specifically looking to know if you will offer a bonus on, for instance, roulette. 

The Canadian audience is still warming up to the idea of table game bonuses. In markets like the UK or the US, there’s a much higher volume of players actively searching for these types of offers, often in the thousands per month. In Canada, we’re seeing search volumes in the hundreds. Smaller, but not negligible. I would also suspect that this specific interest is likely to grow. It is also worth adding that these players will likely only sign up for a casino that offers roulette bonuses, blackjack bonuses, etc.

As more Canadian players become familiar with online gaming and explore beyond slots, the demand for table game bonuses will likely follow suit. This is a good time for operators to become early adopters and position themselves as leaders in this space before it becomes saturated.

CGB: What types of bonuses work best for table games like roulette and blackjack?

Flexibility is key. Table game players value simple, transparent, and relevant bonuses to the games they enjoy. Cashback offers on losses, for example, are incredibly popular because they give players a sense of security. Matched bets or free chips for blackjack are also effective, as they tie directly into the gameplay experience.

It is also easy to win many players over by simply making your regular bonus eligible for table games, with a lower contribution towards the wagering requirement, of course.

CGB: What role does Bojoko.ca play in connecting players with table game bonuses?

At Bojoko.ca, we’ve created dedicated pages for the best roulette bonuses, blackjack bonuses, and more. These pages are designed to help Canadian players easily find casinos that offer the kind of incentives they’re looking for. 

For operators, being featured on these pages is a great way to reach a growing audience of players interested in table games. If a player loves roulette, looks for related bonuses, and goes to Bojoko’s page for this, they will then see an easy overview of the best offers. From there, they can compare them and easily determine which casino they want to join.

CGB: How can Canadian casinos position themselves as leaders in table game bonuses?

It starts with understanding your audience. Look at what table game players value most—fair terms, flexibility, and relevance—and build your bonuses around those factors. Avoid overly restrictive conditions or offers that feel like afterthoughts compared to your slot promotions.

Next, focus on visibility. If you’re offering a great roulette or blackjack bonus, make sure players know about it. Highlight it on your homepage, promote it through targeted campaigns, and work with affiliates like Bojoko.ca to reach players who are actively searching for these types of offers.

It is also not just about the offers. CGB recently spoke to our Lead Content Manager, Ville Saari, about how to appeal to roulette players. I strongly recommend that people interested in this topic also read that piece. The Canadian market may still be in its growth period, but as the majority of the country is still unregulated, competition is coming from all angles. This means that you need to be at the top of your game and work hard to attract and retain all relevant niches of players.

NBA Super Slam online slot game goes live on FanDuel Casino

FanDuel Casino is delivering a new co-branded slot game for basketball fans.

The iGaming operator has announced the launch of NBA Super Slam, a new exclusive slot title developed by White Hat Studios. NBA Super Slam, which is designed to deliver a “total NBA experience,” is available to players in Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The online casino title is being promoted by FanDuel TV co-host and former NBA player Chander Parsons.

“With the NBA season in full swing, I am excited to be partnering with FanDuel Casino to launch NBA Super Slam,” said Parsons, co-host of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” “Anyone who enjoys playing slots and has a love for the NBA like I do, there’s no better game to play.”

NBA Super Slam builds on a partnership between the NBA and FanDuel that began in 2021.

Since then, the two entities have collaborated to deliver basketball-themed products for fans including NBA Swish Showdown, which is inspired by NBA All Star weekend’s 3-Point Contest. The online skill-based title made its debut on the FanDuel Faceoff app.

Earlier this year, FanDuel and the NBA teamed up to offer a special NBA League Pass promotion. The promotion, which tipped off the NBA season in October, provided new FanDuel customers with a three-month subscription to NBA League Pass if they bet $5.

Golden Matrix applies for Ontario iGaming license

Golden Matrix Group has applied for a B2B gaming license to allow its Expanse Studios subsidiary to enter the Ontario market, calling it a “pivotal step” in its global expansion strategy.

Las Vegas-based Golden Matrix is a B2B and B2C gaming technology company operating across multiple international markets. Its B2B division develops and licenses proprietary gaming platforms for an extensive list of clients, while its B2C division, including Meridianbet, operates regulated online sports betting and gaming sites.

Expanse Studios launched earlier this year and already has a presence in more than 50 regulated gaming markets, offering a range of titles including slots, table games, crash games, social casino games and more. The studio said its planned move into Ontario opens new possibilities to showcase its premium gaming experiences in one of North America’s biggest online casino markets.

“Completing the filing process is a critical milestone in our journey to bring Expanse Studios to Ontario,” said Expanse CEO Damjan Stamenkovic. “This achievement underscores our commitment to operating in the biggest and most regulated markets and delivering world-class gaming content to players across the globe. We are optimistic about the opportunities Ontario presents and confident in our ability to contribute to this thriving iGaming ecosystem.”

Ontario a long-term goal for Golden Matrix

As far back as January 2023, Golden Matrix had outlined Canadian expansion as part of its North American strategy.

In its release announcing the Expanse Studios application, Golden Matrix noted that the Ontario licensing process typically takes six to 12 months for approval, and success is not guaranteed. It also noted that while it will face competition from established operators, market entry could provide significant revenue opportunities.

Expanse Studios worked with Canadian legal and regulatory firm Segev LLP on the Ontario license filing.

“Expanse Studios continues to set itself apart with its innovative approach to gaming and its dedication to regulatory excellence,” added Segev Managing Partner Alon Segev. “We are proud to support them in this important step and look forward to seeing their positive impact in the Ontario market.”

Golden Matrix Group recently reported a record-breaking performance in Q3 2024, with its consolidated quarterly revenue of $41 million up 85% year-over-year. The company attributed the growth to strategic initiatives and the strength of its team.

It’s not just Canada in Golden Matrix’s crosshairs; it expects to receive approval to operate as a B2B provider in Brazil’s new iGaming market. Its Meridianbet brand, which it acquired in April for as estimated $300 million USD ($430 million CAD) has been shortlisted for a sports betting and iGaming license in Brazil and also secured a sports betting license to operate in South Africa.

Fanatics Sportsbook intends to make Canada part of international expansion

Fanatics Betting & Gaming has had an impactful 2024 in the U.S. sports betting market. Could Canada be its next port of call?

“We definitely want to be in Canada,” Chief Operating Officer Scot McClintic told Canadian Gaming Business in an interview this month. “Will we be in Canada? Yes. It’s all just a timing question.”

Timing has been key to Fanatics’ progress. McClintic moved into the role of COO in October; before that, he was the company’s chief product officer. He suggests the secrets of the brand’s success are the time and care it took to get its platform right before ramping up in the U.S. He and the product and tech teams painstakingly iterated to develop an offering that would resonate with sports fans, casual bettors and wagering enthusiasts alike.

And when it finally struck, it left its mark.

By the time Fanatics’ $225 million USD ($322 million CAD) acquisition of PointsBet’s U.S. business was complete, the gaming arm of the ubiquitous sports merchandise retailer had completed what is says was the fastest state-by-state rollout in U.S. online sports betting history. It is now available in 23 U.S. sports wagering jurisdictions and 95% of the addressable American online wagering market just two years after debuting. Its overall market share has grown from half a percent to around 5% in under 12 months and it has been labelled by experts including Eilers and Krejcik Gaming as “one of the challenger brands capable of making a dent in the U.S. duopoly” of FanDuel and DraftKings.

Fanatics focused on consolidation, then expansion

Of course, while product is key, having brand recognition as the most well-known sports merchandise company doesn’t hurt matters.

Fanatics calls itself “the first true sports brand” to enter the sports betting space and it credits a strong online footprint in merchandise for helping it understand user behavior better than its rivals in the gaming space. That has been boosted by features such as the FanCash loyalty program, wherein customers earn rewards at a healthy rate and can redeem them not only on bets like most sportsbooks or hospitality experiences like legacy land-based gaming brands, but also on merchandise, autographed paraphernalia and more.

That would seem to position it well for potential Canadian expansion, too. The brand is an official partner of the Toronto Raptors, Canada’s only NBA team, and  if you look at the label on your Canadian pro sports team apparel of choice, you’ll likely see the Fanatics name.

But product remains top of mind, particularly with a product guy at heart like McClintic installed as COO heading into 2025. He notes that whether it’s looking at the Ontario licensing opportunity or the potential that a regulated open Alberta market offers, going into any expansion outside U.S. borders with the best offering possible is crucial.

“We’ve got to figure out the healthy tension between expanding and product development in the jurisdictions where we’re already live,” he adds. “In the first half of next year, we’re laser-focused on making sure we’re developing the product more and more and more and more. And then there will be a time in the very near future where we’ll say, ‘OK, this product is now ready to a point where we can simultaneously continue to push it forward and then also expand internationally.’ International, you’re talking about different currencies, different terminology. We don’t take a decision like that lightly.

“So, from our perspective, it’s let’s make sure we continue to nail the basics, then nail the series of features we’re going to roll out. Then, once we’re at that point, go international, including Canada… Canada is definitely on the docket, but not in the first six months of next year.”

iGaming Ontario chief Otton delays retirement as iGO looks for new leader

iGaming Ontario Executive Director Martha Otton has pushed back her retirement date to March 2025 to allow iGO more time to identify and appoint her successor as leader.

iGO announced that Otton, who intended to retire at the end of this month, has “graciously agreed” to delay her retirement and remain as chief executive until March 31, 2025. The agency said her continuation in the role will ensure its “steady leadership” of Ontario’s competitive iGaming market.

iGO has engaged a recruitment firm to help identify Otton’s successor but the appointment is taking longer than projected as they seek the right person to step into a newly defined role of CEO and president.

The conduct-and-manage entity for Ontario’s private commercial gaming market first announced Otton’s impending retirement back in August. Her last day was initially set to be Dec. 31, 2024.

Otton has led iGO since early 2021 and oversaw the lead-up to, launch of and early success of Ontario’s regulated commercial online gaming and betting market. iGO said that during her three-and-a-half years in the position, “she has built a value-driven agency guided by the vision to lead the world’s best gaming market.”

Under her oversight, Ontario’s online gambling market has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, with more than 50 operators and roughly 80 different websites contributing to $2.4 billion in revenue from $63 billion in wagers in FY 2023-24, jumps of 71.4% and 78%, respectively, from year one of the market.

Otton and iGO also selected a joint bid by IC360 and IXUP to develop a new first-of-its-kind centralized self-exclusion system for Ontario’s gaming market to help protect vulnerable players.

iGaming Ontario Act severs tie between AGCO and iGO

Otton’s replacement and their new title aren’t the only change coming for iGO in 2025.

When Ontario approved its fall 2024 budget measures at the end of October with Bill 216, the Building Ontario For You Act, 2014, included Schedule 9, which passed the iGaming Ontario Act.

The act, which was approved on Nov. 6 but has not yet been enacted, officially ends the parent-subsidiary relationship between iGO and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Until now, iGO has been a subsidiary of AGCO, but it will soon become a standalone, independent, board-governed corporation without share capital.

The iGaming Ontario Act will be proclaimed in early 2025, a spokesperson from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General told Canadian Gaming Business. The spokesperson also told CGB that the change has been made in part to address a concern of a conflict of interest raised by Ontario’s Auditor General.

The AGCO regulates the offerings of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), previously the only provider of approved online gaming in the province. Since the province’s market opened up in April 2022, OLG’s commercial competitors have been regulated by the AGCO and, unlike OLG, conducted and managed by iGO.

Bally’s launches all-in-one Bally Bet Sportsbook and Casino app in Ontario

Bally’s Corporation has launched its new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, integrating mobile sports betting and casino functionalities in one place for users.

The updated app combines the existing Bally Casino and Bally Bet Sportsbook apps into an all-in-one platform. Players in Ontario will be able to place bets and play online casino games using a single app, account and wallet.

Bally Bet Sportsbook is powered by Kambi and White Hat Gaming after the company migrated its technology stack from its proprietary PAM to White Hat’s PAM in North America.

“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s,” said CEO Robeson Reeves. “This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting.

“Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet.”

Bally’s launched online casino in Ontario in July 2022, three months after the province opened its regulated online gambling market. However, until now, Bally’s Sportsbook has not been available in the province.

Now, Bally’s Casino players will receive a series of in-app, email and social media messages to guide them through the migration process to the new app.

Bally Bet had teased Ontario sportsbook launch in summer

Since acquiring Gamesys in late 2021, Bally has an office in Toronto, sharpening its focus on Ontario. It previously offered sports betting for few months on a different platform that was removed at the end of June 2023.

The company has long intended to add permanent sports betting to its offering in the province, and Reeves told investors on the company’s Q2 2024 earnings call on July 31 that he expected Bally Bet sportsbook to go live in Ontario in the near future.

“We’ve got a few other sports launches coming through the course of the year,” Reeves said at the time.  “… I’ll call that the simpler ones, which are Illinois and Tennessee… In both Ontario and New Jersey, we’ll introduce OSB, which will help us from an acquisition perspective to help gain extra revenue.”

It most recently launched sportsbook in Tennessee in October, its 11th state, after adding Massachusetts and Maryland over the summer. Bally Bet sportsbook is also live in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia. In terms of American market share, it is not a major player, holding less than 2%.

Reeves on that July call that Bally’s expects to launch sports betting in an additional four states in the second half of the year. Tennessee and Ontario make two new jurisdictions since he made those comments.

Multi-billion-dollar Standard-General takeover close

Bally’s is in the process of being taken over by Standard General-owned Queen Casino & Entertainment in a merger deal worth a total of $4.6 billion USD (approximately $6.5 billion CAD).

That deal was approved by shareholders last month and is expected to close in the first half of 2025.

Omnichannel solution for online and land-based gaming launched by Flows

Flows has debuted an omnichannel solution to connect land-based and online gaming for operators.

The London-based company has launched FlowsOmni allowing its operators partners to seamlessly connect physical and digital player experiences. The solution provides operators with streamlined operations allowing them to deliver comprehensive gameplay across a multitude of channels. FlowsOmni also bolsters player loyalty efforts for clients.

“FlowsOmni addresses the ongoing challenges operators face in connecting land-based and online systems, orchestrating their data and delivering unified products while also giving the operator the platform to innovate and build their own omni products too,” said Flows CEO James King. “With regulatory momentum gaining pace, from established markets like the U.S. and Canada to emerging opportunities in New Zealand, the Middle East, Brazil and Asia, operators with retail and online presence are primed to benefit from a truly unified omnichannel suite.”

Flows has launched its omnichannel solution after receiving a strategic investment from Light & Wonder earlier this year. The investment allows Flows to scale operations and accelerate growth as a technology provider for the gaming industry. Before the investment, Light & Wonder had leveraged Flows services to deliver an operator-funded marketing jackpots feature.

Sportsbook solutions provider Amelco has also teamed up with Flows. In October, Amelco announced the integration of Flows’ technology for innovative product launches and coding services. As part of the partnership, operators on the Amelco platform are provided with access to Flows’ advanced no-code technology allowing for streamlined operations.

Amelco has a portfolio of operator partners that includes Hard Rock Bet and Fanatics.