Search
Choose a style
Dark
Light

SIGA reports record profits for 2023-24 fiscal year

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has reported that it made record-breaking profits for the second year in a row.

SIGA’s 2023-24 annual report noted that it took $346.6 million in gross revenue and a final distribution of income of $138.8 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

Those are both new record marks, beating the $303.6 million and $126.8 million, respectively, that were reported in 2022-2023.

Non-profit corporation SIGA operates seven casinos in the province as well as the only legally operated iGaming and sports-betting site in Saskatchewan, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation-owned PlayNow.com. The site yielded $19.1 million of the 2023-24 gaming revenue.

SIGA President and CEO Zane Hansen noted that the results reflect the fact that SIGA has, “successfully built back from the pandemic, achieving record-breaking revenues over the past 24 months, all the while making major strides in enhancing our casino properties and offerings and growing our online gaming platform PlayNow.com in Saskatchewan.”

“We would like to congratulate SIGA on rebuilding from the pandemic period and coming back stronger than ever – with record-breaking profits over the past two years,” added Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron. “These profits will be redistributed back to our shareholders and reinvested in Saskatchewan. To date, over $1.5 billion has been paid out by SIGA to our First Nations communities and other beneficiaries.”

SIGA-operated casinos Dakota Dunes and Northern Lights Casino are set to be expanded in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

It reinvests 100% of its net revenue back into Saskatchewan. Half of net casino revenue goes to the First Nations Trust and is then distributed to the province’s 74 First Nations in the province. The remaining half is split evenly between Community Development Corporations (CDCs), which reinvest the money back into local community initiatives, and the provincial General Revenue Fund (GRF). SIGA estimates it also contributes $2.5 million annually to the provincial First Nations Addictions and Rehabilitation Foundation (FNARF).

LGS takes nearly $200 million in short first year

Meanwhile, Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) also released its own annual report this week.

The 2023-24 report covers the new crown corporation’s first 10 months of operations from June 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. In that period, LGS recorded net income of $191.1 million and net income before GRF payments of $305.1 million. Gross revenue was $585.6 million and expenses were $295.0 million.

SaskGaming was formerly the standalone administrator of casino and online gaming in Saskatchewan before LGS was established as a new commercial crown corporation last year. LGS took over online gaming oversight from SaskGaming, but the latter organisation still operates Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw. LGS also now handles the province’s VLT program, taking over that responsibility from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).

“The creation of LGS was a crucial step by our government to help ensure the success of the entire gaming industry in Saskatchewan well into the future,” said Minister Responsible for LGS Laura Ross. “Following the creation of LGS, all beneficiaries of net gaming and lottery income in Saskatchewan remained unchanged and giving back to Saskatchewan communities through gaming proceeds continued to be the focus.”

LGS made several strategic moves in 2023-24, including replacing or adding 720 VLT machines and 373 slot machines. Last May, it added hundreds of new VLTs in a deal with IGT, and it will undergo more expansion in the new fiscal year through a partnership with Inspired Entertainment, the effects of which will be reflected in next year’s results.

“I am proud of the many accomplishments of LGS in its first year,” LGS President and CEO Susan Flett said. “In 2024-25, LGS will continue to build on its momentum by focusing on strong financial and risk management and on growing the gaming industry responsibly to benefit the people and communities of Saskatchewan.”

Jontay Porter pleads guilty to NBA gambling scheme

Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to the federal crime of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a gambling scheme in which he manipulated his own performances for financial gain.

Porter admitted Wednesday that he agreed to withdraw early from games so that co-conspirators could win prop bets on his performance, allegations which had been made in investigations by first the NBA and then federal authorities. He said he did so to clear “large gambling debts.”

“I know what I did was wrong, unlawful, and I am deeply sorry,” said Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA in April. The NBA investigation also found he wagered on several league games, including one of his own.

The 24-year-old has been released on $250,000 bond while awaiting sentencing, which is set for Dec. 18. Prosecutors recommended he be sentenced to around four years in prison but he could face up to 20.

Porter will also have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and restitution. His salary with the Raptors was $410,000 and he is facing forfeiture of “any property, real, or personal, constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of such offense.”

Porter told the court he remains in therapy and has begun the process of undergoing rehab for a gambling problem.

Porter’s alleged co-conspirators also face charges

In a separate but related case, Porter’s four alleged co-conspirators are charged with plotting to profit from an NBA player’s insider information. Porter was not explicitly named in that case but the details that the player withdrew early from a game in January and another game in March match Porter’s actions.

Co-conspirators Long Phi Pham, Timothy McCormack, Mahmud Mollah and Ammar Awawdeh all face U.S. charges of defrauding a sports betting company. They allegedly used Porter’s tips to place high-stakes prop bets and won more than $1 million USD combined. They allegedly agreed in advance to share about a quarter of any winnings from the March 20 game with Porter. The sportsbook where the money was wagered managed to flag the bets as suspicious before any of the men could withdraw from their account.

The online wagers were flagged as suspicious activity, leading to a report by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) to the FBI and the subsequent investigations.

Ontario police also investigating

Porter could yet also face criminal charges in Canada, as he is being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) conducted its own probe through the OPP’s embedded Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB). That investigation found there was justification for police to launch a criminal investigation of its own.

“The IEB has completed their assessment of available information in relation to the reported online betting irregularities from the January 26 and March 20, 2024 Raptors games and have determined that a criminal investigation is warranted,” Sgt. Robert Simpson told Canadian Gaming Business last month. The OPP is consulting with U.S. authorities.

Experts tip Alberta to match Ontario’s success — if done right

Is Alberta the new gold rush for Canadian gaming?

In light of the Alberta government’s review of potential paths towards a commercial gaming industry, and Minister Dale Nally’s declaration that the province will follow an Ontario-style open model, that question was posed to numerous experts at the 2024 Canadian Gaming Summit.

The consensus was that the size of the opportunity is huge and the potential “tremendous.”

According to figures cited by moderator Alon Segev, managing partner of Segev LLP, on a panel fittingly titled Alberta: The New Gold Rush?, Alberta gaming generated over $2.9 billion last year with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and its Play Alberta platform as the only regulated operator. That number, said Segev, is expected to soar by $1.5 billion in 2024 with commercial gaming potentially on the horizon.

Segev called Alberta “one of the most penetrated gaming jurisdictions in North America.” Even though Play Alberta holds a monopoly over licensed gaming, the province’s gaming market is certainly mature. Experts at CGS noted that the province has a sizeable core of gamblers who have been betting online for years. Estimates suggest more than half of that activity is done on unregulated sites.

Ontario charts the path

One only needs to look at Ontario, to understand the potential rewards of bringing that grey-market activity under regulated oversight. 

Industry consultant Troy Ross noted on a separate panel titled Alberta’s iGaming Evolution that the Ontario model has proven to work “infinitely better than we thought it would,” reaching a channelisation rate of over 80% within the first year.

“If Alberta follows a very similar regime with a similar type of regulatory principles and a similar tax rate, it is going to get a similar result,” he said.

Ontario is three times the population of Alberta and home of Canada’s only MLB and NBA team. It recorded $1.5 billion in operator revenue in its second full year of operation. According to Citizens JMP Securities projections, Alberta’s forthcoming iGaming market could generate more than $950 million a year in revenue by the third year. 

“There’s no disputing that [Ontario’s] model has been successful.”

iGO’s Martha Otton

What Alberta will opt for as a tax rate is uncertain, but experts such as the Canadian Gaming Association’s Amanda Brewer have been vocal in suggesting that more than Ontario’s 20% rate could be a deterrent for operators considering entry. 

A welcoming market also means flexibility within the regulatory model. iGaming Ontario Executive Director Martha Otton told Steve McAllister’s Gaming News Canada podcast that iGO has heard directly from numerous operators that it’s best for them if the Alberta model is very close to Ontario’s.

“It’s a consistent set of requirements… and from the figures, there’s no disputing that this model has been successful.”

Ross and Entain SVP Martin Lycka each predicted that Alberta will do as well or perhaps even better than Ontario in terms of per capita revenue by bringing that activity into the light.

“The Alberta sports betting market has always been rather lively,” Lycka noted.

Albertans ready to spend

In addition to the low corporate taxes mentioned by Nally in his speech, many experts cited the high disposable income of the Alberta population as a factor that should benefit an open market.

VP at Environics Analytics Michael Scida said data shows that Albertans typically have anywhere between 22-25% more of their paycheques left over after taxes, rent or mortgage payments and other necessary spending than people in the rest of Canada. He added that data also suggests Albertans spend anywhere between 30-35% more on games of chance than residents of any other province due to a combination of factors including high income and the widespread availability of VLTs across the province.

“Alberta has a tremendous opportunity for success.”

Environics Analytics’ Michael Scida

“When you see the revenue numbers on a per-capita basis or a gross spend, Alberta always punches well above the other jurisdictions,” opined Ross. “If Ontario was earning almost half a billion dollars in net new taxes in year two, it wouldn’t be surprising if Alberta didn’t conservatively see at least $100 million in net new taxes.”

There’s also the fact that Alberta is the fastest-growing province in Canada in terms of population. Scida notes that between inter-provincial migration, new immigrants, temporary workers and other arrivals, Alberta had 250,000 new people cross the border last year.

“That presents new opportunities to attract business to your iGaming sites,” added Scida. “Then when you look at the spend and discretionary incomes, the total pie is so much larger than anywhere in the country. When you combine it all, Alberta has a tremendous opportunity for success.”

Bring casinos into conversations

While Ontario has laid out the roadmap, experts have reiterated the importance of Alberta finding a solution that works for its residents. It’s important that Nally, the government and regulators keep in mind that Alberta’s existing gaming infrastructure is unlike any other province.

Alberta has 29 land-based casinos with more than 15,000 slot machines and hundreds of VLTs and table games, plus online casinos, commercial lotteries run by AGLC and First Nations and significant charitable gaming activity. Alberta’s land-based casinos are run differently from any other provinces, noted Century Casinos SVP Geoff Smith: electronic games are AGLC-run, table games are charities-run.

“Alberta has always been a gold rush.”

Century Casinos’ Geoff Smith

The likes of Smith, Lycka, Brewer and HLT Advisory Managing Director Rob Scarpelli stressed that Alberta has an opportunity to improve upon Ontario’s model by allowing those land-based casinos in on the ground floor. After all, they arguably know Alberta’s local players better than anyone. The same goes for First Nations, whom Nally and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have placed at the forefront of consultation.

“Alberta can take a freer and more open attitude towards letting casinos do what they need to do to take advantage of this opportunity and to grow their businesses,” noted Brewer. “Things like partnering sportsbooks, launching their own skins, getting licences, and thinking about that true omnichannel experience.” Smith suggested that even simple, “low-hanging fruit” such as allowing live table games to be 24 hours and facilitating greater cross-pollination between racetracks in the and Play Alberta or arriving commercial operators, could have a big impact. 

Ultimately, Scarpelli warned that Alberta must tread carefully.

“Don’t screw up what you’ve built in the past 20 years, which is a well-developed, well-penetrated market.”

Is Alberta the new gold rush? “It’s always been a gold rush,” concluded Smith. “But we have to do our homework.”

CFL commissioner says national betting ad plan ‘not necessary’

As the issue of advertising continues to feature heavily in the conversation around sports betting, Canadian Football League (CFL) Commissioner Randy Ambrosie leader has dismissed the idea that a national framework would be helpful.

Bill S-269, the National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act, was heard last month at two Standing Committee on Transport and Communications sessions. While it draws the line at advocating for a blanket ban, it proposes that a national framework for sports betting advertising be developed and implemented across the country, including limiting the frequency of gambling adverts.

However, Ambrosie doesn’t agree that’s the way forward.

“While Bill S-269 may be well-intentioned, we do not agree a national framework is required to regulate the advertising of sports betting in Canada,” Ambrosie wrote in a letter to the committee.

Ambrosie noted that the CFL regulates betting ads on league-controlled channels, “such as broadcast-visible signage on the field, to limit how often and how prominently a sportsbook’s digital log is featured during a CFL game.” He also stressed that the league has its own responsible gaming initiatives in place and educates its employees on the topic.

“The CFL has demonstrated its commitment to the integrity of our sport and to a safe sports wagering environment for those who choose to bet on our games. We strongly believe that the measures we, and other sports leagues, have put in place support our contention that a national framework, as envisioned by Bill S-269, is not necessary.”

He pointed in the letter to the fact that the CFL continues to make efforts to limit the volume of authorised gaming operator partners that are visible in-game “and will continue to consider more formal policies to manage sportsbook advertising volume and frequency.”

“The CFL regularly receives fan feedback and the league monitors these submissions for complaints related to the volume of sportsbook advertising,” added Ambrosie.

“Having said that, we do not claim perfection, on this or any other issue. We recognize that in all that we do, we must remain open-minded and continue to learn and evolve.”

The CFL commissioner had been invited by the committee to join the discussion in person last month but declined due to his commitments relating to the start of the season.

Sports betting ads are a hot-button topic

Sports betting advertising is the debate of the minute in the industry right now and it was a prominent topic of discussion at last month’s Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto.

As well as the parliamentary discussion, the spread of gambling advertising across Canada — described by Bill S-269 sponsor Sen. Marty Deacon as “a flood” and “a barrage” — has caught the attention of everyone from sportsbook operators to research groups and addiction experts.

While Ambrosie is opposed, the idea of national regulation of gambling does have some support. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has urged the federal government to set nationwide standards to govern the promotion of gambling products.

A cornerstone argument for taking a tougher stance on betting ads is the notion that it can be harmful to minors if they are exposed. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Canada (AGCO) has taken measures to address that danger, banning sportsbooks from using celebrities or imagery that would appeal to minors to promote their products and also banning sportsbook billboard advertising near places where youth or vulnerable populations gather, such as schools. The commission recently ordered an arena that is home to youth hockey teams to pull down advertising for Canadian sportsbook theScore Bet.

Shawn Lemon ban enforced

While not related to advertising, the CFL has its own gambling-related situation to manage right now.

An independent arbitrator has reinstated the CFL’s suspension of Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Shawn Lemon for allegedly betting on league games including one he was involved in as a player in 2021.

“The prohibition of wagering on the CFL by CFL personnel, including players, is critical to the reputation and standing of the league,” stated Ambrosie about that case. “The CFL will vigorously defend its position at the arbitration hearing.” The CFL recently undertook an extensive review of its gambling rules and updated its language and protocols around employee wagering.

SBC announces debut of Affiliate Leaders Summit in Lisbon

SBC is set to introduce the Affiliate Leaders Summit at the upcoming SBC Summit in Lisbon, their flagship event anticipated to bring together 25,000 industry professionals worldwide.

Building on the success of SBC’s Affiliate Leaders initiative launched in 2021, and in response to increasing affiliate engagement at SBC events, the dedicated Affiliate Leaders Summit, scheduled for Sept. 25-26 at Feira Internacional de Lisboa, will serve as a crucial meeting point for affiliates and operators, bringing together 5,000 representatives from both sides in one location.

The side summit will kick off with a dedicated Affiliate Leaders Opening Party on Sept. 24, marking the first time the organizer is hosting a separate celebration for the debut of the Affiliate Leaders Summit. Held at the Ferroviário Rooftop Bar from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., this event offers a prime opportunity to network with leading affiliates and operators. Networking will be a central theme of the summit, with multiple occasions to connect throughout the days. Besides the regular evening parties, SBC will be organizing an exclusive Affiliate Leaders VIP Dinner & Networking Party on Sept. 25 at Kais Restaurante Bar.

The expo floor will host 150 booths with a diverse array of companies showcasing their products, prominently featuring a wide range of operator affiliate programs such as 247Partners, Betsson Group, Blaze, Boss Partners, Buffalo Partners, Growe Partners, Kaizen Gaming, Lala Stars, M88 Mansion, Melbet, N1 Partners, Novibet, PlayAmo, Safe Affiliate Programs, Solverde, Stake.com, VBet and Wow Partners, offering affiliates opportunities tailored to diverse geographic interests.

In addition, the show floor will offer a variety of networking lounges, coffee bars and food areas. The dedicated summit aims to unite affiliates for discussions on their challenges, insights into regulatory navigation, and exploration of promising markets. This will be complemented by networking opportunities across dedicated areas and educational sessions on the custom stage, covering all aspects of affiliation.

At the conference, attendees can expect in-depth discussions covering topics such as acquisition and retention strategies, effective SEO techniques for affiliates, the role of listing fees in mitigating payment disputes, balancing acquisition objectives with social responsibility, the regulatory and technological outlook on streaming, AI integration, and affiliation as a market entry strategy.

Moreover, this year’s SBC Summit agenda includes numerous sessions dedicated to various global markets, ensuring that affiliates and industry professionals have the opportunity to gain deep insights into the regions they are targeting and a dedicated Global Markets Lounge, hosting dedicated market-specific meet-ups.

“At SBC, we have always recognised the pivotal role affiliates play within this industry, and the continued rise of digital platforms has only provided more opportunities for evolution and innovation within the sector,” said SBC CEO and Founder Rasmus Sojmark. “The goal behind the introduction of the Affiliate Leaders Summit was simple: to provide a meaningful platform for affiliates to efficiently network, and share ideas and strategies, whether it’s with operator partners or among themselves. I look forward to witnessing the amazing work and collaboration that this summit will undoubtedly foster.”

Industry experts set to feature as part of the Affiliate Leaders Summit conference include Jesper Søgaard (CEO & Co-founder, Better Collective), Johan Svensson (CEO, Raketech), Šimon Vincze (Responsible Gambling Projects Manager, Casino Guru), Richard Dennys (CEO, GameLounge), Manuel Stan (CEO, Catena Media), Jonas Warrer (CEO, Gentoo), Jamie Walters (CEO, QiH Group), Peter Gunni (CEO, Traffic Lab), Petra Zackrisson (SVP Growth, Better Collective) and Sirp De Wit (CEO, Inovatiq Ltd) and Liliana Almeida (Head of Brand & Corporate Communications, Clever Advertising).

Affiliates who register for the Affiliate Leaders Summit will enjoy complete access to all aspects of the SBC Summit. This includes the Sports Betting, Casino & iGaming, and Player Protection Zones, as well as the Payment Expert Summit, ESI Lisbon, Media Headquarters and the Super Stage at MEO Arena. This access covers the expo floor, networking areas and parties, and conference content. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Operators and affiliates can apply for free passes to the event. If you are an operator, you can apply for a free pass here, if you are an affiliate, you can apply for a free pass here. Everyone else can secure their spot at the upcoming SBC Summit with a special offer granting access to all three core days of the event, including the exhibition floor, conference content, and evening networking parties, all for the discounted price of just $325.

Paul Burns: The truth about advertising standards for sports betting in Ontario

This opinion article by Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns was originally published in the May 2024 issue of Canadian Gaming Business magazine.

I am still amazed at how there are people who never let the truth get in the way of telling the story they want to tell. Manipulating public opinion isn’t a new phenomenon and regrettably is increasingly being practiced with fresh vigour.

There are those who oppose Canada’s growing gaming industry and are applying what Stephen Colbert described as “truthiness” in their rhetoric. I need not repeat their rhetoric here, lest we give it more oxygen than it deserves. 

What they are saying feels right to them, but I need to strongly emphasise that what they are saying is simply not true.

Here are the facts:

  • Unrestricted access to online casino and sports betting has existed for over 20 years; in an unregulated context that did not create a strong domestic industry within Canadian control.
  • Gaming advertising has been highly regulated across Canada for over 30 years. 
  • Ontario was the first province to create a regulated environment to license and oversee online sports betting and casino games to bring stronger oversight and consumer protection and encourage local investment.
  • New Ontario-based rules prohibit the use of active or retired athletes unless the advertisement is explicitly focused on responsible gaming.
  • There are over 20 individual requirements related to advertising standards which cover a wide range of activities from the location of outdoor advertising to the prohibition of mass-market advertising of bonuses or incentives. Operators are required to monitor players’ activities, actively intervening if they spot problematic behaviour.
  • Online gaming operators have robust “know your customer” policies for opening customer accounts, to prevent minors from accessing sites registered to operate in Ontario. 
  • In addition to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s regulatory standards, operators must submit all TV commercials to ThinkTV for clearance.
  • Professional sports leagues and broadcasters are establishing policies and codes of conduct, reflecting the guiding principles that we have built together with the Responsible Gambling Council.
  • CGA members are working hard to ensure the highest levels of player protection – which they have been doing since the market launched on April 4, 2022. 
  • Lastly, but more importantly, advertising volume has declined.
  • Ad volume was down by 12% in September 2023, 31% in October 2023, and 29% in November 2023 compared to the same months in 2022. Gaming ads made up under 3% of ads during this year’s Super Bowl. 
  • Research conducted by Ipsos found that gambling ads are not perceived to be as widespread as is assumed.
    • Out of the surveyed Ontario population, only 19% reported seeing sports in-game marketing or sports in-game “commentators” or analysts.  

The CGA is fully supportive of responsible gambling efforts, regulated advertising and the increasing efforts our members are taking to keep gaming and sports betting fun and safe. We actively participated in the AGCO consultation on the changes to iGaming advertising standards and were in favour of the new rules. 

But this is an important time for our industry. And like other new and growing sectors of the economy, competitors are seeking market share and to build brand awareness within the context of Ontario’s licensed, regulated market. 

It is ethical and appropriate for licensed operators to promote their brands… The CGA will continue working to ensure that future changes are driven by facts and evidence versus emotion.

Within the existing constraints established by our regulators, plus the additional guidelines and standards set by leagues and broadcast partners, it is ethical and appropriate for licensed operators to promote their brands.

‘Tall poppy syndrome’ is a risk we cannot ignore

Canada is, in my view, the greatest country in the world. Yet, there has been an undercurrent of our history that has limited the potential of our best and brightest.

We are, and can remain, global leaders in online gaming. But our ability to succeed and create domestic jobs and economic growth from building platforms and systems that can be applied globally will be at risk through over-regulation and baseless accusations.

The CGA will continue working to ensure that future changes are driven by facts and evidence versus emotion. Gambling advertising is highly regulated already, and that regulation here in Canada is leading the world.

CFL star Shawn Lemon’s gambling suspension reinstated by league

An independent arbitrator has reinstated the Canadian Football League (CFL)‘s indefinite suspension of Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Shawn Lemon for allegedly betting on sports.

The CFL banned Lemon in April amid allegations he had gambled on games. Specifically, in 2021, he allegedly placed a parlay wager worth around $100 on multiple games including one he played in while a member of the Calgary Stampeders.

The three-time Grey Cup champion appealed the suspension in May and per league rules was allowed to return to both training and playing while the appeal was being heard.

Since then, Lemon has played in Montreal’s first four games of the new season and helped the defending champions open with four straight wins.

However, the CFL said in a statement on Thursday that Lemon is now suspended effective immediately until after a postponed hearing. The hearing was originally scheduled for July 5 before Lemon’s appeal and has now been set for Aug. 1-2.

The league requested an immediate ban as soon as Lemon sought to adjourn the hearing to the beginning of August, and said the arbitrator ruled that suspension to be “justified and reasonable.” As a result, Lemon can no longer play games or train while he awaits the hearing.

CFL Players Association supports Lemon

Lemon surprisingly announced his retirement out of the blue in April despite signing a one-year extension with the Alouettes not long before. Days later, he was banned.

A CFL investigation found that the University of Akron product wagered on games but found no impact of Lemon’s wagering on game outcomes.

Alouettes GM Danny Maciocia said in May that the CFL Players’ Association (CFLPA) supported Lemon’s appeal against his ban and had filed a grievance on behalf of Lemon to challenge the CFL decision to suspend him indefinitely.

In light of the investigation, CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie stated that the league was “disappointed that the Players’ Association would challenge a decision so fundamental to the integrity of our league.” He added that “the league’s rules prohibiting CFL-related gambling in 2021 were made abundantly clear to all players at the time, yet Mr. Lemon knowingly ignored those rules.

“The prohibition of wagering on the CFL by CFL personnel, including players, is critical to the reputation and standing of the league. The CFL will vigorously defend its position at the arbitration hearing.”

At the time of Lemon’s alleged betting offences, the CFL did not have a mandatory education course for players around gambling. The league recently underwent an extensive internal review of its gambling rules, updating language and protocols.

CFL players are banned from gambling on league games, betting by proxy, or providing insider information that could be used to wager on games or props. Unlike the NFL, CFL players are allowed to bet on other sports.

Play Alberta saddles up as exclusive betting partner of Calgary Stampede

Play Alberta will be the first online gambling platform ever to offer odds on certain events at the Calgary Stampede as part of a new exclusive multi-year partnership.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) site has signed a new deal to be the exclusive iGaming and sports betting partner of the Stampede. It will provide bettors with new and unique markets during the 2024 event which starts on Friday.

“The partnership between PlayAlberta.ca and the Calgary Stampede will drive entertainment value up for legal-aged Albertans,” said Kandice Machado, AGLC CEO. “Play Alberta can now present new and exciting sports betting markets at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo, such as barrel racing, chuck wagons and bareback riding, while at the same time present the Play Alberta brand throughout the Stampede – reminding players of the only safe-and-secure responsible gambling option currently available to them.”

Playalberta.ca’s Stampede offerings will include odds on the rodeo and chuckwagon events for the first time.

Play Alberta branding will be visible across the Stampede site, including at the chuckwagon finish line and pit signs along the rodeo’s exterior wall.

A summer of change for Play Alberta

The AGLC is embarking on a summer of change as consultations continue about the Alberta government launching a regulated commercial iGaming market in a similar vein to Ontario.

The commission will launch a Play Alberta app for the first time and expects to roughly double the size of its game portfolio on its site, AGLC VP of Gaming Dan Keene told Canadian Gaming Business last month.

Play Alberta is currently the only regulated online gaming platform in the province. Its app will offer sports betting only at first when it launches this fall but will ultimately expand to include all of the website’s gaming verticals.

“Play Alberta is still fairly young in its lifecycle and we’ve always had eyes on developing an app because it’s critical to the delivery of the product,” Keene said. He also stressed that a main motivation is to allow easier access to the platform’s suite of responsible gambling tools.

The AGLC platform has more than 313,000 registered users at the last count. Estimates suggest that playalberta.ca has captured around 45% of the province’s online gaming market. More than half of the overall market share is thought to be held by unregulated sites.

Jontay Porter faces federal US felony charges in gambling case

Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter is set to face criminal charges from federal prosecutors in the U.S. regarding his alleged involvement in an illegal gambling scheme that resulted in him being banned from the NBA for life.

A U.S. District Court for the East District of New York filing names Porter as a defendant. He faces felony charges and New York reports suggest he is expected to plead guilty.

The court confirmed on Thursday that Porter’s arraignment and plea agreement hearing will be held on July 10.

An NBA investigation this spring found that Porter had provided insider information to a group of co-conspirators to alleviate gambling debts and had affected his own performances to ensure wagers player prop bets cashed.

Co-conspirators Long Phi Pham, Timothy McCormack, Mahmud Mollah, and Ammar Awawdeh are all facing U.S. charges related to defrauding a sports betting company.

The charges centred on two Raptors games, one in January against the Los Angeles Clippers and a second in March versus the Sacramento Kings. In both games, Porter allegedly notified his co-conspirators of his plan to exit the games early. His co-conspirators won more than $1 million USD combined by wagering on player props as Porter’s early exits ensured the “under” cashed.

The online wagers were flagged as suspicious activity, leading to a report by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) to the FBI and a subsequent investigation from the NBA.

OPP also investigating with view to potential criminal charges

The former NBA player is also being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) conducted its own probe through the OPP’s embedded Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB). That investigation found there was justification for police to launch a criminal investigation of its own.

“The IEB has completed their assessment of available information in relation to the reported online betting irregularities from the January 26 and March 20, 2024 Raptors games and have determined that a criminal investigation is warranted,” Sgt. Robert Simpson told Canadian Gaming Business last month.

“The OPP IEB is aware of the ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by federal authorities in the U.S. and will be connecting with them as our investigation moves forward. As this is an ongoing investigation, in order to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional information is being provided.”

The OPP will consult with U.S. federal authorities to share information.

CCSA calls for national strategy to tackle gambling harms

Experts at the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) have urged the federal government to create a nationwide strategy for addressing potential gambling harms.

The CCSA argued in a new report, co-authored by Greo Evidence Insights, that the proliferation of legal gambling options in Ontario and the expected expansion of regulated gaming elsewhere in the country require a more effective preventative strategy.

“Canada is at a critical moment in how it manages gambling, said Chief Research Officer at Greo and Senior Research Associate at the CCSA Dr. Matthew Young.

While gambling regulation is handled by the provincial crown corporations, the CCSA report urges making player protection and risk prevention  a federal issue.

In particular, the CCSA is advocating for a national body to:

  • Set national standards which govern the promotion and provision of gambling products
  • Boost funding for harm prevention and reduction initiatives and research across crown provinces
  • Systematically monitor gambling harms to allow the social and economic costs to be tracked
  • Avoid conflicts of interest that may arise from provincial or industry-formed proposals or initiatives
  • Drive increased awareness and understanding of gambling harms among health and social service professionals and the public nationwide

“A national strategy or framework — similar to what we have for alcohol, tobacco and cannabis — is critical to manage the expected increase in gambling harm, especially among youth and other vulnerable people,” said Young.

The report also suggested that the strategy could go as far as enforcement, through measures such as coordinating efforts across provinces to block unlicensed operators or mandating safer gambling measures through federal regulation.

CCSA details key concerns

In the report, the CCSA outlined the basis for its calls for a national gambling harm prevention strategy.

The report notes that the impact on Canadians‘ health of legalising single-event sports betting and opening up Ontario’s market to commercial operators is “largely unknown as there is no national or provincial/territorial monitoring and surveillance of gambling-related harm.” But it asserts that early evidence suggests that increased participation in and visibility of online gaming and betting has been associated with increased gambling harms among both the general population and vulnerable demographics.

It also suggested that new or more popular types of wagering such as single-event sports betting and in-play betting are associated with greater risk of harm.

Pointing to Ontario’s lucrative market, the report asserts that the $35.5 billion wagered in the first year of regulated online gaming in the province “cannot be explained simply by a movement of people from illegal to legal online gambling.” The authors imply that alongside this channelisation, there has also been a significant uptake in betting by people who did not previously gamble.

The CCSA also contexualised the findings by noting that legal gambling is expanding while Canadians are “more vulnerable to gambling harm” due to the rising cost-of-living crisis and the prolonged after-effects of the pandemic.

It should be noted that the report was short on data or evidence to back up any of these stated concerns.

Issue of advertising top of mind again

A cornerstone of the report’s recommendation was the suggestion that Canadians are exposed far more frequently and widely to gambling advertising now than they were in the past.

The CCSA argued that high volumes of advertising and the increased dovetailing of sports and betting “normalise” gambling.

“We have seen a massive increase in gambling advertising and opportunities to gamble,” added Young. “We can no longer watch sports with our kids or go online without being subjected to an overwhelming amount of gambling advertising.”

In particular, the report highlighted concerns that gambling apps and sites operating in Ontario’s regulated commercial iGaming market are also visible in provinces where they do not have license to operate. That has also been cited as a problem from within the gaming industry and was a key topic of discussion at last month’s Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto.

The debate around advertising continues as senators debate the issue in parliament.

Bill S-269, the National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act, was heard last month at two Standing Committee on Transport and Communications sessions. The bill, which had its second official Senate reading in May, would require the development of a national framework for sports betting advertising.