The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.
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The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.

Canada

Loto-Québec announces the dates and conditions for the reopening of its gaming establishments, as well as the cost-saving measures affecting its operations and personnel

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Blueprint Gaming’s slots now available at Loto-Québec

 

Loto-Québec will gradually reopen its establishments according to the following schedule, with operations adjusted to comply with physical distancing and hygiene standards:

  • Hilton Lac-Leamy: July 13
  • Casino de Charlevoix, Casino de Mont-Tremblant, Québec and Trois-Rivières gaming halls: July 16
  • Casino du Lac Leamy: July 23
  • Casino de Montréal: August 3
  • VLT and Kinzo network: July 7
  • Network bingo: July 3

As establishments reopen, the Corporation’s top priority will be to ensure that operations resume in such a way as to allow employees and customers to stay safe while enjoying a fun environment.

Rigorous safety measures, modified opening hours and an online reservation system

When Loto-Québec’s establishments reopen, customers will notice the following important changes to operations and on gaming floors, including:

  • New online reservation system for customers
  • Casino sectors will be limited to a maximum of 250 customers at a time
    • Québec City gaming hall(250 customers)
    • Trois-Rivières gaming hall(250 customers)
    • Casino de Charlevoix(250 customers)
    • Casino de Mont-Tremblant(250 customers)
    • Casino du Lac-Leamy(4 sectors with 250 customers = 1,000)
    • Casino de Montréal(6 sectors with 250 customers = 1,500)
  • Complete disinfection of each establishment every day and cleaning of gaming machines between customers
  • All employees on gaming floors required to wear procedural mask and, when required under CNESST standards, eye protection
  • Customers required to wear a mask or face covering
  • Directional signage people must follow to get from one location to another and two-metre physical distancing signage
  • Reconfiguration of gaming floors:
    • Slot machine activation that ensures physical distancing
    • Reduced number of players at gaming tables and installation of protective panels between the dealer and players
  • Availability of rubber-tipped stylets to avoid touching slot machines
  • No handling of cards or chips by the customer
  • Bars and show halls to remain closed for the time being
  • Snack food service only
  • New opening hours:
Casino de Mont-Tremblant and Casino de Charlevoix Casino du Lac-Leamy and Casino de Montréal Québec City and
Trois-Rivières gaming halls
Thursday: 11 a.m. to midnight

Friday: 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to midnight

Every day: 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. Monday to Wednesday:

10 a.m. to midnight

Thursday to Sunday:

9 a.m. to 3 a.m.

 

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All information on the reopening and applicable measures is available at https://casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/portal/establishments.

 

Savings measures affecting operations and personnel

Since the COVID-19 crisis has been affecting Loto-Québec’s commercial operations for over three months already and despite the announcement of the upcoming gradual reopening, the Corporation is forced to apply savings measures to its operations and all personnel. The decision was made in order to align staffing needs with the level of activities.

Indeed, casinos, gaming halls, video lottery terminals (VLTs) and Kinzo halls have been closed since March, and in-store lottery sales were suspended for six weeks, all of which resulted in a significant reduction in the Corporation’s activities and revenues. Loto-Québec must therefore revise operations to meet the pace at which commercial activities resume.

In an effort to maintain employment and expertise, the Corporation will implement measures that affect management personnel and employees as well as operating and capital budgets in corporate and business sectors. The measures to be implemented are as follows:

  • Significant reduction in operating and capital budgets in all corporate and business sectors for 2020-2021
  • Temporary layoffs in various sectors (particularly 2,250 operations employees in casinos and gaming halls)
  • Cancellation of supernumerary employee contracts
  • Salary freeze and cancellation of all bonuses for management personnel for 2020-2021
  • Hiring freeze
  • Temporary reduction of the work week

Meetings with management personnel, union representatives and employees from all sectors were held yesterday and today to inform them of the decisions, explain the situation and address concerns.

Canada

Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

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Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

 

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.

Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.

Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.

Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.

Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.

Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.

“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”

Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.

“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”

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Canada

Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

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Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

 

BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.

This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].

Registration and program details will be released later this fall.

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Canada

absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

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Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).

The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.

Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestoneit’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”

On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”

Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.

 

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