Canada
Open Banking Initiative Canada appoints Tara Wilson COO of Paysafe’s Income Access to Board of Directors
Open Banking Initiative Canada (OBIC), a not-for-profit organization gathering great minds in finance, technology, and regulation to promote the development of open banking in Canada, has appointed Tara Wilson, COO of Income Access, Paysafe Group’s marketing technology and services provider, to its board of directors. The announcement also sees OBIC take another step towards its goal of achieving 50/50 board representation by the end of 2021, reaching 30% of its goal. This stands in stark contrast to the status quo across Canada, as 18.1 percent of director seats were held by women in 2017.
Wilson brings almost two decades of expertise in the technology industry and is an award-winning FinTech leader. She joined Paysafe Group in 2015, later making an internal transition to its marketing technology and services provider Income Access, which specializes in supporting the growth of partners across the iGaming, forex, and lottery sectors, respectively. As COO, she oversees all aspects of Income Access, including product development and innovation, streamlining of all operational processes, and growing the company’s extensive client base by breaking into new verticals globally.
Wilson’s appointment reflects OBIC’s ongoing commitment to establishing a board of directors that possesses a wealth of industry expertise and is bound by shared beliefs regarding the value of open banking for Canadian consumers. An influential and positive disruptor committed to diversity, inclusion, equity, and progressive workplace culture, Wilson has garnered numerous accolades, including:
- Women’s Executive Network (WXN) Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada 2019
- Women Run Workplace of the Year 2020, 2019 (Stevie Awards)
- Female Executive of the Year 2020, 2018 (Stevie Awards)
Christian Clapton, Executive Director of OBIC, regarding the significance of Wilson’s addition to the board, said: “Tara’s a highly recognized and inspiring leader who will bring her considerable knowledge and influence to the OBIC Board’s efforts. She will be an integral member of our team and our commitment to bringing open banking to Canadian consumers. We’re all looking forward to working with her.”
Michelle Beyo, OBIC Board member and Founder and CEO of Finavator Inc., said: “OBIC’s commitment to diversity is incredibly important in driving an inclusive open banking ecosystem. I am so proud to be a board member and excited to welcome Tara Wilson. Tara has achieved so much in her fintech career and it is such a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with her to strive towards open banking for Canadian consumers.”
Commenting on her board appointment, Wilson said: “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to join the OBIC’s board of directors and be part of an initiative that’s dedicated to spurring financial innovation for the benefit of Canadians. In addition, the OBIC promises to be a leader when it comes to diversity and inclusion, something which has always been one of my own core focuses, with its mission of achieving a 50/50 board by the end of 2021.”
SOURCE Open Banking Initiative Canada (OBIC)
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has announced further expansion of its Canadian operations via a partnership with leading operator PointsBet in the province of Ontario.
The Swedish-founded gaming giant’s games will now be available to PointsBet players in the Canadian province, meaning classic titles such as Book of Dead, Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness, and Reactoonz will now be available on the PointsBet platform.
The province of Ontario regulated online casino gaming in 2022, which saw Play’n GO enter the Canadian market for the first time. The company expanded into the province of Quebec earlier this year, and, as of June 2024, is also a proud member of the Canadian Gaming Association.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, commented, “Back in 2022, I said that “North America is right at the top of Play’n GO’s priority list, and Ontario is just the first step we plan to take”. This partnership with PointsBet shows we have yet to take our foot off the gas. We’ve proudly watched our games become instant hits in our two and a half years in the Ontarian region, and we have no plans to slow down any time soon.
“It’s exciting to team up with a fellow Canadian Gaming Association member in PointsBet, and we can confidently say that we are working towards the same goal of a safe, regulated industry that is focused on player entertainment. We’re looking forward to working closely together following this milestone announcement.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, shared “Play’n GO has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality game content, and we’re thrilled to bring their titles to our platform. At PointsBet, our focus is on providing a safe and engaging entertainment experience for our players, and it’s clear that Play’n GO aligns with those values. Canadian casino enthusiasts recognize PointsBet as a trusted leader in iGaming, and this collaboration further enhances the exceptional experience we offer.”
Canada
VICI Properties Inc. Enters into Agreement with Indigenous Gaming Partners Related to PURE Canadian Gaming
VICI Properties Inc. announced that it has entered into an amendment and consented to the assignment of the master lease agreement with PURE Canadian Gaming Corp. (PURE) to an affiliate of Indigenous Gaming Partners Inc. (IGP), in connection with the acquisition of the operating assets of PURE by an affiliate of IGP.
IGP is a partnership of five institutional First Nations established to acquire gaming assets in North America. IGP has partnered with Sonco Gaming, one of Canada’s most experienced casino developers and managers, who will assist in the sourcing and execution of casino gaming investments, as well as management oversight of IGP’s portfolio.
Danny Valoy, Vice President of Business Development and Acquisitions, said: “This transaction demonstrates VICI’s ability to collaboratively work with existing partners while building new relationships with highly experienced operators and First Nations in international jurisdictions. We are pleased to welcome IGP as a new partner, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with IGP and Sonco as they pursue additional growth opportunities in the future.”
Anthony Novac, CEO of Sonco, said: “We are excited to work with VICI, an established partner in providing financial solutions to the gaming industry. We believe having a partner like VICI will give us a competitive advantage as we seek growth opportunities in the Canadian market.”
In connection with entering into the amendment to the PURE Canadian master lease, VICI received a 5-year right of first offer (ROFO) on future sale-leaseback transactions. Any additional properties acquired pursuant to the ROFO will be added to the master lease.
The annual base rent of C$22.0 million (US$15.5 million based on the CAD:USD exchange rate as of December 9, 2024) and other economic terms of the PURE Canadian master lease will remain unchanged, including a base term of 25-years with four 5-year tenant renewal options, escalation of 1.25% per annum in lease year 3, with escalation equal to the greater of 1.5% and Canadian CPI (capped at 2.5%) starting in lease year 4, and a minimum capital expenditure requirement equal to 1.0% of annual net revenue. The lease, currently in lease year 2 and escalating on February 1 of each year, encompasses the following assets in Alberta, Canada: PURE Casino Edmonton, PURE Casino Yellowhead, PURE Casino Calgary and PURE Casino Lethbridge.
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