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Entain Foundation Partners with Responsible Gambling Council on Research to Inform Regulatory Approach to Gaming & Sports-Betting in Canada

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Entain Foundation Partners with Responsible Gambling Council on Research to Inform Regulatory Approach to Gaming & Sports-Betting in Canada

 

Entain, the global sports betting and gaming entertainment group, today announced that its non-profit Foundation will fund research into consumer practices, preferences and behaviours in Ontario, Canada as regulators prepare to legalize gaming and sports betting for the first time. The research will be conducted by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), a Toronto based non-profit organisation and one of the world’s leading advisors on responsible gambling practices.

The Canadian federal government introduced a bill at the end of last year which could pave the way for legalisation of single-event sports betting, with licences for online operators. Entain has already expressed interest in applying for a licence in Ontario if, and when, they are available.

The research project, led by the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Plus – a global consultation service that offers research and strategic consultation services – aims to draw on consumer insights in Canada and experiences across other international jurisdictions to help regulators to make evidence-based recommendations that balance the mandates of online operators with the identifying behaviours and risk factors for consumers.

International experience shows a vast majority of people enjoy sports betting and gaming with no issues, but regulation helps to protect those potentially at risk.

Martin Lycka, Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs & Responsible Gambling at Entain said: “We know from similar research in many markets in which we operate, including the United States, that regulators value research which supports an evidence-based approach to decision-making and effective regulation from a wide range of other international jurisdictions. Entain, which operates across five continents and over 20 countries, has unparalleled experience with different regulatory approaches taken around the world in the past 15 years. “

The research will focus on a sample of approximately 4,000 adult bettors and gamers (18+ years old), providing the most comprehensive and up to date evidence into responsible online sports betting and gaming needs and interests. The work will also review other key international jurisdictions to assess regulatory approaches, using informant interviews to identify effective responsible betting and gaming practices.

Shelley White, CEO of RGC expressed “As a global leader in responsible gambling, RGC is committed to working with regulators, operators and the public to establish the development and implementation of a robust responsible gambling culture. RGC’s work with Entain will contribute to vital advancements in consumer safeguards.”

Research work is expected to begin shortly with the full report due later in the year. Assuming the regulatory process continues, Ontario is expected to become the first Canadian province to introduce online gambling, with initial licences expected to be granted in 2022.

Canada

Casino Time Elevates Social Gaming in Ontario with Launch of iGaming Website

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Casino Time, a full-service online casino for Ontario residents, proudly announces the highly anticipated launch of its iGaming website, CasinoTime.ca. Affiliated with 10 Charitable Gaming entertainment venues across the province, Casino Time extends its legacy fundraising model and beloved social gaming experience to the digital realm.

At the time of launch, Casino Time features a premium selection of games in each of its core product verticals including Slots, Live Dealer Casino Games, and Bingo. Adding to its diverse portfolio, Casino Time is also set to introduce a Sportsbook in late 2024. With a robust suite of features including interactive chat, local customer service, 24/7 accessibility, loyalty rewards, and rapid payment solutions, the online platform provides a powerful casino experience that is community-oriented.

Casino Time is committed to meeting the expectations of players who value the superior gaming experience associated with its charitable gaming affiliates. The iGaming website harnesses industry-leading technology from Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) to deliver an intuitive user experience and offers progressive jackpots and full-service game offerings from Pragmatic Play, Evolution, IGT, and Blueprint Gaming, including mega hits like Lightning Roulette, Gonzo’s Quest, and Cleopatra.

Pragmatic Play will also be the driving force behind Casino Time’s Bingo offering, handpicked by the operator for its best-in-class user experience, comprehensive promotional suite, live chat functionality, and exclusive play-on-demand feature. Casino Time is the first Canadian iGaming operator to offer regulated access to the globally renowned bingo product, Bingo Blast, cherished by players everywhere.

“We have been leading the revival of community gaming in Ontario for 20 years with cutting-edge gambling entertainment at the local level. Now through an exclusive partnership with iGO, we’re bringing our offerings online across Ontario, providing more access to the social gaming revolution that has won us a legion of fans,” says D’Arcy Stuart, CEO of Casino Time.

Rooted in legacy, Casino Time’s team is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled online and offline gaming experience with over 50 years of serving the gambling community in Ontario. Committed to VIP loyalty, high-touch customer care, responsible gaming practices, and safety and security, Casino Time provides community and peace of mind to its players.

“In our physical locations, our gambling product is, of course, second to none, but the special sauce is the social experience, which we’re replicating with the iGaming platform,” adds George Prue, General Manager of Jackpot Time Sarnia. “We know our customers personally and we love being part of their recreation and banter. Plus, proceeds get invested straight back into the community. That’s a gambling model we can proudly stand behind.”

Casino Time is not merely an online entity; it is an extension of the vibrant Ontario gambling community. Casino Time’s iGaming website goes beyond the ordinary, fostering a community-oriented gaming experience that is both social and inclusive.

 

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Canada

Soft2Bet strengthens integrity monitoring with IBIA membership in Ontario

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Soft2Bet will start IBIA membership with Ontario rollout before worldwide implementation

 

Soft2Bet, a leading casino and sportsbook platform provider, has joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and activated its membership in Ontario, Canada, following its licensing in the Canadian province.

Soft2bet obtained its Certificate of Registration from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) at the end of March, where the company’s Ontario-focused brand Tooniebet.com will now feed into IBIA’s world-leading sports betting integrity monitoring platform before worldwide implementation in the coming months.

IBIA includes over 50 of the world’s leading sports betting and gaming companies, who operate over 125 sports betting brands. Soft2Bet’s decision to join the association further strengthens its own internal betting integrity protocols and IBIA’s position as the world’s leading sports betting integrity monitoring body.

David Yatom Hay, General Counsel at Soft2Bet, commented: “Soft2Bet is delighted to be joining the IBIA as we strengthen our own betting integrity monitoring processes and play our part in furthering the IBIA’s long-standing work on this key issue. Ontario is a world class iGaming jurisdiction; it will be the first market where we will implement our IBIA membership and we look forward to deploying the monitoring infrastructure worldwide in all the other markets in which we operate.”

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “Soft2Bet is a very welcome addition to IBIA, further strengthening our position in the Ontario market. The operator’s decision to join IBIA demonstrates its desire to utilise the best integrity protection available for its sportsbook product. The association is delighted to be able to integrate Tooniebet within our integrity monitoring system and looks forward to working closely with Soft2Bet to maintain the high integrity of its sportsbook.”

IBIA is a not-for-profit body that has no competing conflicts with the delivery of commercial services to other sectors and is run by operators and for operators to protect regulated sports betting markets from match-fixing. IBIA’s global monitoring network is a highly effective anti-corruption tool, detecting and reporting suspicious activity in regulated betting markets.

Through the IBIA monitoring network it is possible to track transactional activities linked to individual customer accounts. IBIA members generate more than $300bn in annual betting turnover (handle), accounting for approximately 50% of the global commercial regulated land-based and online sports betting sector, and in excess of 50% for online alone.

IBIA recently released a report on the Availability of Sports Betting Products which highlighted Ontario as a leading regulated gambling jurisdiction, with an expected onshore channelisation for sports betting of 92% in 2024 forecast to rise to 97% in2028. IBIA currently represents over 60% of the private sports betting operators licensed in the province. All online sportsbetting operators licensed in Ontario are required to be part of a betting integrity monitoring body.

IBIA’s Q1 2024 report detailed 56 alerts during the quarter. IBIA alerts contributed to the investigations and subsequent successful sanctioning of 21 clubs, players and officials in 2023, an increase on the 15 sanctioned in 2022.

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Canada

SCCG Management Signs Contract with British Columbia Lottery Corporation

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SCCG Management has signed a contract with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the B.C. Crown corporation which conducts and manages commercial gambling in the province, including lotteries, casinos, and online gaming. This partnership aims to undertake a comprehensive assessment and strategic enhancement of BCLC’s diverse operations.

The work between SCCG and BCLC will involve a thorough review of technological infrastructures, strategic market positioning, and the integration of various gaming modalities. SCCG’s extensive expertise will be pivotal in harmonizing BCLC’s online and physical gaming experiences.

Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, said: “Our collaboration with BCLC represents a remarkable opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation within the gaming industry. We are committed to deploying our resources and expertise to enhance BCLC’s operational efficiencies and customer engagement strategies. It’s an honor to partner with an organization that has a robust impact on the community through its support of public initiatives.”

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