Canada
PLAYMAKER CAPITAL INC. APPOINTS SARA SLANE AND MARK HARRISON TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Playmaker Capital Inc., the digital sports media company that delivers authentic content experiences through its portfolio of sports media and technology brands, announced today that it has appointed Sara Slane, Founder of Slane Advisory and former Senior Vice President of the American Gaming Association, and Mark Harrison, Founder of The T1 Agency and SponsorshipX, to its board of directors (the “Board”).
“Being able to add two people of the calibre of Sara and Mark is a big step forward for Playmaker”, said Jordan Gnat, Playmaker CEO. “I have known Sara for many years and have witnessed how effective she has been in providing guidance and leadership to the gaming and sports industries. Mark’s reputation is second to none. We have been looking to add a senior executive in the marketing and partnership industry to our Board, and Mark fits that perfectly. Sara and Mark have distinct experiences that are relevant to our core business model, and they will both serve as incredibly important and complimentary additions to the current composition of our Board”.
Ms. Slane is the founder of Slane Advisory, a consultancy focused on advising stakeholders from the gaming, media, and sports industries. Previously, Ms. Slane served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the American Gaming Association. As a key industry strategist and spokesperson, Ms. Slane was instrumental in enhancing the gaming industry’s reputation and overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which has resulted in widespread and continued adoption of sports betting across the U.S. Ms. Slane has conducted numerous team market access and sponsorship deals in the U.S., having aligned gaming partners for the NHL, NASCAR, and PGA TOUR. She currently serves as a board member to Delaware North and a board observer to GeoComply. Ms. Slane is considered to be one of the most influential voices in gaming, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40, Sports Betting Hall of Fame, the 2019 Sports Betting Power Players list, and Global Gaming Business Top 25 People to Watch.
Mr. Harrison has been a leading figure in the sponsorship and marketing industry in Canada for over 30 years. In 1994, Mr. Harrison founded the T1 Agency, a full-stack sponsorship agency that elevates brands through strategic partnerships, creative activations, and effective amplification. In 2005, Mr. Harrison founded SponsorshipX, a global community of sponsorship and marketing focused practitioners. Mr. Harrison is also the founder of Mh3 Collective, an organization that is focused on empowering people, promoting social and racial equity, and removing barriers to education, among other initiatives. As a lifelong volunteer and steward of equity and inclusion, Mr. Harrison founded the Black Talent Initiative in 2020 to facilitate opportunities for professional Black talent. Additionally, Mr. Harrison is Board Chair at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, a Fundraising Campaign Cabinet Member at CAMH Foundation, and an advisor to several ventures, including the Crankworx World Tour, Riff, and NFL Canada.
The appointments of Ms. Slane and Mr. Harrison to Playmaker’s Board will strengthen and complement the Board’s areas of expertise. Ms. Slane’s deep understanding of the North American gaming industry will provide invaluable insight regarding the continued development and adoption of sports betting, an important area of opportunity for Playmaker as it looks to continue to build strong commercial partnerships with sports betting operators. Mr. Harrison’s extensive sponsorship and advertising knowledge will serve as an important and trusted resource for Playmaker and its multi-channel portfolio of digital sports media properties.
In connection with the director appointments, Playmaker granted 400,000 options (the “Options”) to acquire Playmaker common shares (the “Common Shares”) to each of Ms. Slane and Mr. Harrison, at an exercise price of C$0.58 per Common Share, 25% of which vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, with the remaining Options vesting in 1/48 increments each monthly anniversary thereafter. The Options expire 10 years from the date of grant.
Canada
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier
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.
Canada
Play’n GO announces partnership with Canadian operator PointsBet
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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