Canada
Bally’s Subsidiary to Invest $5M in Snipp Interactive
Snipp Interactive Inc., a global provider of digital marketing promotions, rebates, and loyalty solutions, announced that a subsidiary of Bally’s Corporation has signed an agreement to invest $5,000,000 in Snipp.
As part of the Investment, Bally’s will be entitled to nominate one director to Snipp’s board of directors, which is expected to be increased in size to five directors. Bally’s will also be provided with a right of first refusal in respect to any offer to purchase all or substantially all of Snipp’s assets received by Snipp from any competitor of Bally’s. Completion of the Investment is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) as well as the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
Bally’s and Snipp will also enter into commercial agreements whereby Bally’s will become Snipp’s exclusive gaming partner for Snipp’s loyalty gaming platform (Gambit), recently acquired in connection with Snipp’s February 22, 2022 acquisition of Gambit Rewards Inc.
As part of the commercial arrangements, Bally’s will also receive a three-year term license of the SnippLOYALTY software platform at arm’s length rates, intended for implementation across Bally’s physical and online properties. Work will begin on the first two deployment locations in the second quarter of 2022. In addition, Bally’s will be granted an option to license the source code for the specific version or versions of the SnippLOYALTY software platform actually implemented in any of Bally’s properties for a price of US$10,000,000.
“Bally’s is one of the most forward-thinking companies in the gaming industry and their investment illustrates the value that they see in SnippLOYALTY as well as our SnippCARE customer acquisition, retention, and engagement platform. Our acquisition of Gambit was intended as a way to better align ourselves with the Gaming world. Now, only a couple of months later, we’re entering a deep relationship with Bally’s. We welcome their presence on our board and look forward to tapping their deep expertise in this high-growth industry,” Atul Sabharwal, Founder & CEO of Snipp Interactive, said.
“Working together with Snipp furthers our strategic goals around omnichannel integration with well-established technology that can combine rewards platforms across the Bally’s brand and thereby provide our customers with a seamless user journey,” said Adi Dhandhania, Chief Operating Officer of Bally’s Interactive, North America.
As part of the deal, Snipp will also license certain free-to-play games and trademarks from Bally’s for inclusion in the Gambit Rewards platform. Gambit free-to-play tokens, now available in 48 states, are offered as a point redemption option through participating loyalty sites. Bally’s members will soon have access to Gambit’s unique free-to-play mode and Gambit members will soon be able to redeem their Gambit Prize Tokens in the form of Bally’s loyalty points at arm’s length rates.
Launched in 2019 and acquired by Snipp in 2022, Gambit Rewards is a customer network that offers a ground-breaking approach to both online gaming and loyalty programs. Gambit converts brand rewards points into risk-free online gaming and sports betting. Users can play for actual cash winnings and other prizes without risking any real money. This system offers more choices for consumers and unlocks some of the US $100B of cumulative value that is trapped in unused loyalty points.
“With 14 casinos, a racetrack, and digital sports betting properties across the country, Bally’s is the perfect partner to power Gambit’s Loyalty Gaming platform, and we look forward to revealing the newly designed and co-branded version of the platform in the near future. Our ability to deliver a proprietary gaming experience to consumers in nearly every state will help to expand Bally’s presence across the US,” Richard Pistilli, Founder & CEO of Gambit Rewards, said.
As part of the commercial arrangements, Gambit will include Bally’s branding, feature Bally’s free-to-play games, and connect Bally’s loyalty points with Gambit’s Play Tokens. Shortly after closing, the parties expect to commence on a rebranding exercise of the existing Gambit Rewards platform.
The shares of Snipp purchased by Bally’s as part of the Investment will be subject to a four month and one day hold period under Canadian securities laws and the policies of the TSXV. No finder’s fee is payable in connection with the Investment. The proceeds of the Investment will be used by Snipp for sales & marketing and general working capital purposes.
BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.
Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.
To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.
The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.
Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.
“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”
Canada
AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).
Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.
A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
QUOTE
“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:
- 1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
- 2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.
Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:
| a) | On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15. |
| b) | On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”. |
| c) | On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”. |
BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.
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