BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season

With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.

“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”

While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.

“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”

In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.

“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:

• Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
• Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
• Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.

Caesars Entertainment announced the closing of the previously announced sale of the LINQ Promenade to a joint venture formed between TPG Real Estate (TPG) and the Investment Management Platform of Acadia Realty Trust (Acadia) for $275 million. Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, Caesars made a $275 million voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan B due 2030 with the proceeds from the transaction.

Latham & Watkins LLP and Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck LLP represented Caesars on the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided transaction counsel to TPG & Acadia.

Aristocrat Interactive, Aristocrat’s online Real Money Gaming (RMG) division, announced that the stampede continues with the launch of Buffalo Gold Max Power in the US. This marks the fifth online game in the award-winning and iconic Buffalo portfolio, following the success of Buffalo, Buffalo Gold Collection, Buffalo Chief, and Buffalo Gold Revolution.

Buffalo Gold Max Power builds on the legacy and popularity of Buffalo Gold, a fan-favorite in land-based casinos. This online adaptation is born to entertain with new features powered by Aristocrat’s proprietary Max Power mechanic, offering players up to 46,656 ways to win free spins and collect Gold Buffalos. With dynamic reels that vary from 2 to 6 symbols on every spin and a redefined feature, Buffalo Gold Max Power is ready to create a stampede of excitement.

“For more than a decade, our iconic Buffalo games have captivated players as some of the most iconic slot games in land-based casinos. With Buffalo Gold Max Power, we’re bringing this timeless favorite online with enhanced gameplay and features that players will love. The launch in New Jersey is an exciting milestone as we continue to deliver innovative and memorable gaming experiences globally,” said Josh Morris, SVP Content at Aristocrat Interactive Content & Aggregation.

Earlier this year, Buffalo was awarded the winner of the Top Performing Omni-Channel Slot at the EKG Awards. The launch of Buffalo Gold Max Power is the latest step in Aristocrat Interactive’s strategy to expand Aristocrat’s industry-leading content portfolio into the online space. The game is currently available with online operators in New Jersey, Ontario, Canada and the UK, with more markets to follow overtime.