Canada
Ontario Lottery and Gaming to Receive $500M Loan from Provincial Government

Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) is going to receive a $500m loan from the Provincial Government.
With Ontario’s state of emergency shuttering casinos, slot machines, and racetracks for the past two months, the gaming monopoly was in dire need of a cash injection.
Finance Minister Rod Phillips’ office said the Ontario Financing Authority “is providing OLG with a line of credit to temporarily support OLG’s operational costs and help meet its contractual obligations over the short-term.”
“This is consistent with the OFA’s role and helps ensure that OLG’s casino operations can resume quickly and generate revenues that are used by the province to help fund important priorities that benefit the people of Ontario, such as health care, education, and local schools,” Phillips’ office said.
“The government is confident that OLG will be able to repay its line of credit once the government loosens emergency measures and it is safe and responsible to reopen gaming sites. OLG will remain in contact with public health authorities to determine when it is safe for its facilities to reopen.”
Ontario Lottery and Gaming spokesman Tony Bitonti confirmed that “a credit facility is part of OLG’s contingency planning during the pandemic period.”
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OLG has closed all provincial casinos which has reduced OLG revenue streams by more than half,” Bitonti said.
“During this same period, OLG’s financial obligations continue, including contractual payments to casino operators, and other stakeholders such as Ontario First Nations and the horse racing industry,” he added.
“As a result, OLG has put in place contingencies, including a credit facility of up to $500 million that could be used to cover potential shortfalls in cash flow until casinos re-open. Use of the credit facility will be tightly controlled, will include approval of the board of directors, and is subject to re-payment on terms set by the Ontario Financing Authority.”
Canada
Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.
Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.
Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.
Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.
Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.
Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.
“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”
Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.
“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”
Canada
Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].
Registration and program details will be released later this fall.
Canada
absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
-
Gambling in the USA6 days ago
IGT Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin Electronic Table Game Makes Global Debut in Las Vegas
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
Scientific Games Introduces GlowMark, All-New Fluorescent Marking System for Lottery Extended Play Scratch Games
-
Gambling in the USA6 days ago
MGCB Wins Platinum dotCOMM Award for “Mini Me” Responsible Gaming Commercial
-
eSports5 days ago
Global Esports Federation confirms program for Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games
-
Latest News5 days ago
EstrelaBet to offer Opta-powered stats markets and premium live football streaming in extensive partnership with Stats Perform
-
Gambling in the USA4 days ago
GAMING INDUSTRY’S TOP CEOs BILL HORNBUCKLE, PETER JACKSON & JASON ROBINS TO KEYNOTE G2E 2025
-
Latest News4 days ago
Genius Sports Expands its Long-term Partnership with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook
-
Canada4 days ago
Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026