Canada
New online casino brand BetCoco launches into crypto betting space across Canada and Brazil after securing licenses
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Experienced industry investment vehicle behind land-based casinos in LatAm venture into digital and crypto space for first time with new brand
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Curacao license secured with India, Malta, Gibraltar, Nigeria and Brazil next territories on the radar
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Mike Fox, who led an operation to run 30 land-based casinos for a Euronext-listed company, spearheads the launch
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Group to pride itself on customer satisfaction – offering Las Vegas-style VIP treatment as well as best in class products such as live virtual reality games
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Brand not deterred by recent crypto market crash, as Mike Fox says “we’ve entered the markets at a perfect time”
BetCoco, a new online casino brand, has launched this month with parent company Crystal Wealth Group (WG) planning to operate across the globe.
The platform offers casino, live casino, sports and esports betting to its customers, as well as incorporating virtual reality rooms for the likes of blackjack, roulette and live sports, so players can immerse themselves in the experience.
The project, led by Mike Fox – former CFO of Thunderbird Resorts, is part of a team who have 15+ years experience in launching Las Vegas-style land-based and online casinos in several emerging markets.
Crystal WG are aiming to create a new user experience offering “more thrill” for customers – something they believe many iGaming operators have lost in their brand promotions in recent years.
They aim to reward customers through various means such as via loyalty points to redeem special rewards, attractive bonuses, and exclusive offers/tournaments.
BetCoco has so far launched its cryptocurrency offering, with fiat to follow, in Canada and much of Latin America before its services will be provided in Brazil and India.
The company currently has a Curacao sub-license as a white label operator and are in the process of procuring their own Curacao license. They also plan to procure a Malta and Gibraltar license. They plan to obtain national licenses in Nigeria and Ghana in the short term with long term plans for licensing in certain EU markets, plus identifying parts of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa as opportunities for the future.
Mike Fox, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Crystal WG, said: “BetCoco is a fun brand that offers a fabulous player experience with the leading games and services that the industry has to offer. Innovation is at the foundation of everything we do through creating the best features to continuously improve our user experience.
“We are launching with crypto, with fiat soon to follow, and are deploying exciting paid media marketing and affiliate campaigns to let the markets know about us.
“The foundation of our vision is a passion for casino wagering and sports betting backed by very strong operational experience in both land-based casinos, sportsbooks, and the iGaming industry.
“Our plan is based on working with the top providers in the industry to build the best core iGaming platform possible that gives us the launching pad to offer multiple brands to multiple markets.
“With the market expected to reach USD 154 billion by 2030, we view BetCoco as our first step into this exploding worldwide market where we hope to earn a meaningful share.”
Crystal Wealth worked in partnership with global marketing and digital specialists Digital Fuel Performance to launch the website of BetCoco.
Following launch, Digital Fuel Performance have been appointed to manage full-service digital marketing and acquisition for BetCoco in both fiat and cryptocurrencies.
Nick McClagish, Group Account Director for Digital Fuel Performance said:
“Crystal Wealth Group appointed Digital Fuel Performance to advise on and execute all aspects of the launch of their flagship casino brand, BetCoco, with a focus on their digital marketing and acquisition objectives, forming a long-term partnership with the joint objective of maximising revenue growth in a range of territories.
“The Crystal Wealth team match our ambition and belief in the potential of cryptocurrency betting and gaming to grow exponentially. Our specialist digital insight matched with their deep understanding of specific LATAM territories and their needs is a perfect match to support our joint bid to make the BetCoco casino brand the best experience possible for customers globally.”
Canada
NorthStar Gaming Announces $43.4 Million Long-Term Debt Financing
NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. announced that the company has, subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) in respect of a senior secured first lien term loan facility providing for loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $43.4 million CAD (being the approximate equivalent of $30,000,000 USD) (the “Credit Facility”) to be made available by Beach Point Capital Management LP (“Beach Point”). Playtech plc (“Playtech”) and certain Playtech subsidiaries have agreed to provide credit support for certain obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility represents a significant milestone for NorthStar, strengthening its balance sheet and enabling the Company to continue to accelerate its growth initiatives.
“This is a pivotal moment for NorthStar, marking the largest financing in our history. This Credit Facility strengthens our balance sheet and directly supports our ability to scale operations and drive the business towards profitability with a single-minded focus. We are grateful to Beach Point Capital Management for their trust in our strategy and vision. We are also thankful for Playtech’s steadfast partnership which was instrumental in securing this funding, reinforcing their value both strategically and as a technology provider,” said Michael Moskowitz, Chair and CEO of NorthStar.
“Beach Point has deep experience investing across the gaming sector and is excited to partner with NorthStar to support their strategic initiatives. The online gaming sector has been growing rapidly, and this investment reflects our confidence in the Company’s leadership, market potential, and ability to deliver long-term sustainable growth. Likewise, we value the partnership with Playtech, who are contributing their leading technology, global reach, and strategic vision towards NorthStar’s continued success,” said Gabriel Fineberg, Managing Director at Beach Point.
The purpose of the Credit Facility is to support NorthStar’s continued growth by significantly strengthening the Company’s balance sheet. The Company will use the proceeds of loans made pursuant to the Credit Facility: (i) to repay the aggregate $9.5 million CAD principal amount (plus accrued interest) loaned to the Company by Playtech pursuant to unsecured, interest-bearing promissory notes dated April 25, 2024, September 13, 2024 and December 16, 2024; (ii) to fund an interest reserve account in respect of the Credit Facility in an amount equal to $7,000,000 CAD; (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes; and (iv) to pay transaction costs in connection with the Credit Facility.
Canada
Playson strengthens Canadian footprint with Titanplay partnership
Playson, the established digital entertainment supplier, has secured its latest partnership in Canada after launching its games portfolio with rising iGaming operator Titanplay.
After obtaining its Ontario licence and going live in June earlier last year, Titanplay has made impressive strides in a short space of time with its online casino offering resonating with players across the province.
The agreement sees Playson support Titanplay’s ongoing expansion across Ontario with the supplier’s industry-renowned Hold and Win portfolio now available on the operator’s website, integrated via Relax Gaming’s aggregation platform.
Titles including Coin Strike: Hold and Win, Diamonds Power: Hold and Win and Pink Joker: Hold and Win will enable players to enjoy a feature-led, captivating gameplay experience and expand Titanplay’s rapidly expanding portfolio.
Playson’s latest tie-up underlines its intent of further establishing its brand within Ontario after successfully entering the Canadian province back in 2022. The provider’s industry-renowned portfolio continues to drive long-term value for operators worldwide.
Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “We are proud of the footprint we have established in Ontario with local players truly appreciating the Playson experience. Partnering with an exciting name in the region like Titanplay allows us to accelerate our progress and bring our premium offering to an increased pool of players.
“We look forward to gauging the response from Titanplay enthusiasts and watching this partnership grow from strength to strength.”
Titanplay management commented: “At Titanplay, we pride ourselves with working with industry-renowned names and partnering with Playson seamlessly fits into our plans of becoming a household name in Ontario and across Canada.
“Our portfolio will undoubtedly be elevated by Playson’s Hold and Win collection, offering players a dynamic offering of feature-filled, graphically advanced titles.”
Canada
NFL Partners with Responsible Gambling Council to Launch Student-Athlete Training Program in Canada
The National Football League announced a partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) to develop and implement a comprehensive responsible gambling training program specifically designed for university and college student-athletes. The RGC and NFL have identified student athletes as an important audience for targeted responsible gambling and problem gambling prevention initiatives, as previous research has shown their susceptibility to risky gambling behavior.
The program will launch with a pilot phase at eight universities and colleges across Canada in the upcoming 2025 spring semester. Insights and feedback from this phase will be used to refine and improve the program before its broader rollout to 30 university and college institutions in the 2025 – 2026 school year. The initiative will include a robust evaluation framework to measure the effectiveness and impact of the training. The NFL and RGC will explore opportunities to share the results and key learnings from this initiative with broader audiences to maximize its impact.
“Student-athletes face unique pressures from academics, athletics, and the accessibility of sports betting, making them vulnerable to risky gambling behaviours. Our partnership with the NFL is a crucial step in supporting this group by providing the education and tools needed to make informed decisions. Early responsible gambling education helps student-athletes build capacities to succeed both on and off the field,” said Sarah McCarthy, chief executive officer, Responsible Gambling Council.
“We are proud to support the Responsible Gambling Council in this important initiative. Our shared goal is to equip these student-athletes with the tools and knowledge to navigate gambling risks, fostering a safer and more responsible environment. We also hope to gain insights that will be invaluable in shaping future responsible gambling efforts to benefit all those who play and engage with our game as fans,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility.
The program aims to equip student-athletes across Canada with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about gambling. RGC will design and develop a course that is tailored to the specific student-athlete audience, and support in “training the trainer” at participating campuses, which is a key component in ensuring those delivering the training have the right tools and information to support the learning goals of the program.
The training program will include a specialized, interactive session featuring engaging videos, interactive components, and best practices for responsible gambling. After participating in the training, student-athletes will:
• Understand the dangers, risks, and odds of gambling and how players are likely to lose over time.
• Recognize their unique susceptibility to risky gambling behavior.
• Identify the signs of gambling-related harms and their potential impact on players and loved ones.
• Learn about resources available for those experiencing gambling-related harms.
This collaboration with the RGC is part of the NFL’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling practices and addressing the critical need for resources devoted to both responsible and problem gambling initiatives. It builds on the NFL’s existing efforts in the space, including its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling, which focuses on bolstering problem gambling prevention services and promoting responsible gambling initiatives in the US.
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