Canada
MediaCentral Begins Beta Launch of ECentralSports.com Capitalizing on the Global eSports Phenomenon

Media Central Corporation Inc. announces the beta-launch of its newest platform, ECentralSports.com (“ECentralSports”). ECentralSports will be a dynamic digital destination for eGaming and eSports (“Gaming”) fans in search of the latest in news, information and culture. Leveraging NOW Magazine (“NOW”) and Georgia Straight (“the Straight”), the Company’s central publications, ECentralSports will enter the market with access to 6.5 million of the most coveted consumers and the support of award-winning editors, writers and directors.
ECentralSports will tap into a global market with extensive reach. In its fall 2019 global games market report, Newzoo estimated the current Gaming market to be US$148.8 billion. They also reported that eSports alone reached 454M viewers worldwide in 2019 with growth projected to 645M by 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused Gaming to experience exponential growth. People are at home with no live-action sports to engage with and are increasingly turning to Gaming for entertainment. An April 2020 article in AdWeek stated: “gaming has exploded like never before [and has] become the new social currency and a cultural force.” According to the same article, the telecoms giant Verizon released information demonstrating U.S. video game usage during peak hours has increased by 75 per cent since the global lock-down first went into effect, and that Gaming as an industry is larger than the NFL, NBA, MLB and the NHL combined.
The explosive industry has already garnered the attention of top brands, with Louis Vuitton, Nike, Coca-Cola and BMW all sponsoring eSports tournaments. The financial community has also taken notice of the global Gaming phenomenon. In April 2019, Deloitte released a report on eSports financing that indicated US$4.5B was invested in the industry in 2018 alone. High profile investments have also targeted the disruptive industry such as the recently announced investment into FaZe Clan, a leading eSports organization, by the iconic entertainment entrepreneur Jimmy Iovine (Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M; co-founder of Beats Electronics).
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce the beta-launch of our Gaming publication, ECentralSports.com. The audience psychographics of eSports and gaming enthusiasts directly aligns with our existing audience of 6.5 million market and cultural pace setters,” said Brian Kalish, CEO of MediaCentral. “ECentralSports will acquire and scale traffic by leveraging readership from our current high-performing titles, opening up immediate opportunities to monetize the new channel through an integrated editorial, display advertising, affiliate marketing and omnichannel sponsored content strategy, designed to benefit our advertising partners.”
MediaCentral has already begun testing Esports content on both NOW and the Straight with positive traction. The data shows a 37 per cent increase of users’ session length on eSports content, a 10.5 per cent improved click-through on newsletters containing eSports content and 8.5 per cent above average pageviews for eSports content. This illustrates the existence of a fanbase who will readily covert to ECentralSports.com once launched. The integration of content between NOW and the Straight will continue when ECentralSports.com is live, providing further opportunity for organic audience growth.
ECentralSports is the second original digital platform from MediaCentral, following the 2019 fall launch of Canncentral.com, a digital cannabis lifestyle publication. This marks the continuation of the company’s planned strategy to produce and acquire existing high-quality publications across North America to consolidate, digitize and monetize an audience of over 100 million of North America’s most influential readers. MediaCentral will provide these coveted readers with access to on-trend, relevant and authentic news and content across all its titles.
ECentralSports is slated to go live in May 2020.
About Media Central Corporation Inc.
Media Central Corporation Inc. (CSE: FLYY, FSE: 3AT) is an alternative media company situated to acquire and develop high-quality publishing assets starting with the recent acquisition of Vancouver Free Press Corp., the purchase of NOW Communications Inc. and the launch of digital cannabis platform CannCentral.com. MediaCentral is consolidating and digitally monetizing the over 100 million coveted and premium consumers of the approximately 100 alternative urban publications across North America, creating the most powerful audience of influencers.
SOURCE Media Central Corporation Inc.
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.
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Hard Rock Bet Launches New Responsible Gaming Website
-
Latest News7 days ago
Influencer Rafa Campelo Becomes the New Face of MC Games’ Social Media Presence
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
California Gambling Control Commission Reviews Licensing and Ownership Transfers at September 18 Meeting
-
Latest News7 days ago
FBM® adds a new hero to its slots collection with Hippo’s Lock™ launch in Mexico
-
Latest News7 days ago
BetMGM Partners with Fremantle to Launch New “The Price is Right” Game
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Four in Five U.S. Voters Say Sports Events Contracts Should Be Regulated Like Other Online Sportsbooks
-
Latest News7 days ago
Atlas World Sports Names Las Vegas Sports Betting Veteran Gary Greene as Lead Football Analyst
-
Conferences7 days ago
Gaming Industry’s Top CEOs Bill Hornbuckle, Peter Jackson & Jason Robins to Keynote G2E 2025