Canada
Great Canadian Gaming Announces Second Quarter 2020 Results

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced its financial results for the three month period ended June 30, 2020 (the “second quarter”).
SECOND QUARTER 2020 UPDATES
The Company’s gaming facilities and ancillary amenities across the country have been temporarily closed since March 16, 2020 in an effort to contribute to the containment of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic (“the pandemic”).
Shareholders’ net loss from continuing operations of $31.4 million or $0.57 per common share in the second quarter, compared to shareholders’ net earnings from continuing operations of $48.0 million or $0.81 per common share in the same period in the prior year.
The Company has resumed certain Ontario capital projects after government mandated closures on non-critical construction projects were lifted by the Government of Ontario on May 19, 2020.
“We had a full quarter of business closure as a result of the temporary suspensions since March 16, 2020 in response to the pandemic. While we have taken actions to significantly reduce our operating expenses during the closure period, our second quarter results were negatively impacted materially by the closures. Since the closure of our 25 operations across the country almost five months ago, we worked closely with key stakeholders such as our Provincial Crown corporations and regulators to ensure our plans properly address provincial health authorities’ guidance and recommendations as provincial economies reopen,” stated Rod Baker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. “Certain provinces have now approved casinos to reopen as part of their phased reopening plans, and we are working diligently on determining the reopening timelines and dates as we complete the necessary health and safety enhancements outlined in our plans.”
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The temporary closures of the Company’s operations resulted in a decrease in revenues, expenses, Adjusted EBITDA1, Free Cash Flow1, and cash flows when compared to the same period in the prior year.
During the second quarter, the Company took measures to significantly reduce its operating expenses to mitigate the decline in revenues from the gaming facility closures. Human resource expenses in the second quarter primarily consisted of costs related to remaining personnel required to support the business during the closure period. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, approximately half of the property, marketing and administration expenses were related to direct property operating costs, including property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance, with the remaining half related to administration costs, including licenses, subscriptions and professional fees.
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter were $62.8 million and $31.8 million, respectively. Revenues for the second quarter primarily consisted of the Ontario bundles’ annual entitlement of service provider fees for permitted capital expenditures recognized in full in the second quarter and continued service provider base fixed fees under the respective casino operating agreements, which resulted in a positive Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was also positively impacted by $20.9 million in lease payments which are no longer recognized as operating expenses in Adjusted EBITDA due to the implementation of IFRS 16, the new lease accounting standard adopted in the prior year.
The Company recognized negative cash flows in the second quarter due to the temporary suspension of operations. In the second quarter, the Company had negative of $123.4 million, which was consisted of Adjusted EBITDA of $31.8 million, as previously discussed, less changes in non-cash working capital of $22.2 million, capital expenditures of $98.6 million, substantially all of which was in Ontario, payment of lease liabilities of $20.9 million, and interest paid of $13.5 million. The Company funded the negative Free Cash Flow of $123.4 million by borrowing an additional $60.7 million on its credit facilities for capital expenditures in Ontario and the remainder from available cash balances.
The Company had cash outflow of $383.7 million for the second quarter. Prior to the end of the first quarter of 2020, the Company drew $325.0 million on the revolving portion of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities to ensure it had sufficient liquidity available, which was repaid in full during the second quarter of 2020. Other cash outflows for the second quarter included payments to satisfy working capital obligations, payment of lease liabilities and capital expenditures, as discussed above.
Shareholders’ net loss from continuing operations was $31.4 million in the second quarter due to the above mentioned facility closures, which had a negative impact on revenues.
SOURCE Great Canadian Gaming Corporation
Canada
CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars

CasinoCanada, the number one gambling guide for players in Canada, is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Ocean Spin a brand under the umbrella of LaLa Stars.
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Canada
Blueprint Gaming partners with Rush Street Interactive to further expand Ontario reach via BetRivers platform

Blueprint Gaming, the leading UK slots developer and member of the Merkur Group, has doubled down on its Canadian footprint following a partnership with industry leading online casino and sports betting company, Rush Street Interactive, in Ontario.
The agreement will see a host of Blueprintâs top performing games made available to a new wave of slot enthusiasts, including its Megaways⢠offering featuring Napoleon Megaways⢠and Majestic Fury Megawaysâ˘, as well as the companyâs renowned branded library offering the likes of Rick and Mortyâ˘: Strike Back and The Lost Boysâ˘.
Founded in 2012, RSI has become a market leader in online casinos and sportsbooks across the Americas and is set to have its expansive portfolio of slots elevated by Blueprintâs engaging titles featuring sought after mechanics.
The agreement underlines Blueprintâs ever-expanding global footprint and aligns with its strategic roadmap for Canada where its games continue to resonate with players across the country.
Samuel Haggblom, Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint Gaming, said: âThe popularity of Blueprint slots continues to grow across Canada and the Americas, and so we are delighted to go live with an industry renowned operator in the region.
âThis exciting deal pays further testament to how our games can resonate with players in multiple markets worldwide and we look forward to seeing the response from BetRivers players.â
Richard Schwartz, CEO for Rush Street Interactive, said: âBlueprint Gaming boasts a growing collection of exciting titles, and we are thrilled to be working with them to bring these games to our BetRivers players in Ontario.
âWe are happy to partner with Blueprint Gaming and look forward to watching this collaboration flourish.â
Canada
Nearly half of Ontarian viewers wagering on Super Bowl LIX

The latest sports betting survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) shows the majority of Ontarians plan to watch Super Bowl LIX (63 per cent) and almost half of viewers will place a wager on the big game (48 per cent).
Over a third of Ontario adults have initiated a bet after seeing a gambling advertisement online or on TV (35 per cent); more so among populations at-risk for problem gambling, including those under age 44 (42 per cent) and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals (44 per cent).
Two thirds believe their sports knowledge gives them an edge in predicting outcomes (67 per cent), particularly men and those aged 18-44 (70 per cent). While knowledge and skill does inform a bet, it doesn’t guarantee a win. The misconception that one can accurately predict an outcome can lead to over confidence that their knowledge will give them an advantage and ultimately, a win. This is known as the illusion of control. This false belief paired with persuasive gambling advertising can increase risk, influencing some to bet more than they can afford to lose. More than a third report doing so in the past 12 months (36 per cent).
Key survey highlights
How Ontarians plan to bet:
- 50 per cent will bet online with a sportsbook website
- 30 per cent will bet with family and friends
- 27 per cent will buy sport-based lottery tickets
- 20 per cent will bet in a pool
How much they plan to wager:
- 55 per cent say they will bet $100Â or less
- 19 per cent will bet between $101 and $500
- 8 per cent plan to wager more than $500
Number of bets theyâll make:
- 55 per cent will bet a single time on the outcome of the game
- 25 per cent will bet multiple times throughout the game using one sportsbook website
- 15 per cent will bet using several sportsbook websites
âGambling is random but your plan shouldnât be,â says Sarah McCarthy, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. âPerceived knowledge of the game, persuasive advertising, and substance use can all influence how we gamble. A smart plan includes being mindful of the illusion of control and remembering that even with sports expertise, understanding the game, players or stats wonât boost your chances of predicting a random outcome.â
RGC tips for safer sports betting
- Be mindful of the illusion of control. Remember that even with sports expertise a win is not guaranteed and understanding the game, players or stats wonât boost your chances of predicting a random outcome
- Be aware that time spent, and knowledge gained wonât help you âbeat the oddsâ
- Plan before you play â pre-set betting limits and stay within your budget
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose â never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent/mortgage or food
- Never chase losses by trying to win back what youâve lost
- Limit your alcohol, cannabis, and/or other substance intake
- Donât bet if you are upset or stressed
- View sports betting as entertainment, not a way to make money
Detailed survey insights
Half of those who will wager on the Super Bowl say their main reason to bet is to win money (48 per cent), followed by adding to the excitement of the game (47 per cent). About a fifth bet because they believe they are knowledgeable about the teams and players (22 per cent), they feel confident about their chances of winning (20 per cent), or because their favourite team or player is playing (18 per cent). One in ten bets in a mistaken attempt to make up for last yearâs losses (10 per cent).
Over half of those who will bet on the big game will place their bets while consuming substances, which are associated with the additional risks of impaired judgement and decision-making (52 per cent). The majority plan to consume alcohol while betting (86 per cent).
While men and women are similarly likely to watch the Super Bowl, men are slightly more likely to place a wager (49 vs 45 per cent). Age and ethnicity also play significant roles. Ontario sports bettors aged 45+ are more likely to bet on the big game (52 per cent) than those aged 18-44 (45 per cent). White individuals are significantly more likely to bet on Super Bowl LIX (54 per cent) compared to BIPOC Ontarians (42 per cent).
Staying onside
Of those planning to bet on the Super Bowl, the most common strategies to manage their gambling risk remain the same as last year: deciding on a pre-set betting limit (37 per cent), betting to have fun and not to make money (31 per cent), and not betting more to recoup losses (25 per cent).
A quarter of all respondents say they always or often feel anger or frustration at losing a bet (25 per cent), while a third sometimes do (36 per cent). This increases when placing bets while using substances. A third report their gambling has caused them to experience health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety (36 per cent) over the last 12 months, and that they might have a problem with gambling (36 per cent). These rates are highest among BIPOC Ontarians and those aged 18-34.
As a result, more Super Bowl betters are now paying attention to mood and state of mind when they gamble. Encouragingly, a quarter will avoid betting when feeling emotionally distressed (25 per cent) and a fifth will refrain from betting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (21 per cent).
To help keep online gambling safer, all regulated sportsbook websites have responsible gambling features. Of those who plan to use online sportsbooks to bet during the Super Bowl, a quarter read online information about the odds of winning and how certain games work (25 per cent) or use money limit-setting tools (23 per cent). A fifth use personalized spending reports or take a cooling off period (20 per cent). Notably, a third donât plan on using any features to help them manage their betting (33 per cent).
Methodology
An online survey of 1,147 Ontario residents aged 18+ was completed between November 22 – December 6, 2024, using Legerâs online panel. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.9%, 19 times out of 20.
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