Canada
IGT.BET’s Recent Rebrand and Launch of BLITZPOOLS is an Overwhelming Success
Interactive Games Technologies Inc – is pleased to announce the rebrand and launch of its recently acquired skill-based fantasy gaming product, BLITZPOOLS, is exceeding expectations. With a soft launch March 1st and official launch March 8th BLITZPOOLS is already over 150,000 new registrations and expects to close the month with over 250,000 new players. It is clear the industry leading product and brand positioning is resonating with the Indian fantasy gaming audience.
The launch of BLITZPOOLS, already one of India’s fastest-growing skill-based fantasy sports platforms, included the signing of cricket stars Ishan Kishan, Rahul Chahar, Shreyas Gopal and Wriddhiman Saha as ambassadors. IGT.BET and BLITZPOOLS could not be happier with the impact these professionals have already made and are excited for what the future holds. The engagement and activation of each star’s respective fan base has been exceptional. Planning for further and increased player interaction is already underway.
The launch of BLITZPOOLS also included the engagement of several celebrities and influencers in India including but not limited to Sunny Leone, Urvashi Rautela, Natasia Stankovic and Mouni Roy. With a total audience in excess of 215 million, these partnerships have been a huge success. The business has seen its pools with partners fill up in record time, a testament to the market appetite to play in pools with aspirational personalities combined with the opportunity to win industry leading cash and prizes for the most skilled fantasy gamers.
Appointment of Director
The Company is pleased to announce that Brendan Purdy has been appointed as a director of the Company.
Mr. Purdy is a practicing securities lawyer focused on the resource, life sciences, and technology sectors. In his private practice, he has developed extensive experience with respect to public companies, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and other transactions fundamental to the Canadian junior equity markets. Prior to receiving his J.D. from the University of Ottawa, Mr. Purdy completed a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies degree from the University of Western Ontario, majoring in finance and administration. Mr. Purdy was previously CEO of Enforcer Gold Corp. and High Hampton Holdings Corp., and has served as director of several private and public companies. Mr. Purdy is currently serving on the board of DGTL Holdings Inc., a digital media technology incubator.
Adopts Restricted Share Unit Plan
In order to further align the interests of the Company’s senior executives, key employees, consultants and directors with those of the shareholders of the Company, the Board of Directors has approved the implementation of a restricted share unit plan (the “RSU Plan“). Under the RSU Plan, eligible persons may (at the discretion of the Board) be allocated a number of RSUs as the Board deems appropriate, with vesting provisions also to be determined by the Board, subject to a maximum vesting term of three (3) years from the end of the calendar year in which RSUs were granted. Upon vesting, eligible participants shall be entitled to a cash payment equal to the number of RSUs granted, multiplied by the fair market value of the Company’s common shares on the redemption date. The Company shall also have the option (at the discretion of the Board) to settle amounts owing to eligible persons via the issuance of common shares of the Company.
The maximum number of RSUs issuable under the RSU Plan is fixed at 16,648,627 (being 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares as of today’s date), provided however that at no time may the number of RSUs issuable under the RSU Plan, together with the number of common shares issuable under options that are outstanding under the Company’s Stock Option Plan, exceed 20% of the issued and outstanding common shares as at the date of a grant under the RSU Plan or the Stock Option Plan, as the case may be.
Further details regarding the RSU Plan and all awards made thereunder will be set out in the management information circular and proxy statement of the Company that will be delivered to shareholders in respect of the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders. A copy of the RSU Plan will also be available under the Company’s corporate profile at www.sedar.com.
RSU Grants
The Company has granted an aggregate of 2,818,500 RSUs to the Company’s senior executives, key employees, consultants and directors of the Company. All of the RSUs (and any common shares issuable upon redemption) will be subject to applicable securities law hold periods.
BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.
Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.
To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.
The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.
Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.
“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”
Canada
AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).
Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.
A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
QUOTE
“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:
- 1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
- 2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.
Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:
| a) | On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15. |
| b) | On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”. |
| c) | On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”. |
BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.
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