Canada
PLAYMAKER ACQUIRES GAMING PRODUCT TWO-UP
Playmaker Capital Inc., the digital sports media company that lives at the intersection of sports, betting, media and technology, has broadened its range of core competencies with the acquisition of leading digital product agency Two-Up Agency Ltd. (“Two-Up”). Two-Up provides technical solutions to the online gaming industry’s biggest brands, bringing best-in-class technology tools and in-depth knowledge and expertise of the market to clients including News International, BetGenius, William Hill, AtTheRaces, SkyBet, and Sporting Solutions.
Two-Up was founded in 2016 by gaming technology expert Robbie Morris who now joins the Playmaker leadership team. Playmaker’s acquisition of Two-Up will add a team of 24 experienced sales and technology experts spread across two primary offices in London, UK and Krakow, Poland. This team includes 15 engineers with deep experience in the development of regulated betting products, monetization tools, free-to-play games, and APIs into major real money gaming operators.
Two-Up owns an unrivalled collective expertise of the complex market within which the business operates. Among the specialist skills Two-Up provides its clients are contextual ad widgets, including integrated betslips with conversion and tracking management; the creation, production and integration of scoreboard and data visualizations; product development, including native content, through sports, casino, bingo and esports; and free-to-play application builder services, all supported through a series of back-end engines and content management systems.
Within the Playmaker ecosystem, Two-Up’s core technology products will be integrated into Playmaker’s newly announced proprietary technology stack, Playmaker Bench. Playmaker Bench features a collection of best-in-class technology tools, integrated into a proprietary software platform that is designed to enhance user engagement and supercharge monetization. Two-Up’s myriad of products and areas of technical expertise will offer immediate value add to Playmaker Bench.
“Playmaker is a natural fit for Two-Up. We complement the existing strengths within Playmaker well, and, as part of the Playmaker Bench technology suite, we will enhance Playmaker’s monetization efforts across owned and operated properties,” commented Robbie Morris, Founder and CEO of Two-Up. “We’re excited and delighted to become a part of the Playmaker family. This opportunity will allow us to strengthen our core competencies, meaning existing and future clients will continue to benefit from what we set out to deliver in 2016, which is a first-class service.”
“I am pleased to welcome Two-Up into the Playmaker family, and am excited about how Robbie and his team will help bolster Playmaker’s technology offering,” added Jordan Gnat, Playmaker Founder and CEO. “Two-Up has deep relevance, credibility and unrivalled connections within the online gaming world globally. With this acquisition, we have added yet more value to our shareholders, and taken another step towards achieving our mission of building an ecosystem of assets that will provide sports fans and our clients with outsized value.”
TRANSACTION DETAILS
Pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement dated August 31, 2021, Playmaker acquired 100% of Two-Up for aggregate consideration of up to US$5.75 million. The purchase price consideration consisted of a payment of US$750,000 in cash, the issuance of US$2.5 million of Playmaker common shares (the “Playmaker Shares”) at the Canadian dollar equivalent of CAD$0.60 per Playmaker Share and up to a maximum of US$2.5 million in the form of an earn-out, payable to the sellers upon Two-Up achieving certain EBITDA and revenue targets over the three-year period following closing. In addition, the sellers are eligible to receive a bonus earn-out in the event the EBITDA and revenue targets are exceeded.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has selected Caesars Entertainment as the Service Provider in the Windsor Casino procurement process. This is the final procurement process in the OLG’s land-based gaming modernization initiative.
Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled to be selected as the service provider for the Windsor Casino by the OLG. Caesars has a long history of managing Windsor and looks forward to continuing to deliver exceptional guest service and experiences at the property.”
Caesars and its predecessor companies have partnered with the OLG to operate Caesars Windsor (fka. Casino Windsor) since the opening of the temporary facility in 1994. Caesars will assume responsibility for gaming and non-gaming operations of the Windsor casino on behalf of the OLG under a 20-year operating agreement, which is expected to begin in 2026.
OLG requires an 18-month restriction on any organizational changes consistent with other gaming bundle modernizations in Ontario. Unionized employees will continue to be governed by the terms of their collective agreement.
Canada
AGCO issues penalties of $151,000 against Great Canadian Entertainment for alleged age verification failures
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued $151,000 in penalties to Great Canadian Entertainment for allegedly failing to prevent minors from accessing gambling on multiple occasions at three Toronto-area casinos.
As part of its investigation, the AGCO reviewed four separate incidents in which minors allegedly gained access to the casino floors and in which some of these minors participated in gambling activities – two cases at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, and one at each of Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort.
The AGCO is committed to ensuring casinos meet Ontario’s high standards of harm reduction and responsible gambling. The AGCO’s Standards require operators to ensure only eligible individuals are permitted into a gambling site and strictly prohibit access to anyone under 19 years of age (except in the course of employment). The Standards also mandate that casino employees have the necessary competence, skills, experience and training to effectively carry out their duties, including age verification.
This enforcement action underscores the AGCO’s dedication to protecting youth and other vulnerable individuals.
A casino operator served with an Order of Monetary Penalty by the AGCO Registrar has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Ontario casino operators have an obligation to ensure minors are not able to access casino floors or activities such as slot machines or table games. The AGCO will continue to monitor and hold all casino operators accountable for fulfilling this important role.” – Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO.
ToonieBet, Soft2Bet’s flagship online casino and sportsbook for Ontario, has officially launched its sportsbook on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The platform is tailored specifically for local players, offering a dynamic betting experience with a broad range of sports events and competitive odds. The platform also features personalised promotions and loyalty rewards designed to match the preferences of Ontario’s diverse betting community.
The sportsbook uses official data feeds, ensuring players have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information on top local and international sports events. Additionally, the platform offers live broadcasting with real-time match analytics, allowing users to make informed betting decisions as events unfold. Integrated with MEGA and advanced player account management features, the operator is committed to delivering a seamless and responsible gaming environment that enhances the overall player experience while supporting local sports initiatives.
As part of this launch, the platform has also introduced a Sportsbook section on its official website, expanding its portfolio and bringing more choice to its growing customer base. With access to over 85,000 live events each month and more than 70,000 pre-match events across a wide range of sports, players now have even more ways to bet on what they love. Soft2Bet’s Canadian brand invites all players to explore its standout online casino and the full spectrum of sports betting, all delivered through a fast, secure, and fully localised platform.
Since its debut at the end of 2024, ToonieBet has offered a fast, fair, and secure online casino and sportsbook experience, fully localised for Ontario’s vibrant gaming market. The Apple App and Google Play additions further enhance accessibility, bringing ToonieBet’s premium entertainment to players on the go.
Additionally, this milestone complements the operator’s recent partnership with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, which made ToonieBet the Official Online Casino Partner of the team. The partnership includes in-arena branding, digital promotions, and fan engagement initiatives like social contests, allowing ToonieBet to connect with Ontario sports fans in exciting ways and offering chances to win team merchandise and tickets.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Soft2Bet’s Chief Product Officer, said: “As Soft2Bet continues our rapid growth, we are excited to provide Ontario players with access to ToonieBet’s sportsbook which is now available on the Apple App and Google Play Store, offering seamless access to a customised experience tailored for the province’s passionate gaming community.”
-
Latest News6 days agoCasino Guru enriches its portfolio with a dedicated sweepstakes casino database and updated safety index
-
Latest News6 days agoLuckBet Named Master Sponsor of LFA 209, Marking MMA History in Mato Grosso
-
Latest News6 days ago7K Named Official Betting Sponsor of Paulistão Feminino 2025
-
Latest News6 days agoDefy the Odds and EDGE Markets Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation in Betting and Gaming Payments
-
Latest News5 days agoDesign Works Gaming and Bluberi Gaming Announce Monumental Partnership
-
Canada5 days agoToonieBet Launches its Sportsbook on Apple App Store and Google Play Store
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoColombia’s Coljuegos Intensifies its Efforts to Block Illegal Gambling Websites
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoPeru Reports 40% Drop in Illegal Online Gambling