Canada
World’s leading betting integrity body touches down in North America – FanDuel and DraftKings endorse IBIA’s launch
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) today announced that it is launching its integrity monitoring service in the US and Canada. The launch is being endorsed by leading US operators FanDuel and DraftKings, and the integrity body has already secured licenses in a number of US states – Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Wyoming – with others pending.
The North American market is the fastest growing and most dynamic in the world and is expected to reach $96bn in handle in 2022, and with wagers on this week’s Super Bowl projected to top $7bn for the first time with almost a third through the US regulated sector as compared to 6% in 2019, according to H2 Gambling Capital. IBIA’s world-leading betting integrity monitoring system will play a major role in ensuring the integrity of the North American market, which is essential to maintaining the continued growth of the industry.
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “IBIA is delighted to announce that we are touching down in the North American market. With the largest customer transaction-based betting integrity monitoring system in the world, we will play a crucial role in protecting and supporting the growth of the betting industry in the US and Canada.”
Ali continued: “IBIA is run by sportsbooks for sportsbooks, and our mission is to provide the best and broadest protective coverage of the market. With the accelerated growth of regulation, existing IBIA members have encouraged the association to extend its global betting integrity coverage to North America, which we are delighted to do.”
IBIA’s monitoring and alert platform is a highly effective anti-corruption tool that detects and reports suspicious activity on its members’ betting markets. It allows IBIA to protect its members and the betting market from corruption through collective action.
“Flutter Entertainment have a long successful working relationship with IBIA’s global integrity monitoring system via our existing agreements through international brands and are proud of the collective improvements in the space,” said John Sheeran, Director of Risk and Trading, FanDuel Group. “Expanding an excellent working relationship to include integrity monitoring of North American sports and wagering will add another element of trust and security to our sports betting product, which we know is of the utmost importance to our consumers.”
“Protecting the integrity of sport while creating an engaging product for sports fans is at the heart of everything we do,” said Roy Pollitt, DraftKings’ Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs. “We are impressed with the progress IBIA has made in promoting high standards for the betting industry and we warmly welcome their arrival to North America.”
With the support of FanDuel and DraftKings, IBIA is already protecting over 60% of the regulated US online market from betting corruption. The launch is the beginning of a process to secure a license in states that require operators to be part of a monitoring body and to engage with gambling regulators more generally across the US. The association has also applied to the Canadian province of Ontario, which similarly requires operators to be part of an integrity monitoring system.
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has announced further expansion of its Canadian operations via a partnership with leading operator PointsBet in the province of Ontario.
The Swedish-founded gaming giant’s games will now be available to PointsBet players in the Canadian province, meaning classic titles such as Book of Dead, Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness, and Reactoonz will now be available on the PointsBet platform.
The province of Ontario regulated online casino gaming in 2022, which saw Play’n GO enter the Canadian market for the first time. The company expanded into the province of Quebec earlier this year, and, as of June 2024, is also a proud member of the Canadian Gaming Association.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, commented, “Back in 2022, I said that “North America is right at the top of Play’n GO’s priority list, and Ontario is just the first step we plan to take”. This partnership with PointsBet shows we have yet to take our foot off the gas. We’ve proudly watched our games become instant hits in our two and a half years in the Ontarian region, and we have no plans to slow down any time soon.
“It’s exciting to team up with a fellow Canadian Gaming Association member in PointsBet, and we can confidently say that we are working towards the same goal of a safe, regulated industry that is focused on player entertainment. We’re looking forward to working closely together following this milestone announcement.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, shared “Play’n GO has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality game content, and we’re thrilled to bring their titles to our platform. At PointsBet, our focus is on providing a safe and engaging entertainment experience for our players, and it’s clear that Play’n GO aligns with those values. Canadian casino enthusiasts recognize PointsBet as a trusted leader in iGaming, and this collaboration further enhances the exceptional experience we offer.”
Canada
VICI Properties Inc. Enters into Agreement with Indigenous Gaming Partners Related to PURE Canadian Gaming
VICI Properties Inc. announced that it has entered into an amendment and consented to the assignment of the master lease agreement with PURE Canadian Gaming Corp. (PURE) to an affiliate of Indigenous Gaming Partners Inc. (IGP), in connection with the acquisition of the operating assets of PURE by an affiliate of IGP.
IGP is a partnership of five institutional First Nations established to acquire gaming assets in North America. IGP has partnered with Sonco Gaming, one of Canada’s most experienced casino developers and managers, who will assist in the sourcing and execution of casino gaming investments, as well as management oversight of IGP’s portfolio.
Danny Valoy, Vice President of Business Development and Acquisitions, said: “This transaction demonstrates VICI’s ability to collaboratively work with existing partners while building new relationships with highly experienced operators and First Nations in international jurisdictions. We are pleased to welcome IGP as a new partner, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with IGP and Sonco as they pursue additional growth opportunities in the future.”
Anthony Novac, CEO of Sonco, said: “We are excited to work with VICI, an established partner in providing financial solutions to the gaming industry. We believe having a partner like VICI will give us a competitive advantage as we seek growth opportunities in the Canadian market.”
In connection with entering into the amendment to the PURE Canadian master lease, VICI received a 5-year right of first offer (ROFO) on future sale-leaseback transactions. Any additional properties acquired pursuant to the ROFO will be added to the master lease.
The annual base rent of C$22.0 million (US$15.5 million based on the CAD:USD exchange rate as of December 9, 2024) and other economic terms of the PURE Canadian master lease will remain unchanged, including a base term of 25-years with four 5-year tenant renewal options, escalation of 1.25% per annum in lease year 3, with escalation equal to the greater of 1.5% and Canadian CPI (capped at 2.5%) starting in lease year 4, and a minimum capital expenditure requirement equal to 1.0% of annual net revenue. The lease, currently in lease year 2 and escalating on February 1 of each year, encompasses the following assets in Alberta, Canada: PURE Casino Edmonton, PURE Casino Yellowhead, PURE Casino Calgary and PURE Casino Lethbridge.
-
Affiliate Industry7 days agoAGS Announces Expiration of Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Waiting Period for Acquisition by Affiliates of Brightstar Capital Partners
-
Latest News7 days agoJCM Global Installs New Outdoor LED Marquee Signage at Bucky’s Casino and Yavapai Casino
-
Canada7 days agoVICI Properties Inc. Enters into Agreement with Indigenous Gaming Partners Related to PURE Canadian Gaming
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoFlorida Gaming Control Commission Collaborates with Local Law Enforcement Partners to Address Illegal Gambling Activity and Shut Down Illegal Casinos
-
Latest News6 days agoLucky Eagle Casino & Hotel Installs QCI’s Enterprise Platform
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoEGT Digital obtained a licence to operate in the regulated market in Peru
-
Canada6 days agoPlay’n GO announces partnership with Canadian operator PointsBet
-
awards3 days agoYaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Named #1 Best Overall Casino Outside of Las Vegas and #1 Best Native American Casino in 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards