Canada
LuckyCasino makes Ontario debut
LuckyCasino, the flagship gaming brand owned and operated by Glitnor Group, has entered the Ontario market in a new expansion that will not only introduce the Lucky Casino brand to Canadian customers for the first time, but also create further strategic opportunities going forward.
After solidifying its position as one of the premier casino operators in the highly regulated Swedish market, the forthcoming Ontario launch is poised to be a monumental step forward. The anticipation surrounding this entry into Ontario has been substantial, considering the extensive wait for this strategic move.
With the Ontario online gaming market having opened approximately 20 months ago, the province has acted as one of Canada’s main trailblazers when it comes to providing a framework for legal gambling in the country and will likely serve as the blueprint that other regulators attempt to follow in the future.
Since the first Ontario licenses were distributed, the province has seen a massive uptick in legal online gambling among its 15.6 million residents, with many of the customers who were previously active at offshore casino sites now conducting their betting only at operators approved by the regulator instead.
In light of this, LuckyCasino’s Canadian debut is certainly a timely one that will allow the business to capitalise on this increased appetite among Ontario citizens to play at government-approved sites while enabling it to make a big impact on the market via its unique range of content and offers as well.
The move is also perfectly aligned with Glitnor Group’s over-arching strategy to have its B2C and B2B brands present in as many regulated markets as possible, making it another major milestone for the business that will increase both its global outreach and commercial prospects over the coming months.
David Schwieler, Head of Brands and Business, said: “As a collective, Glitnor is always looking for new ways to expand our business by entering new regulated markets worldwide – and the Ontario launch of LuckyCasino will certainly create a number of exciting strategic opportunities for us going forward. “Not only will LuckyCasino be able to build on the phenomenal success and recognition that it’s already achieved in Sweden, but having the brand available in Ontario will soon allow us to distribute titles from our leading B2B brand, Swintt, within the market. As such, the expansion will open new possibilities for our company in future and we’re sure players are going to love what we have to offer.”
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.
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