Canada
Responsible Gambling Council Applauds $9 million Government investment in Online Gambling Prevention Education to Promote Responsible Play in Ontario
Last week, during the Responsible Gambling Council’s (RGC) annual Discovery Conference, the Ontario Government announced a historic investment of $9 million in funding through the Responsible Internet Gambling Fund (RIGF).
This three-year investment into the RIGF is a monumental moment for RGC and a clear demonstration of Ontario’s leadership in online gambling safety and consumer protection. This increased funding will allow RGC to further enhance its consumer education campaigns, expand community outreach programming, and build partnerships with local community groups to deliver its message to more Ontarians.
“Ontario has long been a champion for responsible gambling and this investment into prevention education and programming and today’s announcement is a game-changer,” said Shelley White, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. “This clearly demonstrates Ontario is the Canadian leader in promoting responsible play, minimizing harm and creating a strong, sustainable online gambling market,” she added.
The RIGF will help ensure a holistic consumer education and prevention strategy is in place and that information and resources are available to better support all those at risk of experiencing harm through gambling.
“We applaud and thank the Ontario government for this welcome and historic investment into responsible play,” concluded White. “We know online gambling comes with unique risks and this funding will have a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of so many Ontarians by providing them with the resources and programming to help keep them safe and build a culture of responsible play in this new environment.”
Canada
Aviatrix enters North America for first time with Ontario launch
Award-winning crash game Aviatrix is now live in North America for the very first time, after securing a licence and certification in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Aviatrix has been granted a Gaming-Related Supplier (B2B) Licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), meaning Ontario-licensed operators can now offer the game.
It’s the first time players in North America will be able to enjoy Aviatrix, marking another major milestone in the remarkable two-year journey of the game.
Aviatrix was helped through the AGCO licensing and certification process by BetComply.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “We committed to expanding Aviatrix’s regulated footprint, and this is another huge step. We’re already present in many markets across Europe, so it is fantastic to add a province in Canada to the list. We are sure that players in Ontario are going to find Aviatrix every bit as enjoyable as their counterparts elsewhere.”
Aviatrix has added multiple new regulated markets over the past few weeks, including Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands.
It was also recently named ‘Game of the Year’ at the EGR Operator Awards 2024.
Canada
Gift Responsibly: Lottery Tickets Aren’t Child’s Play
While sharing gifts with family and friends is a wonderful tradition during the holiday season, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) reminds parents and adults that all lottery products, including INSTANT tickets, are a form of gambling and are not suitable gifts for children and minors.
While lottery products make great gift ideas for a variety of special occasions, these products are for adults only. It’s vital that parents and adults understand the proven risks and impacts associated with underage gambling. If you decide to buy lottery gifts for friends and family, please ensure the recipients are at least 18 years of age and older.
There is extensive free information and various resources available dealing with youth and gambling:
The YMCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) is a free service funded by Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to raise awareness among youth of gambling risks, how to make informed decisions, and healthy, active lifestyles.
The Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use (GGTU) program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) supports addictions and mental health service providers through continuing professional development, digital tools and resources, and facilitating knowledge mobilization activities related to problem gambling, video gaming, and internet addiction.
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), an independent non-profit organization focused on the prevention of problem gambling in Canada and worldwide, with information on Teens or Young Adults and gambling.
Also, OLG’s award winning PlaySmart.ca program can help parents understand the facts when it comes to games, and concepts like odds and randomness. There’s also a “Finding Help” section with links to the support resources above and more.
OLG has supported the Holiday Campaign from the National Council of Problem Gambling and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) for many years, which encourages lotteries in Canada, US, and around the world to promote the important message that lottery products are not suitable for children at any time.
Canada
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Plans to Open a Gaming Facility in Benzonia
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians plans to open a gaming facility in Benzonia.
“The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians wishes to share with the public the exciting news that the tribe will open a new gaming facility on its trust land in Benzie County. The facility will create much-needed new employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth for the tribe and for the local community,” reads an undated press release on the tribe’s website.
The gaming facility will be located at the tribe’s community center at 7282 Hoadley Road, in Benzonia, according to the release.
At the Nov. 26 Benzie County Board of Commissioners, John Petoskey spoke to commissioners about the gaming facility on behalf of the tribe.
Petoskey said he had been in contact with county officials about the gaming facility.
“What the tribe would like to do is to open a gaming facility on Hoadly Road just down the street from the Wesco gas station,” Petoskey said.
He said the tribe submitted a notice of notification to the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Office of Indian Gaming in the summer of 2023.
“In the view of the tribe, this site is eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act under what’s know as restored land exception to the categorical prohibition of gaming after 1988. That was basically the same argument the tribe used for Turtle Creek and was successful in that case,” Petoskey said.
He said state officials also have been notified of the tribe’s intent.
Petoskey said federal officials had 120 days to review the notice and object.
“At this point, they have not raised objections, so our internal gaming commission at the Grand Traverse Band issued a gaming license on Nov. 21,” he said.
He said after the license was issued, the tribe reached out to Benzie County officials so that they would know what was going on at tribal land and could answer questions from the public.
The tribal center will be renovated to accommodate gaming The tribe also has a housing development on the property.
Petoskey said the facility will feature slot machines and table games.
Work on the renovation has already started, including electrical and architectural work.
Expanded parking may be constructed if “demand is sufficient” Petoskey said.
He also said the gaming facility would create between 20 and 50 jobs.
-
Compliance Updates1 day ago
Golden Matrix Group Subsidiary Meridianbet Enters Final Phase of Brazil Licensing
-
Canada5 days ago
Bojoko.ca Celebrates Record-breaking Month in October 2024
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Superbet Becomes the First Regulated Bookmaker in Brazil
-
Latest News5 days ago
Chris Kelley Joins Hard Rock International as President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Scheduled to Open Late 2025
-
Latest News6 days ago
GeoLocs Partners with Superbet for Launch in Brazil’s Newly Regulated Online Gaming Market
-
Latest News6 days ago
Alex Dixon Resigns as President, CEO of Q Casino
-
Latest News2 days ago
21VIRAL Strengthens Senior Sales Team in Latin America
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
BGaming awarded Peru supplier licence