Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire the casino business and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino (Hastings) in the City of Vancouver from Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (Great Canadian Entertainment).

“We are thrilled to take another important step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory, and we are eager to work with the senior management team at Great Canadian Entertainment to finalize due diligence and execute a definitive agreement, as well as working with the City of Vancouver to ensure the best long-term use of this important asset within the City. We believe that this opportunity is historic for us in many ways, and we look forward to entering the gaming industry in due course,” said Jen Thomas, Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

“We are excited about working with TWN on their potential acquisition of the casino operations and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino. Recognizing that Hastings is part of the TWN’s traditional territory, we can think of no better entity to inherit this asset, and we look forward to supporting them in the transition after the anticipated close of the sale,” Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment.

The agreement is subject to further due diligence, finalization of financial terms and the execution of a definitive purchase and sale agreement. Once a definitive agreement has been executed by the parties, it is anticipated that the transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by gaming regulatory and other authorities, including certain approvals by the City of Vancouver given its ownership of the real property. It is expected that Great Canadian Entertainment will provide transition services to TWN for a period of time following the anticipated closing.

Scientific Games, the world’s largest lottery games company, is bolstering its digital leadership team with the appointment of two seasoned executives, underscoring its continued investment in its globally expanding digital business.

Keshav Pitani joins Scientific Games as Senior Vice President, Digital Games, bringing extensive experience in content, product development and innovation. He previously served for seven years as Senior Director of Product Development for Bally Technologies until its acquisition by Scientific Games Corporation in 2014.

Laura Higgins has been named Vice President, Customer Success & Strategy for the Company’s global digital team. She brings more than 20 years of experience in e-commerce, general management, strategy, product, marketing and finance from leading companies such as Procter & Gamble, Shutterfly, Albertsons and Gartner.

“Our Digital team is experiencing strong momentum and we’re building an adaptable organization with a clear focus on the future. We are thrilled to welcome top-tier digital experts like Keshav Pitani and Laura Higgins. Their addition to our team reflects our continued investment in innovation, which is key to long-term sustainability for our lottery customers worldwide through consumer-centric digital programs,” said Matt Lynch, President, Digital for Scientific Games.

Pitani will lead Scientific Games’ digital games and SG Content Hub strategy, leveraging his expertise across digital game studios and partnerships to drive innovation and growth. A proven leader in managing creative and technology teams, Pitani has a strong background in developing game studios, delivering omnichannel content and designing scalable platforms. His prior accomplishments include playing a critical product strategy role in Scientific Games Corporation’s 2022 launch of Light & Wonder and the company’s successful entry into the US and Canadian video lottery markets. Pitani has successfully launched creative digital and retail product verticals, designed a real-time AI product for high-speed casino play activity, and developed the satellite communication sub-system used in Boeing 737s and 747s.

Higgins spent most of her career identifying new growth opportunities in the consumer product goods, digital and ecommerce sectors, building and running new businesses. She has a proven track record of unlocking growth and loyalty through a deep understanding of customers and marketplaces. At Procter & Gamble, Higgins led the launch of several new consumer products as a Brand Director within Home Care. As General Manager of Category Expansion at Shutterfly, she drove new category development. Most recently, as Vice President of Shopper Engagement Platforms at Albertsons, she led a team that launched highly successful digital programs integrating retail consumer experiences and leveraging AI-powered assistant innovations.

Kiron Interactive’s Head of Marketing, Patrick Eriksen, on why the future of sports betting isn’t long-form odds and live matches. It’s short-form, always-on, instant-return gameplay.

Short-form content has changed everything. We no longer wait for results, we scroll, we swipe, we move on.

Yet, most sports betting still takes 90 minutes to settle.

Most sportsbooks still rely on long-form bets, match winners, final scores, total points, with outcomes that take an hour or more to resolve.

That may suit traditional punters, but for modern players it’s increasingly out of step.

Virtual sports flip the script. Matches play out fast, bets settle in minutes, and the action never stops. They offer the sports betting equivalent of short-form video.

Operators who have added virtuals are already seeing the benefit. They’re gaining faster engagement, a wider player base, and stronger retention. For those who haven’t, the opportunity remains wide open.

Fast by design. Ready for now.

Today’s audiences are used to fast-moving, always-available entertainment. Whether it’s videos, games or live streams, the expectation is instant access and quick outcomes. Virtuals deliver both.

Players engaging with virtuals tend to prefer faster outcomes and simpler formats. Many are looking for quick resolutions and low-friction experiences. They don’t want to sit through a full match. Virtual matches last just a few minutes, with a wide range of betting markets to explore.

Advertisement

And it’s not only about speed. Simplicity matters too. There’s no fixture list to follow, no downtime between games, and no dependence on real-world scheduling. Players can place a bet, get a result, and move on. All of this takes less than five minutes.

That’s why virtuals align so well with how players consume content today.

Short sessions. Easy returns. Ongoing engagement.

Unlike traditional sports, virtuals aren’t restricted by time zones, calendars, or matchday delays. They run 24/7, all year round.

We regularly see player activity climb when real events are off the board, whether that’s during the off-season or on a quiet weekday afternoon.

Because matches are short and always available, virtuals invite casual, repeat engagement. Players dip in for a quick play, try new markets, and often come back for more.

This leads to higher bet frequency and longer session times. It gives players more reasons to stay and explore. And in today’s landscape, where acquisition costs are rising, that kind of stickiness is key.

Like short-form media, virtuals offer fast, familiar loops that players can jump into anytime. They’re fast, easy to understand, and satisfying to return to. That’s how today’s audiences engage with content across the board. And that’s why this format feels familiar to digital-first players.

The next wave of virtuals

In regions where virtuals are already well established, we’re seeing a new phase of innovation.

This includes live-style virtuals with in-play markets, branded leagues with recognisable identities, and hybrid formats that combine sports with game mechanics.

At Kiron, we’re building visually rich, quick-play virtual formats that reflect how audiences already consume mobile and interactive content.They give operators a new way to deliver something fresh and distinctive. And in a category where standing out matters, that’s a big advantage.

Advertisement

A proven way to meet the moment

As always, the best results come when content is engaging, responsible, and designed with the player experience in mind. Virtuals aren’t throwaway content. They’re a core pillar of the modern sportsbook experience.

They work alongside live sport by keeping the lobby active when real matches aren’t taking place. They’re easy to access, simple to understand, and always available.

Virtuals aren’t just catching up with the way people play. They’re meeting it head-on.