Canada
Streaming ahead in the battle for brand supremacy
Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins, says US operators are changing tack in how they market to players and that streaming presents a big opportunity to acquire customers at scale for a strong ROI
Operators have spent big to maximise the first-mover advantage on the table in the US states that have legalised online sports betting and casino for the first time. This has seen many become locked in a fierce battle with their rival brands over market share – a battle they have, in some instances, been keen to win at all costs.
Everyone is aware of the significant TAM and opportunity of the North American market and this in turn has led them to buy their way to the largest slice of the pie. For some with deep pockets, this has absolutely been the right approach to take as there’s a significant advantage to be gained from being among the first brands to be associated with the new horizon of OSB and iGaming in the mind of the consumers trying to navigate the space.
This is because it allows the operator to capture the early interest in legal sports betting and casino when the market opens up and to present their brand as being the best play to sign up and wager at.
But this is an expensive game to play and requires very deep pockets indeed. In past months, we have seen a shift in investor sentiment with many starting to question whether the open chequebook approach will ultimately pay off. Brand building takes time, but investors need to see a path to profitability and right now the path ahead appears to be a little bumpy.
This has seen operators rethink their marketing strategies and reel in the free-spending approach they have relied on to date. Brand awareness and customer acquisition can also be achieved in many medium-sized pushes, by spending smart and not necessarily spending big. Channels such as streaming have the potential to turbo-charge acquisition and retention and deliver the ROI operators are looking for.
Until now, operators have remained cautious when it comes to streaming – especially following Twitch’s decision last year to ban certain operators from using its platform. But this is where Livespins comes in. Because it sits within the casino lobby, operators have full control and players are afforded the same responsible gambling tools required under their state licence as when accessing the sportsbook or casino.
This means that operators can tap into the huge and growing demand for streaming among a wide and varied consumer base while being confident, they are doing so compliantly at all times.
Streaming is highly effective at allowing operators to engage the lucrative but hard-to-reach Millennial and Generation Z demographics, and to introduce them to their brands and the entertainment experiences they offer for the first time. These really are hard-to-reach consumers, with many already engaged with other entertainment options like video streaming, mobile gaming and social media.
Just as important, streaming products such as Livespins can be used to retain players and also unlock more value from existing marketing partnerships operators have in place.
Livespins allows players to bet behind their favourite streamer, meaning they are directly involved in the action playing out across the reels. Of course, streamers can also be brand ambassadors, allowing operators to deploy celebrities and influencers within the Livespins experience. This means that players can join their favourite celebrities during the stream and bet with them.
Not only that, but they can chat with them and the other players throughout the broadcast while also dropping reactions and emojis. This changes brand ambassador marketing from passive to active and allows operators to monetise directly and instantly through the bet behinds being placed. It can also be a great way for land based operators to utilise their on-property talent inside their online offering and hence strengthening their omnichannel strategy.
There is another potential upside for operators, especially mid-level brands that might not have the budgets to work with household name sports stars and celebrities. So long as they have a very clear understanding of their target audience, micro-influencers and streamers can be onboarded as brand ambassadors with an attractive ROI generated from day one.
The marketing winds are now blowing in a different direction, and it will be interesting to see the channels operators turn to for acquisition and retention. Streaming can move the needle in both areas while allowing operators to stand out from their rivals by proving player experiences that are unique to their brand. And this ultimately makes it a must-have in an operator’s marketing mix.
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Alex Cuoci
Wealthsimple and Kalshi Partner to Bring Prediction Markets to Canada
Wealthsimple announced the release of Wealthsimple Predict, providing retail investors the ability to trade event contracts on Kalshi. The standalone application is scheduled to launch this summer. Through the app, users will have access to approximately 4000 Kalshi event-based contracts in categories Wealthsimple is authorized to offer in the Canadian market, specifically climate, financial markets, and economic indicators.
“Prediction markets are the fastest-growing segment of global financial markets, letting traders turn an opinion into a position on the factors that shape our world – where inflation is headed, what happens to rates, or how the year unfolds. Until now, Canadians have had limited access. Wealthsimple Predict gives Canadians a clean, well-designed way to access these markets, with education and guardrails built in from day one,” said Brett Huneycutt, co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Wealthsimple.
“Kalshi was founded on a simple belief: views on the future should have markets, and those markets should be available to everyone. That’s why we’re partnering with Wealthsimple, Canada’s leading financial innovator – to give everyday investors in Canada access to fair, secure, and regulated prediction markets,” said Alex Cuoci, Kalshi.
In March, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) authorized Wealthsimple to offer event and forecast contract trading, also known as prediction markets. These contracts are regulated as futures contracts (derivatives). The approval covers contracts with a 30-day settlement period or longer, within the categories of economic indicators, financial markets, and climate. Wealthsimple is the second investment dealer to receive regulatory approval from CIRO for prediction markets.
To access trading through Wealthsimple Predict, new clients must complete a standard Know Your Client (KYC) process. Education is built into every stage of the experience, including a guided orientation of a client’s first trade. The app also shows users key disclosures and definitions, including trading risk reminders, contract resolution information, notices that positions can be sold at any time, and liquidity risk warnings on lower-activity markets. Wealthsimple Predict will only be available to Canadian residents.
Kalshi is authorized to operate in the US as an event contracts exchange, with federal authority from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the regulatory authority for the U.S. derivatives market. Prediction markets follow the same regulatory framework applied to other financial assets traded in the US, such as equities, bonds, and traditional derivatives, with clear rules for price formation, settlement, and governance.
The post Wealthsimple and Kalshi Partner to Bring Prediction Markets to Canada appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alberta
MediaTroopers lines up eight operator partners ahead of Alberta launch
MediaTroopers said it is preparing to launch in Alberta’s regulated gaming market on July 13, as Canada’s next regulated commercial gaming market opens.
The digital marketing and customer acquisition firm said it plans to enter Alberta alongside eight “premium operator” clients, which it said are also preparing for their own market entries. MediaTroopers did not name the operators.
The company said its Alberta offering will mirror its work in Ontario, including localized acquisition strategies, compliance-focused marketing, regional player education, and market-tailored performance campaigns.
MediaTroopers also said it has seen “strong interest” from Alberta players through pre-registration activity, without providing figures.
“Alberta represents an exciting next step for regulated iGaming in Canada, and Media Troopers is ready to support operators from day one,” said Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers. “Our experience in Ontario has given us a strong understanding of what it takes to enter a new Canadian market successfully, from compliance and localization to scalable player acquisition. With eight of our premium clients already preparing for launch and early pre-registration traction underway, we see Alberta as a market with tremendous potential.”
The post MediaTroopers lines up eight operator partners ahead of Alberta launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Canada
MediaTroopers Makes Preparations for Upcoming Alberta Launch with Eight Premium Operator Partners
MediaTroopers, the leading digital marketing and customer acquisition firm, has announced that preparations are underway for its upcoming launch in Alberta’s regulated gaming market, scheduled to go live on July 13. As part of those preparations, MediaTroopers will enter the province with eight of its premium operator clients, who are already preparing for their own entries.
With the launch of Canada’s second regulated commercial gaming market, Alberta has quickly become one of the most anticipated market opportunities for operators looking to expand. MediaTroopers has already cemented itself as a reliable partner in Ontario’s regulated market, supporting operators in one of North America’s most competitive markets, and it will bring that same expertise as it enters Alberta.
Much like Ontario, MediaTroopers will continue to support operators in Alberta with localized acquisition strategies, compliance-focused marketing, regional player education, and market-tailored performance-driven campaigns.
MediaTroopers has already seen strong interest from Alberta players through pre-registration activity. With eight of its premium clients also preparing to go live, the company expects to play a pivotal role in helping other licensed operators to build up brand visibility and recognition among players in the region from day one.
With its launch in Alberta, MediaTroopers remains committed to supporting sustainable, responsible, and compliant growth across Canada’s regulated market.
“Alberta represents an exciting next step for regulated iGaming in Canada, and Media Troopers is ready to support operators from day one,” said Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers. “Our experience in Ontario has given us a strong understanding of what it takes to enter a new Canadian market successfully, from compliance and localization to scalable player acquisition. With eight of our premium clients already preparing for launch and early pre-registration traction underway, we see Alberta as a market with tremendous potential.”
The post MediaTroopers Makes Preparations for Upcoming Alberta Launch with Eight Premium Operator Partners appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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