Canada
“There are almost too many exciting markets to choose from!”: Exclusive interview with R Franco on the latest developments in LatAm.

As the winter season draws to a close in Latin America, we sat down with Ruben Loeches, CMO at R Franco Digital to talk through the continent’s latest developments and its COVID comeback. With such a fast-growing collection of markets, there’s certainly plenty of opportunity to be had …
Aside from Brazil, in your view, what are LatAm’s most exciting markets nearing regulation?
LatAm is such a dynamic developing region there are almost too many exciting markets to choose from! Panama, Puerto Rico, and Argentina are countries we’ve been keeping a close eye on when it comes to future regulation – with the continent’s rapid tech adoption offering a boon of potential for iGaming.
Do you believe this year’s events are likely to speed up expected online regulation?
The unprecedented situation in which the market has found itself has highlighted that expediting online regulation is now a necessity, and I believe regulators are coming around to that frame of mind.
Across the world there has been a noticeable shift of players moving online, because ultimately, gambling is entertainment and players still want to play. This forward-thinking approach can be seen in Colombia, where live casino, bingo and scratchcards were all regulated in record time during lockdown – and we really commend such a pro-active move from ColJuegos.
From your experience – what should companies looking to enter the continent avoid doing?
The key to entering any market is to do your research and never underestimate the importance of joining forces with a local partner. Complacency and the entering the LatAm market with a “one size fits all” notion is a sure-fire route to failure. What may have proved successful in some markets is by no means a barometer of how to engage with new ones.
Localisation is key to building a presence in LatAm, and in a market so diverse, it’s important to understand that each and every region is a separate entity and should be treated as such.
From your marketing expertise, what are the keys to Latin American success when it comes to entering new markets?
Adapting to the latest developments in technology is always a crucial determinant of success. In a market such as Colombia’s, where bettors have become accustomed to the land-based sector, it is critical to provide an omni-channel offering.
Any company entering a new market should understand that having a well-researched and bespoke approach is the key element to success. LatAm is a melting pot of diverse countries inside of which many have their own idiosyncrasies. Take a look at Paraguay’s list of recognised languages if you’d like to have a hint!
Accordingly, there are a raft of cultural, governmental and regulatory aspects to take into consideration which can vastly differ, not just from country to country, but even from state to state.
Do Latin American players have different preferences to their counterparts elsewhere? If so, how?
Many LatAm players have an affinity for slots and are used to RTPs being lower given the inherent higher margins in retail. We’ve also noticed the popularity of in-play sports betting as technology becomes more advanced. Of course, they also have their own sports, such as beach football in Brazil, but the layers are now branching out from their preferred games and trying new verticals since the postponement of many live events due to lockdown.
How has the shift changed between land-based and online players, given the region’s strong land-based heritage?
The pandemic has certainly sped up online adoption with players finding new ways to bet. Though with the heritage and affinity many land-based and retail fans have, they will likely return once the situation becomes safe to do so.
While some players are now enjoying the new online experience, innovation is not exclusive to the online sector, and there are plenty of land-based suppliers eagerly awaiting the vertical’s return ready to incorporate what they have learned during the lockdown period. Ultimately, I believe the pandemic will see an increase in players who enjoy betting both in-person and online – and in the long term, I think that will be of benefit to the sector as a whole.
What online games are proving to be the biggest pull for land-based players to try online?
The reality of the pandemic has shown that companies must seek out creative opportunities to entertain their land-based fans and many have introduced new betting products. Live dealer games have been hugely successful as they deliver that interaction many land-based fans still miss. While COVID-19 affected many changes, I believe the sector will grow in all areas including retail and in physical outlets.
And last but not least, what’s your advice to retail operators there currently looking to weather the pandemic? How can R Franco help LatAm operators?
My advice is very simple. They must take the necessary steps to provide their customers with an online offering. For operators looking to do so in the LatAm markets, on-boarding a partner with regional expertise and experience is a must.
It’s an unavoidable reality that digital betting is not a substitute for getting in on the action in-person. Most retail operators have a deep and extensive knowledge of their own sector. The online environment, however, is a different animal altogether, and they would be well advised to find a partner who can help take them on that journey.
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Canada
Golden Nugget Online Casino Debuts in Ontario

Golden Nugget Online Gaming has officially entered the Canada online casino market with its launch in Ontario.
Backed by DraftKings technology, the brand is now offering players a feature-rich mobile and desktop gaming platform. This move also marks the first time the Golden Nugget brand has expanded outside the US.
The casino debuted with more than 2000 slot titles, alongside blackjack, roulette, and craps. The platform is available on iOS and Android, ensuring accessibility across devices.
With its debut in “The Heartland Province,” Ontario becomes the fifth region where Golden Nugget operates, joining Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Matt Kalish, President of DraftKings North America, noted that this development is a welcome opportunity for the brand to provide top-quality online casino gaming for players in a burgeoning iGaming market.
Kalish added: “Golden Nugget is one of the most iconic brands in gaming, and we are thrilled to be live in Ontario with its robust mobile casino offering. The Golden Nugget Online Gaming casino app offers hundreds of popular casino games, exclusive content, smooth navigation, premium support, and a dynamic loyalty program – all backed by DraftKings’ cutting-edge technology.”
Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is already crowded. iGaming Ontario reports that the province hosts 50 licensed operators and 87 active gaming websites. Importantly, online casinos account for 88% of cash wagers. In June alone, the vertical produced CA$243 million in net gaming revenue from CA$7.26 billion in total wagers.
Golden Nugget aims to stand out with both classic and exclusive content. Players can access land-based favorites like Huff N’ More Puff, Cleopatra, and Hypernova Megaways. Exclusive DraftKings titles such as Rocket, Dollar Up, and Quakey Shakey also enhance the library. Many jackpot titles even exceed $1 million.
The post Golden Nugget Online Casino Debuts in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGLC
Casino ATM Scam in Edmonton Reveals Money Laundering and Drug Links

Law enforcement in Alberta continues to search for the last suspect in a sophisticated fraud operation that targeted ATMs in Edmonton-area casinos and resulted in over CAD 1 million ($720,487) in losses throughout Western Canada.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has confirmed that Hisham Ismaeel, 28, remains at large with a province-wide warrant for his arrest. He faces charges of fraud exceeding $5000 and possessing proceeds of crime. Police have already arrested four other men linked to the scheme. Investigators describe the operation as a well-planned effort to exploit financial systems and clean dirty money.
The accused, Elliot Miao, 42, Van Bau Ta, 39, Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad, 37, and Dennis Jones, 42, showed up in the Alberta Court of Justice last week. They face charges from fraud and money laundering to owning criminal property. Miao also has a narcotics trafficking charge after police found cocaine when they searched with warrants.
Investigators claim the group made coordinated withdrawals at several casino ATMs, timing their transactions to avoid getting caught. This action messed up ATM networks in the area and showed flaws in the systems that banks and casinos use to stop misuse.
The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region led an investigation that involved six search warrants in Edmonton. The Edmonton Police Service, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), and several banks supported this effort. Officials said the case shows how teamwork between public agencies and the private sector plays a key role in combating modern financial crime.
AGLC representatives pointed out that casino operators in the province must follow strict reporting and surveillance rules under Canada’s anti-money laundering laws. The specific casinos affected remain unnamed, but the Edmonton region has seven licensed facilities. AGLC said its policies helped spot problems and backed the RCMP’s investigation.
Compliance experts say this fraud shows how criminals change their methods to take advantage of weak spots in reporting limits and transaction checks. They claim that casinos, which deal with lots of cash, are still easy targets unless they keep improving their detection systems and teach their front-line workers to notice coordinated actions like several big withdrawals happening one after another.
For now, the case highlights both the money and crime aspects of casino-related fraud. Besides the million-dollar losses, finding drugs during the raids points to a bigger criminal operation where financial crimes and drug dealing overlap.
The post Casino ATM Scam in Edmonton Reveals Money Laundering and Drug Links appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Bragg Gaming
Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems

Bragg Gaming Group, a leading online gaming technology provider, has confirmed a major cybersecurity incident that compromised its internal IT infrastructure in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The company detected unauthorized intrusion attempts that successfully breached its internal network, triggering an immediate and comprehensive incident response.
Key Takeaways
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Bragg Gaming Group experienced a cybersecurity breach involving access to internal IT systems.
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No customer personal data or payment information appears to have been compromised.
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The company has enacted full containment and investigation protocols.
Details of the Breach
According to a preliminary forensic analysis by Bragg’s internal security team, the attack was a targeted breach aimed at the company’s internal computer environment. While the exact method of intrusion is still under investigation, early indicators suggest a sophisticated exploit of internal network vulnerabilities.
Fortunately, the company’s customer-facing systems, including sensitive user data and financial information, appear to have been unaffected. Bragg’s existing encryption protocols and access control systems successfully prevented the attackers from accessing customer information.
Immediate Response Measures
In response to the breach, Bragg launched a multi-tiered containment strategy, including:
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Network Segmentation to isolate affected systems
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Enhanced Monitoring of data flows across its Remote Games Server (RGS) platform
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Security Audits of critical infrastructure, including the Bragg Hub and PAM systems
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Engagement of Independent Cybersecurity Experts to assist in incident analysis and system hardening
Bragg’s Security Operations Center has also elevated its alert level, initiating 24/7 monitoring across all server clusters and network endpoints. In addition, company-wide penetration testing is now underway to proactively identify any residual vulnerabilities.
Business Continuity Maintained
Despite the severity of the breach, Bragg reports that its operations remain unaffected. All gaming services, including iCasino and sportsbook offerings across regulated markets, continue to function without disruption.
“While this incident is deeply concerning, we are confident in the rapid and thorough response initiated by our team,” a company spokesperson stated. “We remain committed to protecting our infrastructure, our partners, and most importantly, our players.”
Looking Ahead
As part of its response, Bragg has also launched mandatory security awareness training for all employees to reinforce best practices and prevent future incidents.
Cybersecurity analysts will continue working with Bragg to determine the full scope of the attack, improve system resilience, and maintain the trust of its users and stakeholders.
Bragg’s handling of the incident highlights both the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the importance of robust, responsive defense systems in the digital gaming sector.
Source: cybersecuritynews.com
The post Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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