Canada
Cutting-Edge Display Technology Makes eSports an Arena-Worthy Event
Contribution by Aaron Addison, the in-house gaming expert for LG Business Solutions USA, a leading provider of advanced display technologies to the eSports industry.
Over the last decade eSports has blossomed from a cottage industry into a global phenomenon that attracts tens of millions of viewers and has encouraged major corporate sponsorships of events, competitors and teams. So far, most of the infrastructure used to host eSports tournaments and recreational events has relied on ad-hoc, temporary installations at existing arenas, concert venues and convention halls.
Displays Offer Up-Close Action
The exploding popularity of eSports competitions and competitors is evidenced by Twitch accounts that rival the largest social media stars in terms of engagement and viewing time. The massive viewership and potential for advertising and sales programs, not to mention local investments and cultural pride, are now attracting the attention of colleges and cities in the same way that traditional sports arenas and entertainment venues do.
Nearly all massive public events today, from concerts to sports to dance clubs, employ digital screens to help large crowds get closer to the action and create excitement. For eSports, large digital screens are actually required for in-person viewing, since guests sit far from competitors and therefore cannot see what is happening on their monitors as they play. Utilizing the latest display technologies including DVLED (direct-view light-emitting diode), LCD video walls and the inclusion of many smaller displays throughout a facility, event organizers, developers and building designers are beginning to focus on how to maximize engagement and entertainment value at live eSports events.
Developers See Big Business in eSports
It’s clear that large displays and systems underscore the importance of the electrical and technological infrastructure needed to create eSports arenas. Many developers are interested in arenas that can offer VR game experiences that combine professional-level events with consumer-level play and invite all guests to act as both player and fan.
Meanwhile, competitors are even more reliant on bleeding-edge display technology, requiring gaming monitors with small latency, fast refresh speeds and accurate color and contrast capabilities to compete at the highest level. Essentially, an event or space that does not use the absolute top-of-the-line visual experience for players and patrons will have difficulty providing a professional level of competition or player experience.
Physical Attendance Beats At-Home Viewing
Twitch streamers and competition leagues such as the Ultimate Gaming Championship continue to increase the popularity of eSports viewing. Even if at-home fans are watching through VR systems, they cannot get the same experience as attending a safe and secure live event with hundreds or thousands of eager, like-minded fans. Existing stadiums have so far provided satisfactory infrastructure and accommodations, such as a Fortnite championship held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City, the world’s largest tennis stadium.
As competition leagues and their viewerships grow, more purpose-built arenas may become desirable for cities and municipalities to attract events and economic activity. As these spaces can be designed to act as large, full-time interactive ‘arcades’, they may prove to be even more profitable and popular than traditional stadia which still only offer spectating alone, not participation.
The trend of eSports and video gaming popularity in general have followed an upward trajectory since their introduction in the 1970s and show no sign of slowing. Through thoughtful integration of cutting-edge digital displays on both a macro- and micro-scale, the future of large public eSports leagues and competitions may soon rival the fervor and economics of traditional sporting events and stadia.
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BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.
Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.
To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.
The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.
Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.
“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”
The post BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).
Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.
A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
QUOTE
“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:
- 1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
- 2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.
Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:
| a) | On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15. |
| b) | On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”. |
| c) | On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”. |
The post AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.
The post BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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