Canada
Zynga Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Mobile Game Developer StarLark, Team Behind the Hit Franchise, Golf Rival
Zynga Inc., a global leader in interactive entertainment, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire StarLark, developer of the fast-growing and second-largest mobile golf game in the world, Golf Rival, from Betta Games for $525 million in cash and stock. This acquisition brings to Zynga a talented development team with the proven ability to create a global hit and additional projects in early development. StarLark also expands Zynga’s international presence by establishing a China-based studio with access to the region’s creative talent base.
In Golf Rival, players of all skill levels compete in real-time player-versus-player matches, including multiplayer tournaments on spectacular courses with customizable equipment. The game has rapidly grown to become the second-largest mobile golf game in the world with six million downloads in 2021 alone.
“With the acquisition of Golf Rival, Zynga becomes home to a talented team with the proven ability to create a global hit, while expanding Zynga’s international footprint with a new studio in China,” said Frank Gibeau, Chief Executive Officer of Zynga. “Golf Rival has rapidly ascended to become the second-largest mobile golf game in the world, with six million downloads in 2021 alone. Together, Zynga and StarLark are well-positioned to grow Golf Rival faster together with additional new projects in early development.”
“I’m very proud of the StarLark team for making Golf Rival, a worldwide hit and we are thrilled to join Zynga to further accelerate the game’s incredible growth trajectory as a forever franchise,” said Henry You, Founder and General Manager of StarLark. “This partnership will provide Zynga with greater accessibility to China’s deep talent pool, while also giving StarLark access to Zynga’s global resources and expertise.”
Zynga will acquire the StarLark development studio and Golf Rival franchise for approximately $525 million, comprising approximately $315 million of cash and approximately $210 million of Zynga common stock (issued at the average closing price per share over the thirty-day trading period ended August 02, 2021). The final closing consideration will also include customary closing adjustments and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Zynga was advised by White & Case and Fangda Law. Aream & Co. acted as the exclusive financial advisor and Orrick served as legal advisor to Betta Games in this transaction.
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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.
Alberta
Why Alberta Represents the Next Major Growth Opportunity for Gaming Operators
Alberta’s iGaming market launch is right around the corner, going live on July 13 with 43 operators already approved, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and PointsBet.
Media Troopers is also set to enter the market alongside eight of our premium clients, with the mission to help operators capitalize on one of North America’s most anticipated markets through a suite of marketing tools designed to promote brand growth in the new region.
The Build Up to Canada’s Next Regulated Market
Alberta’s regulated iGaming market took shape with the introduction of Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, in March 2025.
Championed by Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally, the legislation aimed to bring online gambling into a regulated framework, addressing concerns that around 70% of the province’s online gaming revenue was flowing through unregulated operators.
The bill passed in May 2025, establishing the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee the market, with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission retaining regulatory responsibilities.
In my opinion, Alberta represents one of Canada’s most attractive growth opportunities for operators. The province is home to more than 4.8 million people, including 1.6 million adults aged 25-44, its largest demographic group.
With research published last year by Pew Research showing that sports betting participation is highest among younger adults, Alberta’s population profile aligns closely with key betting audiences, creating strong potential for customer acquisition and long-term market growth for operators.
Ontario’s Regulated Market as the Blueprint
Alberta isn’t the only province to have a regulated market. Ontario’s market, which went live in 2022, has ultimately become the benchmark for Alberta’s upcoming launch.
In its fourth year of operation, the province’s iGaming regulator, iGaming Ontario (iGO), recorded $4.2 billion in gaming revenue and a further $103 billion in wagers. The province is home to 44 licensed operators and 78 gaming platforms. A recent Ipsos study cited by iGO found that the market effectively encourages residents to gamble responsibly, with 91.1% of respondents preferring regulated platforms.
Speaking at the Toronto SBC Summit in May, Nally actually referenced using Ontario as a reference for Alberta, commending the safeguards it had in place to protect consumers from unregulated gambling.
That being said, Ontario’s success demonstrates the growth potential of a well-regulated market and provides a proven blueprint for Alberta’s expansion, with operators sure to capitalize on that new demand.
How Alberta Differs from Ontario
Operators entering Alberta need to know it won’t be the same as Ontario. Despite Nally expressing that Ontario was essentially a model for their own regulated market, it will come with some tweaks, or in Dally’s words, it will have its own “Alberta perspective.”
Most notable is Alberta’s revenue-sharing model that allows operators to retain 80% of generated revenue. On top of that, a further 3% contribution will be directed toward public priorities, with 2% allocated to First Nations and 1% supporting responsible gambling initiatives, including self-exclusion programs.
This framework looks to reflect Alberta’s commitment to balancing social responsibility with commercial opportunity. By ensuring that First Nations can benefit from market growth while maintaining consumer protections, the province aims to create a strong regulatory environment.
That same environment, I think, aligns closely with Media Troopers’ values, helping operators expand into new markets while supporting responsible, long-term industry growth.
How Operators Can Scale Alberta to Reach New Levels of Growth
Operators are sure to succeed and find growth from day one in Alberta’s upcoming market by leveraging Media Troopers’ proven customer-acquisition expertise. With a strong track record across multiple global markets, including close to home in Ontario, we are sure to help operators build brand awareness and retain players while navigating the new environment with confidence.
Like always, Localization is key in new markets. At Media Troopers, we can supply the tools needed to generate performance-driven campaigns that help operators really connect with their new audience and adapt to Alberta’s distinct regulatory environment.
That said, Alberta is not just another Ontario; it is a market with its own audience, culture, and expectations. I believe that operators who embrace those differences will be best positioned to achieve sustainable, long-term growth in North America’s newest market.
Written by Shmulik Segal, CEO and Co-Founder of Media Troopers.
The post Why Alberta Represents the Next Major Growth Opportunity for Gaming Operators appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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