Canada
Fraudsters in Canada Shift Focus to Travel and Leisure
As the prevalence of digital fraud attempts on businesses and consumers continues to rise, TransUnion’s newest quarterly analysis found that fraudsters are re-focusing their efforts from financial services to the travel and leisure and gaming industries.
Across industries, the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts1 rose 16.5% globally when comparing Q2 2021 to Q2 2020. In Canada, the percentage of digital fraud attempts increased at a much higher rate of 44.9% during the same time period. Gaming and travel and leisure were the two most impacted industries globally for the suspected digital fraud attempt rate, rising 393.0% and 155.9% in the last year, respectively. In Canada, this rate rose 209.8% for gaming and 216.1% for travel and leisure.
TransUnion monitors digital fraud attempts reported by businesses in varied industries such as gambling, gaming, financial services, healthcare, insurance, retail and travel and leisure, among others. The conclusions are based on intelligence from billions of transactions and more than 40,000 websites and apps contained in its flagship identity proofing, risk-based authentication and fraud analytics solution suite – TransUnion TruValidate
“It is quite common for fraudsters to shift their focus every few months from one industry to another,” said Anne-Marie Kelly, head of Market Development, Identity Management and Fraud Solutions at TransUnion. “Fraudsters tend to seek out industries that may be seeing an immense growth in transactions. This quarter, as countries began to open up more from their COVID-19 lockdowns and travel and other leisure activities became more mainstream, fraudsters clearly made this industry a top target. The immense growth in gaming fraud also can likely be attributed to the shifts in focus of fraudsters as this growing market becomes a larger target.”
An example of the shift in focus of fraudsters can be seen in financial services. Global financial services suspected online fraud attempt rates had risen 149% when comparing the first four months of 2021 and the last four months of 2020. But when comparing Q2 2021 and Q2 2020, the rate of suspected online financial services fraud attempts have still risen, but at a much lower rate of 18.8% globally and 29.7% in Canada.
Global Industry Year-over-Year Suspected Digital Fraud Attempt Rate Increases and Declines in Q2 2021
| Industry | Suspected Fraud Percentage Change |
Top Type of Fraud | |
| Largest Percentage Increases | |||
| Gaming | 393.0% | Gold Farming | |
| Travel & Leisure | 155.9% | Credit Card Fraud | |
| Gambling | 36.2% | Policy/License Agreement Violations | |
| Largest Percentage Declines | |||
| Logistics | -49.2% | Shipping Fraud | |
| Telecommunications | -30.8% | True Identity Theft | |
| Insurance | -16.7% | Suspected Ghost Broker | |
Industry Year-over-Year Suspected Digital Fraud Attempt Rate Increases and Declines in Q2 2021 Coming from Canada
| Industry | Suspected Fraud Percentage Change |
Top Type of Fraud | |
| Largest Percentage Increases | |||
| Travel & Leisure | 216.1% | Credit Card Fraud | |
| Gaming | 209.8% | Gold Farming | |
| Retail | 139.4% | Inappropriate Content | |
| Logistics | 90.3% | Shipping Fraud | |
| Largest Percentage Declines | |||
| Telecommunications | -97.2% | True Identity Theft | |
| Gambling | -39.8% | Policy/License Agreement Violations | |
| Communities (Online dating, forums, etc.) |
-22.2% | Profile Misrepresentation | |
More than one-third of consumers continue to be targeted by COVID-19 related digital fraud
As online fraud attempts against businesses continue to escalate, one in three consumers stated that they have been targeted by a digital fraud scheme related to COVID-19 during the second quarter of 2021. TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse study in June 2021 found that approximately 36% of global survey respondents said they were targeted by fraudsters in COVID-19 related digital schemes. The same percentage of respondents (36%) in Canada also said they were targeted.
Phishing is the top type of COVID-19 related digital fraud impacting global consumers in Q2 2021. Phishing is a cybercrime that uses methods like email, text messages and websites to steal personal information, which criminals use to commit identity and financial crimes. Among global consumers who say they were targeted with COVID-19-related digital fraud, 33% state they have been targeted by or fallen victim to such fraud. Stolen credit card or fraudulent charges was the second most cited type of COVID-19 related online fraud among those targeted, affecting global consumers at 24%. In Canada, phishing was number one at 41% followed by stolen credit card or fraudulent charges at 25%.
“More than one in three Canadians surveyed have been targeted by or fallen victim to digital fraud during the pandemic, placing even more pressure on businesses to ensure their customers are confident in transacting with them,” said Kelly. “As fraudsters continue to target consumers, it’s incumbent on businesses to do all that they can to ensure their customers have an appropriate level of security to trust their transaction is safe all while having a friction-right experience to avoid shopping cart abandonment.”
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23 Broadway
23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform
23 Broadway has secured $3 million in Seed funding to accelerate the next phase of its growth and launch a fully integrated AI-powered user acquisition financing platform.
The funding round was co-led by Betty and Will Ventures, with participation from 359 Capital, CEAS Investments, and Dave Bartman.
23 Broadway was integral in catapulting Betty to an 18% market share in Ontario through its world-class performance marketing team and proprietary AI system called Atlas.
Atlas determines the optimal cost of acquiring a customer and their predicted long-term value.
With this new funding, 23 Broadway will add non-dilutive capital to fund user acquisition to run alongside its existing performance marketing and technology capabilities into a single integrated solution.
Jordan Tuch, CEO of 23 Broadway, said: “23 Broadway is reimagining user acquisition financing by not only providing capital but deploying it through proprietary technology and performance marketing expertise. We’ve created a model that empowers businesses to scale faster without needing to build complex technology or marketing infrastructure themselves. The ability to use AI and execute bids based on a customer’s predicted lifetime value means we can deploy capital far more efficiently. That combination of predictive intelligence and funding creates a powerful growth engine for our partners.”
The underlying thesis is that platforms combining in-house technology and performance marketing expertise can offer a truly differentiated and durable user acquisition financing solution.
Growth-stage businesses benefit from access to dedicated capital for customer acquisition without equity dilution, while also being able to implement advanced marketing execution across platforms such as Google Ads and other major advertising ecosystems.
Funding will be allocated to develop Atlas further and enhance 23 Broadway’s predictive modelling capabilities. Another focus will be building new AI-driven models to help gaming companies strengthen retention marketing strategies. A final part will be to onboard additional partners seeking scalable user acquisition financing solutions.
The post 23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
23 Broadway
23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform
23 Broadway has raised $3 million in Seed funding to drive the next phase of its growth and launch a fully integrated, AI-powered user acquisition financing platform.
The funding round was co-led by Betty and Will Ventures, with participation from 359 Capital, CEAS Investments, and Dave Bartman.
The company played a key role in helping Betty achieve an 18% market share in Ontario, leveraging its world-class performance marketing team and proprietary AI system, Atlas. Atlas predicts the optimal cost to acquire a customer and estimates their long-term value, allowing marketing spend to be deployed with precision.
With this new capital, 23 Broadway will integrate non-dilutive financing with its existing performance marketing and technology capabilities, offering a single, streamlined solution for user acquisition.
Jordan Tuch, CEO of 23 Broadway, said: “23 Broadway is reimagining user acquisition financing by not only providing capital but deploying it through proprietary technology and performance marketing expertise. We’ve created a model that empowers businesses to scale faster without needing to build complex technology or marketing infrastructure themselves. The ability to use AI and execute bids based on a customer’s predicted lifetime value means we can deploy capital far more efficiently. That combination of predictive intelligence and funding creates a powerful growth engine for our partners.”
The company’s strategy centers on combining in-house technology with performance marketing expertise to deliver a differentiated, durable user acquisition financing solution. Growth-stage businesses gain access to dedicated capital for customer acquisition without giving up equity, while also benefiting from advanced marketing execution across major advertising platforms like Google Ads.
The funding will support further development of Atlas and enhance 23 Broadway’s predictive modeling capabilities. Additional priorities include creating new AI-driven tools to strengthen retention marketing for gaming companies and onboarding more partners seeking scalable user acquisition financing solutions.
The post 23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AiGC
Soft2Bet Eyes Alberta iGaming Market Expansion in Canada
Soft2Bet, a global provider of turnkey iGaming solutions, has announced plans to pursue entry into the regulated gaming market in Alberta as part of its broader strategy to expand its footprint across Canada.
The company confirmed that its entry will depend on regulatory approval once the province finalizes its evolving legal framework for online gaming. The move reflects Soft2Bet’s growing commitment to the Canadian market and its strategy to scale operations across newly regulated territories in North America.
A Strategic Move Toward Alberta’s Emerging iGaming Market
As one of Canada’s most economically robust provinces, Alberta has quickly become a focal point for iGaming operators and technology providers preparing for potential market liberalization.
Industry forecasts indicate that Alberta’s regulated online gaming sector could become one of the country’s most lucrative regional markets. Estimates from analysts at Citizens JMP Securities suggest that the province’s iGaming industry could generate over $700 million in annual revenue once the market reaches maturity.
Soft2Bet’s early evaluation of the market demonstrates the company’s proactive approach to identifying high-growth opportunities in newly regulated jurisdictions.
Monitoring the iGaming Alberta Act
Soft2Bet is closely observing developments surrounding the proposed regulatory framework established under the iGaming Alberta Act. The legislation outlines the structure for Alberta’s regulated online gaming industry and establishes oversight responsibilities for provincial authorities.
Under the proposed system, the Alberta iGaming Corporation would oversee the province’s online gaming ecosystem, while regulatory enforcement would remain with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis.
Soft2Bet has indicated that it is preparing to meet Alberta’s anticipated compliance and technical standards, ensuring its platform technology aligns with the province’s regulatory expectations.
Building on Canadian Experience
Soft2Bet’s potential expansion into Alberta builds upon its experience operating in Ontario, where the company already offers localized gaming services through its consumer-facing brand ToonieBet.
The Ontario market has become one of North America’s most successful regulated online gaming jurisdictions since its launch in 2022, attracting numerous international operators and platform providers.
By leveraging insights from its Ontario operations, Soft2Bet aims to deliver tailored gaming experiences for players in Alberta while maintaining full compliance with regional regulations.
Localization as a Key Strategy
Localization remains a central pillar of Soft2Bet’s international growth strategy. The company emphasizes adapting its platforms and gaming products to match the cultural preferences, language requirements, and regulatory expectations of each market in which it operates.
Soft2Bet plans to apply this hyper-localized approach in Alberta by ensuring that its gaming offerings reflect the specific needs and preferences of Canadian players.
This includes customized content, localized branding, and user experiences that resonate with regional audiences.
Commitment to Innovation and Player Experience
According to company leadership, innovation remains a driving force behind Soft2Bet’s expansion strategy.
David Yatom Hay, General Counsel at Soft2Bet, highlighted the company’s commitment to delivering engaging gaming experiences that align with local player expectations.
The company continues to invest in platform technology and product development to create dynamic gaming environments that combine entertainment, compliance, and user-friendly design.
Expanding Across Regulated Markets
Soft2Bet’s interest in Alberta is part of a broader roadmap for 2026, which includes entering additional regulated markets around the world.
As governments increasingly adopt regulated frameworks for online gaming, technology providers like Soft2Bet are focusing on scalable solutions that allow them to quickly adapt to different regulatory environments.
Turnkey platforms, which include player management systems, gaming content, and compliance tools, have become essential for operators looking to enter new markets efficiently.
Canada’s Growing iGaming Landscape
Canada has rapidly become one of the most promising regions for online gaming growth in North America. The success of Ontario’s regulated market has encouraged other provinces to explore similar frameworks.
If Alberta successfully launches a competitive iGaming market, it could further strengthen Canada’s position as a key hub for regulated online gaming innovation.
Operators, developers, and platform providers are closely monitoring the regulatory process, positioning themselves for entry once licensing becomes available.
Looking Ahead
For Soft2Bet, Alberta represents a strategic opportunity to expand its presence in Canada while reinforcing its reputation as a global iGaming platform provider.
By preparing early for regulatory approval and leveraging its experience in Ontario, the company aims to deliver localized gaming experiences that meet the expectations of Canadian players and regulators alike.
As Alberta moves closer to establishing its regulated online gaming framework, Soft2Bet’s planned market entry signals the growing interest from international technology providers seeking to participate in Canada’s evolving digital gaming ecosystem.
The post Soft2Bet Eyes Alberta iGaming Market Expansion in Canada appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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