Canada
MID-SEASON GAME UPDATE ARRIVES, PLUS DEVELOPER BLOG DETAILING IMPROVEMENTS TO KART UPGRADE SYSTEMS AND COSTS
In the mid-season update to KartRider: Drift, Nexon continues to fine-tune the racing experience by implementing improvements based on feedback from its global player base. Since last month’s Season 1 launch, which added PlayStation and Xbox consoles to the cross-play mix, KartRider: Drift has been the top free-to-play game on Xbox. Nexon also announced that North American and European players currently account for approximately 46% of new racers since Season 1 – the highest proportion of newly registered players.
In his Developer Blog post released yesterday, KartRider: Drift game director Jaeyun Cho emphasized the development team has been diligent in reviewing gameplay feedback, understanding player behaviors, and adjusting key in-game systems with balance and fairness in mind. A comprehensive list of changes in the Mid-Season 1 Update can be found online, but highlights include:
Kart Upgrade Costs
The Kart Upgrade system allows racers to adjust the driving performance of karts and fine-tune it to achieve maximum performance. After the patch, the amount of earnable in-game currency (called Lucci) required to reset a kart’s gears has been adjusted to 5,000 regardless of rank. Previously, it would have cost 7,000 Lucci to reset a kart at Fine rank, and 14,000 Lucci to reset a kart at Rare rank. These cost reductions will allow racers to experiment with multiple karts and tuning variations.
Kart Balancing
Also included in this mid-season update, players will be able to bring out the true uniqueness of each of their owned karts. To address this, director Cho stated that the five karts earned through License system missions and Racing Pass have now been given attributes to help differentiate them. “This is intended to maintain the fairness of the existing karts, while creating a bit of variety in the performance of the karts you can earn,” notes director Cho. Specific karts were called out in the Developer Blog post.
New Content
As part of Nexon’s commitment to improving the players’ experience, a brand-new game mode has been implemented into yesterday’s patch. As mentioned by Jaeyun in his blog post, “Factory Run” pits a team of four players who compete against 36 AI racers on a ‘Factory’-themed course (which is the setting for Season 1). Based on Item Mode, players race normally in “Factory Run” by collecting items to use against opponents, but, if overtaken by enough AI racers, they will be turned into an android kart, whose new goal is to knock former teammates out of the race. It’s thrilling and fast-paced, and gives KartRider: Drift racers a new opportunity to test their drifting skills and master the chaos.
In closing, game director Cho stated that, “We’re always looking for new ways to keep racers entertained by gathering feedback from racers across the globe. Following the new modes featured for this current season, we’re also excited to introduce more themed content in Season 2, which kicks off next month.”
Patch Notes for the April 5 mid-season game update can be found here, and the Developer Blog post from KartRider: Drift game director Jaeyun Cho are available to read here.
Be sure to watch KartRider: Drift’s Twitch channel and link your Nexon account for an exclusive set of three all new Twitch drops: the Witchy Sophia decal, Airi Emoticon Pack, and the F724 Kart are available to watch-and-earn now.
KartRider: Drift is available to download and play for free on PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Nexon Launcher, iOS App Store, and Google Play.
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BetVictor
BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign

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
BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign

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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