Canada

Exclusive Q&A w/ Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Lady Luck Games

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2023

You recently made your LatAm debut in Mexico with operator LoGrand Entertainment. What makes Mexico the ideal market for your suite of slot games?

Mexico is a thriving online casino market where regulations are stringent when it comes to player protection while still ensuring it is commercially viable for operators and game studios. There is a strong appetite for engaging and entertaining online casino and slot content among a wide range of player audiences, and, as a studio with bold and ambitious plans for the wider LatAm market, we wanted to be among the first to deploy games in Mexico. Our partnership with LoGrand Entertainment is a testament to the quality of our slots with the operator sharing our belief and confidence that they will hit the mark with players. We are also soon live with Cbet – another tier-one LatAm operator – and the feedback we have received from both operators and their players has been incredible. Titles such as Weight of the Gun, Mr. Alchemister, and Ruler of Egypt have quickly risen to the top of the charts – so too have those that use our innovative pipe mechanic. These are unique, one-reel slots that have really taken the market by storm.

We see Mexico very much as the foundation for building our presence across Latin America and we will continue to enter additional markets as regulations allow. Across the continent, online gambling is growing at a rapid rate – in 2021 alone, revenues increased by $7.2bn with no signs of this slowing down as more countries embrace regulation and licensing, allowing operators and studios such as Lady Luck Games to address more of the 400 million people that live in Latin America.

What are players in Mexico and more broadly across LatAm looking for in an online slot? Does this differ from other global markets? If so, how?

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The Mexican market is broken down as follows – 60% is sports betting and 40% is online casino games such as slots, blackjack, poker, and lottery. Lady Luck Games is focused entirely on the casino vertical and is on a mission to bring top-quality content to players in markets across Latin America. This is already a highly competitive market and the quality of the experience offered by operators will ultimately determine the level of success they achieve. Player expectations are high, and they absolutely must be met and where possible, exceeded. An online casino lives or dies based on the games offered to players, and we want our operator partners to be able to provide a lobby of slots that players keep coming back to. To date, we have launched slots from our international portfolio that we believe offer what players are looking for, but we are now gathering data and feedback which will be used to develop games specifically for the market, allowing operators to truly localise their slot portfolios. In Mexico, this means exploring games around themes such as Inca, Dia de Los Muertos, and Piñatas.

Can you tell us more about your plans for Latin America? What makes it such an attractive market for Lady Luck?

We are keeping a very close eye on how regulations progress in various countries across the region and are always considering the best opportunities for Lady Luck Games to explore. Colombia is certainly on the agenda as well as countries that have regulated or are regulating online gambling. Markets that have gone down this path such as Buenos Aires (Argentina) are seeing significant yet stable growth and this really should make other jurisdictions sit up and take note. All eyes are currently on Brazil – the sleeping giant of Latin America – as legislation getting over the line here would be a game changer. Retail gambling is prohibited but online gambling is grey and some brands are actively targeting the market and building sizable player bases that they will be able to really maximise as and when enabling law is passed. As for Lady Luck, we plan to be in all regulated online casino markets that are commercially viable.

Where is the opportunity greater – North or South America? Why?

This is a really interesting question. If you just look at the size of the addressable market and the predicted GGR from each, North America has the edge. But when you factor in things like licensing, the need to secure market access partnerships and the incredibly high cost of marketing and brand-building, then the scales could tip in the other direction. Either way, it’s safe to say that both markets provide tremendous opportunities for operators and game developers to explore and that’s exactly what we are doing in both North and South America.

How is your licence application in Ontario progressing? What impact will your games have on the market?

We took the decision to postpone our application for an Ontario licence due to our acquisition of ReelRNG and the launch of our new remote game server, StormRGS. Now that this is live, we plan to pick up our Ontario licence application once again this year. We have already received strong feedback from Ontario operators when we presented at CGA last year, so we are determined to make our full suite of games available to all operators targeting the market as soon as possible and to see how players respond to our striking animations, powerful sound, big bonuses, and action-packed gameplay.

Do you have any plans to make a move in the US? Which states in particular are on your radar?

We are keen to make a move in key US online casino states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, and these markets are firmly on our roadmap. That said, I doubt we will secure licences and go live in these states this year as we are prioritising Latin America for now while also focusing on the launch of our new state-of-the-art platform for European operators.

What can European developers bring to the table in these markets?

Online casino is incredibly advanced in most European markets. The studios that have focused on Europe are at the cutting edge of online slot development and are the ones bringing innovations and new concepts to players for the first time. It’s still early days for US studios and many are still concentrating on an omnichannel approach by getting back Casino titles online, while European developers are pushing boundaries and creating the next generation of mobile-first casino content. It won’t be long before players in North and South America seek out games that develop these , never seen before experiences, and that will see them fire up the reels on titles created by European studios such as Lady Luck.

AGCO

Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license

Published

11 hours ago

April 7, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

playnetic-granted-ontario-supplier-license

Global B2B iGaming content provider secures first Canadian market entry following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application

Playnetic, the in-demand global B2B iGaming content provider known for its quality games, reliable delivery and outstanding customer service, has announced the approval of its gaming-related supplier application by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

With the AGCO licensing process being recognised in the industry for its rigorous standards and thorough due diligence, the new certification confirms Playnetic was able to meet the high levels of integrity and regulatory compliance needed to legally distribute its content within the province.

As a result of the approval, Playnetic has now secured its first Canadian market entry and will be able to provide its library of innovative games to licensed operators in the Ontario region – with this starting point paving the way for further expansion into other regulated provinces in future.

Given signs of change emerging within the Canadian market and Alberta making progress toward a regulated online model – likely drawing from Ontario’s framework – this license positions Playnetic strongly to expand its footprint in the country and further solidifies the company’s ambitious growth plans.

In the meantime, Playnetic has already begun making groundwork with key operators in the Ontario region and is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months. The company will also be attending SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit from June 17-19, where both existing and new potential partners alike are welcome to stop by and meet the team.

Dan Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Playnetic, said: “Acquiring AGCO approval for our gaming-related supplier application is undoubtedly a big step for Playnetic. The new license not only secures our first Canadian market entry, but also reaffirms Playnetic’s position as a trusted provider in iGaming and underlines our commitment to compliance and operational excellence.”

Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “We’re very excited to now be in a position to offer our library of innovative gaming content in Ontario, and the groundwork to do that with some of the region’s biggest licensed operators is already underway. Over time, we’re confident this license will also help us expand further into current markets and emerging regulated provinces, such as Alberta.”

The post Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

BetVictor

BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign

Published

1 week ago

March 31, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

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

Published

1 week ago

March 31, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

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”.