Canada
Evoplay: Getting ready for Ontario
Evoplay has proven itself as one of LatAm and Europe’s most innovative game studios in recent years, with a host of industry awards for its ground-breaking titles, including the RPG-based ‘Dungeon: Immortal Evil’ and the space-based shoot ‘em up, ‘Star Guardians.’
As the award-winning provider gears up for its first debut in North America, we sat down with Evoplay’s Head of Sales, Ihor Zarechnyi to talk through the supplier’s exciting launch in Canada’s largest market, Ontario.
With Evoplay’s Canadian debut getting closer and closer, can you tell us about your initial plans for the market?
We’re very excited to be gearing up for our launch in Ontario. We have no doubt that Canada will be a major growth opportunity for us, with the market being one of the most favourable for iGaming businesses given its transparent and clear regulatory framework. We’ll be putting a lot of effort into our marketing efforts, including network promotions, and I’m very confident that our games will be incredibly well-received by Canadian players. I can certainly hint that we’ve got some big expectations with some of Canada’s leading operators, so you’ll have to watch this space!
I would also hope that our hard-earned reputation will precede us before our launch in the market – we’re proud to be known as a studio that creates high-quality graphics, engaging gameplay and innovative features. We’re also committed to providing a safe and secure gaming experience for all of our players, so I have no doubt that we have an excellent platform for success.
What potential do you see in the market and why have you and your commercial team earmarked the market as a key location for growth? Could it be a stepping-stone into the US?
As we’ve already touched on, we see a lot of potential here. As our first point of entry into North America as a whole. I have no doubt that Ontario will be a great platform for that expansion.
Taking our content into Canada’s largest market will no doubt enable us to promote our brand and also establish trust with players – we can’t wait to get started!
Looking at demographics, Canada is growing rapidly, and we want to tap into that. In total, the potential of online casino players is expected to reach 10 million by 2025 – which makes it a force to be reckoned with. iGaming is already a firmly entrenched form of entertainment, and we’re very excited to be filling that demand.
On top of that, the Ontario regulator has a very progressive framework for regulation, which will be conducive to the market’s continued growth.
As to future plans beyond Ontario, I can certainly hint that we’re already talking with some of the largest players in the US market, so without a doubt, some very exciting times lie ahead.
Looking at your award-winning portfolio of games, do you have any particular titles in mind for entertaining Ontario players?
We have a number of highly engaging games in our armoury that we are incredibly excited to share with Ontario players.
Our Bonus Buy games have really resonated with players in the market, which gives them that bit more control over their experience. Sold It Bonus Buy is a particularly captivating title with this option and features an exciting Free Spins round that includes Sticky Wild multipliers which players can purchase with pre-added Wild symbols. Similarly, Redrose Sanctuary Bonus Buy gives players the chance to buy the Free Spins round with different multiplier amounts.
Fishing games are also incredibly popular on the market right now. When paired with Bonus Buy, it is no wonder why The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy is another top performer for us and one we anticipate a strong reaction from in Canada.
With North America’s rich land-based casino history, a retro-themed game always goes down well. Our Hot Triple Sevens slot is a prime example of this, melding a traditional slot theme with innovative features. This is also seen in our classic instant lottery game Scratch Match consisting of simple, straightforward rules that make for a fast-paced and exciting gaming experience.
Your football-themed instant games have certainly made a splash across LatAm and Europe, does Evoplay have ice hockey-themed games in mind for Canadians?
Evoplay is always looking for new ways to entertain players, and of course we know all too well that ice hockey is Canada’s most popular sport! So, in line with that, we’ve seen our football-themed instant games perform great where football is the most popular, so we’d no doubt look to repeat that for Canada. In terms of development, it’s definitely something we’ve got in the pipeline, as I have no doubt that repeating our instant games’ success be incredibly well received! It’s still in the early stages of development, but I have no doubt that it’ll be live in the next year, and I’m sure it will prove to be a massive hit with Canadian players.
We’re seeing plenty of interest in Esports among the latest generation of players, can that cross-over into casino?
Yes, there can be plenty of cross-over. Esports is a rapidly growing industry, and it is attracting an entirely new generation of gamers. Of course, it goes without that saying that they’re tech-savvy and looking for new and exciting ways to play.
If we look at total market potential – estimates put the aggregated global player base for casino at $335 billion by 2025. So of course, within that, there’s a significant portion available. As to what they’re looking for, slots inspired by mechanics and themes one sees in video games certainly go a long way. A great example of this is our 2022 flagship slot, Star Guardians, which is heavily inspired by third-person shooters – set in space in the year 2777 in the midst of an interplanetary war.
In many ways, we’re still in the early stages of cross-over, as it’s still an emerging demographic, but I have no doubt that this is one to be watched and will likely continue to grow in the future. There’s plenty of options to consider – from Esports teams partnering with casino operators to create new branded games and promotions, over to sponsorship of teams and even Esports events held at real casinos! Of course, we follow all these trends at Evoplay and it’s certainly an audience that will be focusing hard on entertaining.
Canada
Fennica Gaming Expands its Partnership with Loto-Québec by Launching eInstant Games
Building on the momentum of its successful market entry, Fennica Gaming announced the expansion of its partnership with Loto-Québec by launching also its portfolio of eInstant games. This second phase follows the recent successful launch of Fennica Gaming’s online casino games, making its full suite of innovative online games available to players on Loto-Québec’s digital platform, the only legal online gaming offer in the province of Québec.
The launch of the eInstant portfolio completes the initial offering, delivering a diverse and engaging gaming experience designed with Fennica Gaming’s signature player-first approach. The move solidifies Fennica Gaming’s commitment to the Canadian market and its strategy of building long-term, sustainable partnerships with regulated lotteries and operators.
“Launching our casino games was the first step; following it up swiftly with our eInstants is about delivering on our promise. Our partnership with Loto-Québec is built on shared values of responsibility and providing engaging, high-quality entertainment. This isn’t just a content drop; it’s a commitment to our partner’s long-term success and to bringing fresh, reliable gaming experiences to the players in Québec,” said Joni Hovi, SVP of Customers and Marketing at Fennica Gaming.
“Our eInstants are designed with a Nordic innovativeness; they are intuitive, visually engaging, and extremely entertaining – built for sustainable fun. We’ve added the best of mobile gaming expertise, seasoned it with a high-quality, player-centric experience. We are confident that this creative energy offers a distinct flavour that will stand out and connect with players in Québec,” said Kirsi Lagus, SVP of Portfolio and Product Development.
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Canada
CGA Announces Leadership Evolution and 2026 Board of Directors
Amanda Brewer becomes Senior Vice President of Policy & Communications and Brandon Aboultaif becomes Vice President of Western Canada; Salim Adatia (GLI) and Mike Maodus (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP) join the CGA Board as Scott Vanderwel (PointsBet Canada) is appointed Chair.
Amanda Brewer has joined the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) as Senior Vice President of Policy and Communications, and Brandon Aboultaif has assumed the position of Vice President for Western Canada.
Amanda has served as a consultant to the Association for over 15 years, playing a pivotal role in achieving numerous CGA milestones. “I am confident she will apply her enthusiasm and expertise to this new position, which more precisely aligns with her ongoing contributions on behalf of our members,” said Paul Burns, President and CEO, CGA. Amanda remains actively engaged in AML and advertising bill initiatives in Ottawa, along with the Alberta consultation process, where the Association is collaborating with the Government of Alberta and AGLC to prepare the province for its iGaming market launch.
Brandon is the former Press Secretary to Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction and will be a great addition to the CGA. “With the Alberta market soon opening, it has been an important goal to expand our presence into the western part of the country,” added Mr. Burns. His key responsibilities include advancing industry research and education initiatives, supporting member engagement across Western Canada, and fostering collaboration on responsible gaming, innovation, and market development initiatives that strengthen Canada’s gaming ecosystem.
In addition, Salim Adatia, Managing Director, Canada for Gaming Laboratories International, LLC, and Mike Maodus, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, have joined the CGA’s Board of Directors, and Scott Vanderwel, CEO for PointsBet Canada, becomes the Association’s new Chair.
The full 2026 board is as follows:
- Salim Adatia, Gaming Laboratories International, LLC
- Bruce Caughill, Rush Street Interactive
- Peter Czegeldy, Aird & Berlis LLP
- Neil Erlick, Nuvei
- Kurt Gissane, Aristocrat
- Charmaine Hogan, Playtech
- Dale Hooper, FanDuel
- Chuck Keeling, Great Canadian Entertainment
- Mike Maodus, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
- Terry McInally, Gateway Entertainment
- Niaz Nejad, Non-Member Director
- Derek Ramm, Kinectify
- Lindsay Slader, GeoComply
- Richard Taylor, Niagara Casinos
- Shane Thompson, Konami
- Scott Vanderwel, PointsBet Canada (Chair)
- Scott Woodgate, BetMGM
We are also pleased to welcome three past chairs as Emeritus members of the board:
- Ilkim Hincer, IC360
- Carrie Kormos, CK Consulting Inc
- Bob Parente, Light & Wonder
“Amanda and Brandon have joined the CGA as full-time members to oversee several important national campaigns,” stated Scott Vanderwel, Chair of the Board. “We are also pleased to welcome Salim and Mike to the Board. The Board has worked closely with Paul over recent years to advance the Association’s leadership and board structure. We have full confidence in Amanda and Brandon as they step into these key roles, as well as in the valuable contributions that Salim and Mike are expected to bring as we prepare for an active 2026 workload.”
Mr. Burns stated that the newly announced executive and Board appointments will strengthen CGA’s position and support its expansion into Western Canada. “Amanda brings extensive CGA experience, while Brandon contributes knowledge of government policy at both federal and provincial levels. Coupled with our enhanced Board, I am confident they will help drive CGA’s objectives and ongoing growth.”
Source: canadiangaming.ca
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Adam Pentecost Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps
Gaming Corps partners with BetMGM for exclusive Ontario launch
Gaming Corps – a publicly-listed game development company based in Sweden, has announced a landmark content partnership with BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, marking BetMGM as the first partner to bring Gaming Corps’ full portfolio to players in Ontario. The exclusivity will run for an initial period before the portfolio is rolled out more widely in the market.
The agreement brings BetMGM players in Ontario the full force of Gaming Corps’ premium line-up, from blockbuster titles like 3 Pigs of Olympus and Gates of Hellfire to signature mechanics including the adrenaline-fuelled A-MAZE-CADES
and instant-win Smash4Cash
series.
Available at BetMGM Casino, the portfolio also features the innovative X-MY-WAY
challenge, as seen in Hoop Champion and Golf Champion, which introduces new layers of interactivity and personalised gameplay experiences.
Adam Pentecost, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Ontario has quickly become one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and we’re thrilled to be making our debut with BetMGM as our first operator partner in the province. The opportunity to launch with such a high-profile brand, on an exclusive basis, allows us to showcase our content to an engaged player base and demonstrate the unique experiences we can deliver. This is an important milestone in our North American expansion strategy, and we look forward to seeing how Ontario players respond to our portfolio.”
Oliver Bartlett, Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM, said: “Exclusivity matters because it gives our players something they can’t find anywhere else and sets us apart in a competitive market. Gaming Corps’ engaging and interactive content portfolio is a fantastic addition to BetMGM Casino.”
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