Canada

Why blackjack is the most popular casino game in the world

Published

6 years ago

July 17, 2020

Casino players have more options than ever when it comes to the amount of games to choose from. However, even with a growing volume of games, there is one that remains the most widely popular.

Different studies have been conducted to determine which casino games are responsible for all online players, and they all conclude that blackjack is king, attracting around 31 percent of all online casino table traffic.

Blackjack is followed by roulette (24%) and poker (21%), with all other games combined (including craps and baccarat) making up the remaining 24 percent.

So, what is it about blackjack – a game that first emerged in the 18^th century – that has made it consistently the most popular game for so many players?

The rules are easy to understand

The rules for blackjack are simple enough for new players to quickly understand but layered enough to keep players engaged. After placing your stake for the upcoming hand, the dealer will deal you two cards and themselves two cards, with one facing down. Your aim is to reach as close to the value of 21 as possible.

After you have settled on your final hand, it is the dealer’s turn to reach 21. Whoever gets closer to 21, wins the hand. If one player goes bust by going over 21, the other player wins but if both go over 21 the round is void.

A player lands blackjack when their two original cards make up 21. This is only possible when dealt an Ace and a 10-value card (10, jack, queen, king). Usually blackjack earns the player an additional bonus on top of their original stake.

You can also make some mid-game bets that add extra dimensions to blackjack and make the game even more interesting. Splitting allows you to split your hand into two bets when you are dealt two identical cards. Doubling down means you can double your bet mid-game on the condition that you will only take one more card.

The basic rules and the mid-game betting are perfectly set up to make blackjack exciting and fun for players.

Mix of luck and decision-making

The biggest part of blackjack that contributes to its popularity is the fact that it allows players a level of control, even though the game is based primarily on luck. Of course, there is no control over which cards you get dealt, but players are able to decide when to hit (add more cards) and when to stick; when to double down and when to split.

Decision-making is almost as important as luck in blackjack. It allows players the opportunity to take advantage of hands that lean in their favor, while at the same time minimize risks and losses when the dealer is in a position of strength.

Compare that to the other most popular casino games. Roulette and slot games are based entirely on luck and give players no control, while poker is highly strategic to the point that players with terrible cards can still beat opponents with good cards.

Blackjack made a successful transition online

The evolution of online casino betting revolutionized the industry and saw casino games attract entirely new audiences and demographics.

As one of the most popular and established casino games, software developers knew of the importance of ensuring online versions of blackjack would prove just as popular.

The investment and effort to create dynamic and engaging digital versions of blackjack – particularly mobile versions in more recent years – has paid off and as revealed earlier, it is the most played online casino game in the world.

The beauty of blackjack is that the game is just as engaging whether played in a grand casino surrounded by people or on a mobile phone.

Blackjack is sociable and non-competitive

When playing at a live online casino or at a land-based casino, you will likely be joined at the blackjack table by other players. However, you all have the same goal and that is to beat the dealer. Despite sharing a table, blackjack players are not in competition with each other.

Whether playing with friends or strangers, blackjack’s setup makes it a sociable game as everyone wants to take down the house! And click here if you want to check online casino betting tips.

Alberta

St8 extends TonyBet partnership to Alberta after securing supplier registration

Published

6 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

st8-extends-tonybet-partnership-to-alberta-after-securing-supplier-registration

St8 has extended its partnership with TonyBet into Alberta, expanding their Canada footprint following an earlier launch in Ontario this year.

Under the expanded agreement, TonyBet will use St8’s game aggregation platform through a single API integration. St8 said this provides access to its wider catalogue of casino content for players in Alberta.

St8 said the Alberta rollout follows its newly acquired registration to operate in the province as an iGaming Services Supplier, allowing it to provide aggregation services to licensed operators in the market. The company said its platform connects partners to more than 200 game providers via a single API.

David Fall, Business Development Manager at St8, said:

“Entering Alberta’s regulated market is a strong step for St8 that represents our continued efforts to bring our offerings to as many territories as possible, delivering top-tier results for partnerships at the local, national and international stage. We share this commitment with TonyBet, a company that we are very fortunate to be working with so collaboratively and closely as we continue to grow our presence across North America.”

Kiryl Liudvikevich, Head of Product at TonyBet, said:

“We’re proud that our work with St8 has enabled us to continue expanding across Canada. Through St8’s aggregation platform, we can seamlessly access games from the industry’s leading providers via a single integration, helping us scale efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on the player experience. St8 has cemented itself as our go-to partner for expansion into regulated markets, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration as we grow into new jurisdictions.”

The post St8 extends TonyBet partnership to Alberta after securing supplier registration appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alberta

St8 continues partnership with TonyBet with an expansion into Alberta

Published

6 hours ago

July 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

st8-continues-partnership-with-tonybet-with-an-expansion-into-alberta

Casino game aggregation platform and full-service technology provider St8 has extended its ongoing partnership with TonyBet into Alberta, furthering both companies’ expansion into Canada.

As part of the extended agreement, Tonybet will benefit from St8’s next-generation platform via a single API integration, unlocking seamless access to a wide portfolio of games from the industry’s leading providers and enhancing its casino offering for players in Alberta.

The move is the latest in St8’s successful relationship with TonyBet, having previously launched in Ontario earlier this year in a bid to continually grow in regulated markets worldwide.

This expansion was made possible thanks to St8’s newly acquired registration to operate in Alberta as an iGaming Services Supplier, enabling St8 to provide its next-generation game aggregation services to licensed operators in the region, giving partners access to more than 200 premium game providers through a single API integration.

Featuring over 3,000 games from more than 60 providers, TonyBet, meanwhile, has gone from strength to strength in its 17-year history, establishing itself as one of the industry’s leading game studios by delivering engaging titles that combine player appeal with premium gameplay.

Holding licenses in 10 different jurisdictions including Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland and Estonia, among others, Tonybet’s partnership with St8 has seen them now launch in two separate territories in Canada, with both companies working collaboratively to explore the opportunities available in exciting new markets. This latest agreement reinforces St8’s strategy of expanding its premium content portfolio while helping operators simplify integration, accelerate market entry, and deliver engaging gaming experiences across multiple regulated jurisdictions.

Speaking on the expansion, David Fall, Business Development Manager at St8, said: “Entering Alberta’s regulated market is a strong step for St8 that represents our continued efforts to bring our offerings to as many territories as possible, delivering top-tier results for partnerships at the local, national and international stage. We share this commitment with TonyBet, a company that we are very fortunate to be working with so collaboratively and closely as we continue to grow our presence across North America.”

Kiryl Liudvikevich, Head of Product at TonyBet, had this to say: “We’re proud that our work with St8 has enabled us to continue expanding across Canada. Through St8’s aggregation platform, we can seamlessly access games from the industry’s leading providers via a single integration, helping us scale efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on the player experience. St8 has cemented itself as our go-to partner for expansion into regulated markets, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration as we grow into new jurisdictions.”

The post St8 continues partnership with TonyBet with an expansion into Alberta appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

IGT Signs Agreement to Deploy 720 Sierra27 Video Lottery Terminals Across Saskatchewan

Published

8 hours ago

July 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

igt-signs-agreement-to-deploy-720-sierra27-video-lottery-terminals-across-saskatchewan

IGT announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions Limited (IGT), signed an agreement with Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) to supply 720 additional Sierra27 video lottery terminals (VLTs) in 2026. The agreement strengthens IGT’s position as a leading VLT supplier in Canada and marks the second consecutive year that IGT has been selected through WCLC’s competitive VLT procurement process.

“WCLC selected IGT through a competitive procurement process, and these additional Sierra27 VLTs will support our venue network with hardware and content designed for the Canadian market. IGT has been a longstanding supplier to WCLC, and we look forward to continuing our work together,” said Eric Karmark, WCLC Vice President, VLT Gaming & Operations.

“As the leading VLT supplier in Canada, IGT is uniquely positioned to help WCLC enhance venue performance and player experiences with proven products and solutions backed by decades of market experience. This significant agreement with WCLC for 720 additional IGT Sierra27 VLTs reinforces the strength of our outstanding collaboration in providing games that excite and engage players,” said Chad Helm, IGT VP of Sales, Canada and Oregon.

IGT’s versatile Sierra27 VLT delivers comfort and serviceability and features two high-definition 27-inch screens, a 13.3-inch dynamic player panel with dual bash buttons, and a wireless inductive charger. The Sierra27 VLT is backed by a large library of high-performing content and games designed specifically for players in Canada, including Big City 5’s Diamond, Tiki Tiki Tiki Mayhem, Cash Climb Garden of Hesperides, and more.

The post IGT Signs Agreement to Deploy 720 Sierra27 Video Lottery Terminals Across Saskatchewan appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.