Canada
US Bookies Starting to See Interest in Esports Rise Dramatically
In the past, professional bookmakers in the United States didn’t think much about esports. Most considered it to be on par with horse racing and even though bookies offered it, but it wasn’t one of the more essential options. But, since mid-2020, though, the bookie viewpoint regarding esports has shifted significantly. Once a novelty, pay per head agents, bookies who use sportsbook software, have signed on more and more esports betting players. The increase in action can be traced and part of the reason to the fact that most online sportsbooks offer betting on Counter-strike (CS:GO), League of Legends (LoL), and Dota 2 matches.
CS:GO, League of Legends, and Dota 2 are the three most organized esports globally. Dota 2 is so popular that later this month, on March 25, Netflix will release an anime show starring Valve Dota, one of the game’s main characters. Twitch, the online streaming service, also broadcasts the most important and most essential esports matches. What’s interesting is that all three are older games. Dota 2 came out in 2013. League of Legends calls 2009 its birth year, and Counter-Strike began on Microsoft Windows in 1999.
Similar to what happens with the NFL, NBA, and MLB, esports enthusiasts latch onto specific teams and players. The two most popular games, Counter-strike and League of Legends, are attractive to different regions worldwide. The top four ranked CS:GO teams are from Russia and European nations. The best League of Legends teams call South Korea and China their homes.
Riot Games, which developed League of Legends, runs all regional tournaments and the LoL World Championships. Valve, Counter-Strike’s creator, runs major Counter-strike tournaments throughout the world. Valve also created Dota 2. The main Dota 2 event is The International. Valve shelved The International in 2020 due to the coronavirus. Although Valve has not released the dates for The International in 2021, most believe it will happen in Stockholm, Sweden, sometime in August.
When asked about esports, PayPerHead product manager Nate Johnson said, “Any time you’ve got a tournament with a $34 to $40 million prize pool, like The International, our agents will see action on those matches.” Johnson also added that players have helped esports popularity rise. Astralis Counter-Strike player Dev1ce, Nicholas Reedtz is his real name, has earned over $1.29 million. “Every CS:GO fan on the planet knows who Dev1ce is,” Johnson said, “which is why whenever Astralis plays, you can be sure Twitch is streaming it.”
Asked specifically about esports in the US, Johnson said, “U.S. bettors, to a large degree, have yet to catch on, which is why many of our agents haven’t seen a rise in esports betting action.” Johnson said that could soon change. “The Overwatch League is based in the United States and Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, has a stake in Boston Uprising. Other major sports league figures are getting involved. As more football, baseball, and basketball figures get involved, esports should gain in popularity here in the states.”
“The 2021 Overwatch League starts play on April 16. So our agents could see a rise in esports action around that time,” Johnson added. “But agents mustn’t wait until April 16. Almost every week, there are multiple CS:GO, LoL, and Dota 2 tournaments. Now’s the time for agents to start telling their players about esports betting with all the exciting options now available.”
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Alberta
Peter & Sons launches full game portfolio in Alberta
Peter & Sons has launched in Alberta with its full game portfolio, extending the Barcelona-based iGaming studio’s North American expansion.
The company said the Alberta rollout brings its complete catalogue to a market it described as “one of Canada’s most closely watched,” as the province continues to develop its regulated online gaming framework.
Peter & Sons said Alberta players will have access to titles including Barbarossa: Dragon Empire, The Soapranos and Greedy Alice.
Lauryn Duncan, Head of Sales at Peter & Sons, said: “Alberta is an exciting new market for Peter & Sons and an important step in our North American growth. Launching with our full portfolio gives us the chance to introduce the complete Peter & Sons experience from day one, from the art and characters to the mechanics and worlds that define our games. It is a market with strong potential, and we are proud to bring our games to players there.”
The post Peter & Sons launches full game portfolio in Alberta appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alberta
Peter & Sons Enters Alberta with Full Game Portfolio
Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons has entered Alberta with its full game portfolio, marking another major step in the studio’s regulated North American expansion.
The launch brings Peter & Sons’ complete catalogue to one of Canada’s most closely watched iGaming markets, as Alberta continues to develop its regulated online gaming framework. Following the growth of Ontario’s regulated model, Alberta represents an important new chapter for suppliers looking to build long-term presence across Canada.
Alberta offers a strong opportunity for Peter & Sons, combining a clear regulatory direction with a growing appetite for high-quality digital casino content. Players in the province will gain access to the studio’s full portfolio, from visually distinctive slots and recognizable characters from games like Barbarossa: Dragon Empire, The Soapranos, Greedy Alice and many others.
Renowned for its creative direction and distinctive approach to game development, Peter & Sons continues to expand across regulated markets worldwide. The Alberta entry reflects the studio’s commitment to growing its North American footprint while bringing its complete catalogue to markets where originality, performance, and player engagement all matter.
Lauryn Duncan, Head of Sales at Peter & Sons, said: “Alberta is an exciting new market for Peter & Sons and an important step in our North American growth. Launching with our full portfolio gives us the chance to introduce the complete Peter & Sons experience from day one, from the art and characters to the mechanics and worlds that define our games. It is a market with strong potential, and we are proud to bring our games to players there.”
The post Peter & Sons Enters Alberta with Full Game Portfolio appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alberta
Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on day one of regulated market
Gaming Corps has launched its online casino content with bet365 in Alberta on the first day of the province’s regulated market opening on 13 July 2026, while also expanding its content distribution with the operator in Ontario and Spain.
The Sweden-based game developer said it is among the first wave of studios fully certified for Alberta’s newly regulated market. Gaming Corps will support bet365’s Alberta entry with more than 50 games at launch, spanning Slots, Table, Plinko, Mine Games and Instant Blitz.
As part of the expanded partnership, Gaming Corps said bet365 will also gain access to its football-themed titles, including Penalty Champion: Goals to Glory, and its 3 Pigs franchise, including 3 Pigs of Olympus, 3 Pigs of Olympus 2: Rise of the DemiHog, and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean.
The rollout also includes Gaming Corps’ Low RTP Blackjack titles, which the company said are designed around 93.57% RTP and approximately 6% operator hold, with flexible branding options and side-bet mechanics.
Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 across Spain, Ontario and Alberta is a major moment for Gaming Corps, but Alberta is the real statement here. Going live with bet365 from day one reflects the work our teams have put into certification, onboarding and ensuring we can move quickly and confidently with major operator partners.
“As one of the earliest studios ready for Alberta, we’ll be bringing more than 50 titles to the province. That breadth matters, because it gives operators like bet365 a single partner across multiple verticals, with content designed to support acquisition, engagement and retention across different player segments. Spain and Ontario are also important regulated markets for us and expanding with a global operator of this scale highlights how far Gaming Corps has come in a short period of time.”
Richard Graham, Associate VP of Gaming at bet365at bet365 said: “Gaming Corps has become a valuable content partner, combining recognisable game identities with formats that add variety across our casino offering. We are pleased to extend the partnership into Spain, Ontario and Alberta, with the Alberta launch particularly important as part of our day-one commitment to the market.
“Expanding the relationship across multiple territories in a relatively short period reflects the strength of the collaboration, as well as the Gaming Corps team’s clear product direction, commitment and continued development as a game vendor. We look forward to giving players access to a wide-ranging portfolio from the moment the market opens.”
The post Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on day one of regulated market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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