Canada

The US continues to sweeten the pot

Published

5 years ago

May 24, 2021

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming examines online poker’s prospects stateside

The US has always been associated with manifest destiny, embarking on new regions and making the most of what is there. It seems fitting then that legalised online poker is finding its way across the country, adjusting to different forms of regulation in various states.

Poker is deeply entrenched within American culture, being as symbolic to the country as Mah-jong is for China or Rummy in India. Even so, the US has been without any legitimate means to enjoy the game online for 10 years and there is a real hunger for it now. Despite all this, the estimated number of Americans regularly playing poker in all its forms still reaches 10 million.

As different states become regulated in one guise or another, the game is finally beginning to find its place on people’s computer and smartphone screens. New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware are the most obvious states for an operator to approach from a regulatory point of view. There is also West Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania, which are regulating online poker and are likely to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.

Unfortunately, high liquidity is always crucial for the game to be interesting for players and with such prohibitive legislation in the majority of states, the game is not going to be as strong as it could be. This is possibly the biggest obstacle operators will face. However, even in these circumstances major operators like PokerStars are already able to get as much as 500 daily active players in one state, and this number is extremely promising.

That being said, differentiation can always help in standing out from the crowd and that is more important than ever when competing against the industry’s big brands. With poker being synonymous with US gambling, differentiating an offering should not be too great of a challenge. Building a strong and reputable offering, including a balanced tournament schedule are key factors for acquiring players and keeping them engaged.

Obviously, many of these issues could be solved with national gambling regulation, but that is unlikely to be a possibility, certainly not in the next two or three years. In fact, the US is so diverse with respect to state legislation that a national gambling regulation of any kind may simply not be feasible on any timeline.

The current federal government policy is to keep online gaming regulation at the states’ level, so the best outcome we can hope for now is that more states will introduce poker regulation and join the multi-state agreement. However, operators should keep in mind that they will still need to go through licensing in each state separately.

These issues pale in comparison to the sheer potential of the states, however. There is not a country in the world that can compete with the US for the technological infrastructure needed to roll out online poker at scale. The vast majority of US citizens own some form of smartphone. As well as that, for various reasons, desktop gaming is still hugely appealing to customers in the states. As a result of this, I expect that the mobile share will grow, but at a much slower pace than in Asia or South America.

Of course, all this development is promising, but player safety still needs to be a priority. With the current compliance and regulation policies, poker customers in the US are going to be well protected if they play at the legal operators’ websites. The main risk factor that we can foresee is the growth of scam websites passing themselves off as licensed operators. As online gaming gains momentum, monitoring all such activity becomes far more difficult, so players should be careful.

Responsibly enjoying poker, whether offline or online, has always been a special pastime in the US. That explains the initial online poker boom that started in the US and why operators flourish in every state where online poker becomes regulated. Without wanting to sound too optimistic, I hope to see this happening a lot more.

Barbarossa Dragon Empire

Peter & Sons Expands Ontario Footprint with Major Casino Time Content Deal

Published

2 days ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

peter-&-sons-expands-ontario-footprint-with-major-casino-time-content-deal

Peter & Sons, the innovative iGaming studio known for its signature artistic flair, has secured a landmark content agreement with Casino Time, a leading homegrown operator in Ontario.

Delivered through Light & Wonder’s premier aggregation platform, the partnership brings Peter & Sons’ library of indie-inspired titles to CasinoTime.ca. This move aligns with Casino Time’s strategy to consolidate its market-leading position as it expands its offerings from slots, live casino, and bingo into a soon-to-launch sportsbook.

Pushing Boundaries in the Ontario Market

Ontario has rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic and regulated iGaming jurisdictions in North America. Through this deal, local players gain access to Peter & Sons’ most successful recent launches and seasonal hits:

Barbarossa Dragon Empire: The high-stakes third installment in the studio’s flagship franchise. This Asian-themed sequel features the “Multiplier Cannon” and a massive 40,000x win potential.
Zombie Road: A post-apocalyptic adventure on a 5×3 grid with 243 ways to win, featuring cascading reels and persistent multipliers that can reach 20,000x.
Bad Santa: A subversive, gothic-horror take on the holiday season, utilizing a Scatter Pays system and “Multiplier Jumps” for a high-volatility experience.

A Shared Vision for High-Art Gaming

Peter & Sons has carved out a unique niche in the industry by blending meticulous game mechanics with world-class art and storytelling. Partnering with Casino Time—an operator celebrated for its Canadian heritage and focus on premium player experiences—marks a significant milestone for the studio’s 2026 roadmap.

“Ontario has long been a major focus for us, and partnering with Casino Time marks an exciting milestone for our expansion,” said Yann Bautista, Founder and Commercial Director at Peter & Sons. “Their commitment to top-tier entertainment aligns perfectly with our bold vision.”

Jeffrey Holmes, COO of Casino Time, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Peter & Sons. Their distinctive artistic style and highly engaging gameplay represent a major step in expanding the premium entertainment we offer to our players.”

The post Peter & Sons Expands Ontario Footprint with Major Casino Time Content Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Barbarossa Dragon Empire

Peter & Sons Bolsters Ontario Presence with Landmark Casino Time Content Agreement

Published

2 days ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

peter-&-sons-bolsters-ontario-presence-with-landmark-casino-time-content-agreement

Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons is set to enhance its position in Ontario after signing a landmark content agreement with Casino Time, one of the region’s most respected operators.

The agreement, delivered in collaboration with Light & Wonder, represents a natural move for either party, with the operator’s flagship site CasinoTime.ca offering a broad selection of casino games including slots, live casino, and bingo. There are also plans afoot for a Casino Time-powered sportsbook as the site looks to consolidate its market-leading position and diversify its content offering.

Ontario has fast emerged as one of North America’s most dynamic, progressive iGaming regions. The state’s players can now enjoy a range of Peter & Sons fan favorites including the recent flagship launch Barbarossa Dragon Empire – the third installment in the popular series – along with seasonal offering Bad Santa and the undead antics of Zombie Road.

Renowned for its catalogue of indie-inspired creations, offbeat characters, and meticulously crafted game worlds, Peter & Sons continues to push boundaries in slot design and entertainment. By joining forces with Casino Time – a platform celebrated for its proud Canadian heritage and commitment to delivering superior experiences – the studio looks forward to building a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.

Yann Bautista, Peter & Sons Founder and Commercial Director, said: “Ontario has long been a major focus for us, and partnering up with Casino Time marks an exciting milestone for our expansion in the region. Their commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment aligns perfectly with our bold vision, and we’re looking forward to sharing some of our most beloved titles with the Casino Time’s audience.”

Jeffrey Holmes, Chief Operating Officer of Casino Time added: “We are thrilled to partner with Peter & Sons, a studio renowned for its distinctive artistic style and highly engaging gameplay. As we continue to cement our leading position in the Ontario market, this agreement represents a major step in expanding the premium entertainment we offer to players.”

The post Peter & Sons Bolsters Ontario Presence with Landmark Casino Time Content Agreement appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack

Published

2 months ago

November 12, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

group-from-ts’elxweyeqw-tribe-and-great-canadian-entertainment-announce-agreement-for-the-acquisition-of-elements-casino-chilliwack

Great Canadian Entertainment and a consortium group of certain communities from the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe, through an entity affiliated with Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd. (the “Ts’elxwéyeqw Group”), announced that on November 7th, 2025, they entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase by the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group from Great Canadian Entertainment of Elements Casino Chilliwack, one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia.

The Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe constitute seven First Nation communities and are the First People of the Chilliwack River watershed. The transaction represents a transformational milestone for the communities within the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group.

Elements Casino Chilliwack serves guests across the Fraser Valley and is Chilliwack’s top destination for gaming and entertainment, featuring over 300 slots, live and electronic table games, bingo, dining, live entertainment and more.

The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and the receipt of regulatory and other approvals. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Great Canadian Entertainment will continue to provide transitional services and support to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group for a period following closing.

“This purchase marks an exciting milestone for our Nations and for the entire territory. By coming together in partnership, we are not only investing in a strong business opportunity, but also in the future of our people. The revenues generated through this acquisition will help strengthen our communities, create new opportunities, and ensure our Nations continue to play a leading role in the local economy. Additionally, we believe that local community-based ownership of Elements Casino Chilliwack will further strengthen the broader Fraser Valley community and economy. It’s a proud moment that reflects how Indigenous leadership and collaboration can build a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone,” said Chief David Jimmie, Chief of Squiala First Nation and President of Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd.

“We are very excited to have entered into this agreement with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. We have had the privilege of being part of the Chilliwack community since we opened Elements Casino Chilliwack in 2012, and we believe that under the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group’s stewardship, the business will begin an exciting new chapter. For the team members and guests of Elements Casino Chilliwack, and the local community, we can think of no better owner for the business. We look forward to the closing and then working with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group team during the transition period,” said Matt Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian Entertainment.

McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal advisor and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. McMillan LLP is acting as legal advisor to Great Canadian Entertainment.

The post Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.