Canada

Chris Kape: Micro markets: The future of US sports betting?

Published

5 years ago

June 3, 2021

Author: Chris Kape, Founder & CEO, JAMCO Capital

The global pandemic may have irrevocably defined sport last year, but it has also been the period in which online sports betting was firmly established as a powerhouse in the US market. This year, 19 states will vote on whether to legalise mobile sports betting and around 8 – 10 of those markets are expected to open up before year end. These are exciting times for the north American sports betting industry and its little surprise that its most recent industry forecasts estimate it to be worth over $20Bn within the next 5 years.

Matching the pace with In-play
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest drivers of online sports book growth has been In-Play betting. Across the pond, in more established markets such as the UK, this vertical already accounts for 70-80% of market revenue. Many predict that within the next three years this figure will be closely reflected in the US market.

As a product, In-Play betting is very attractive to operators because it is a great way to expand revenue above traditional offerings, through creating a seemingly infinite amount of betting opportunities for customers. Also, the natural ‘stop and start’ pace of America’s most popular sports including American Football and Basketball means that smaller betting opportunities such as ‘Next player to score a touchdown or a 3-pointer’ are easily created.

Keeping the buzz through Micro markets
Some of the leading brands in the US market have recently commented that traditional sports betting is too complex for sports fans and lacks the instant gratification needed to engage a new, wider audience. The US population is estimated to have a little over 37 million sports bettors, but the number of estimated sports fans is over 150 million. This strongly suggests that there’s a over 112 million US sports fans still waiting to be engaged.

In today’s society, content is a fast-moving commodity, constantly being produced and consumed on a never-ending conveyor belt of news and entertainment. This societal trend has shaped the market landscape to the point where today, players now expect instant gratification throughout their playing experience. The emerging trend of Micro-Markets is the perfect solution for this increasing shift towards fast, easy to consume entertainment.
Micro-Markets are betting markets that are created and resulted in just minutes or seconds, and for U.S. sports, are often coupled with the core engaging moments that drive consumption (e.g., pitches & at-bats for MLB, plays & drives for NFL). Especially since the lockdown, this has been a great way to give sports fans a continuous buzz throughout the games when they’re not physically able to be in the bleachers! Some industry commentators believe that by the end of the decade, over 80% of U.S. sports betting will be In-Play, and over 50% of In-Play betting handles are expected to be micro-betting.

The importance of AI
Micro market betting products are heavily reliant on the quick turn-around of stats to support the bet-type. Data companies optimising the latest technology are the key to the growth and expansion of these live betting opportunities.

The subtle, more minute details about players, teams and the games themselves are difficult to gather. Ultimately, it is the quick and unwavering stats from data companies utilising new technology such as AI, that help sportsbooks set odds, manage profit margins and determine pay-outs on an increasing variety of betting events.

The dynamic nature of In-Play betting means that things can change unexpectedly. This is almost impossible for a human to assess, but machine learning applications can evaluate the data in real time and adjust the odds in micro-seconds to reflect the ever-changing nature of sports events. AI and machine learning algorithms are designed to scour through all the relevant, contextual data that could impact a particular match, such as the participating players, the weather, injury reports, sport betting stats, and trends. Providing users with access to the latest reports within a fraction of a second. As a result, the odds and fixtures created by AI based systems tend to be significantly more accurate when compared to any past modelling systems

At its purest, the US live sports betting landscape, micro markets especially, is a technological battleground and it’s the operators than can deploy technology best – or identify superior suppliers or particular disruptive technologies – that will succeed. As a vertical, micro markets provide the perfect platform to engage US sports fans with simple, fun and most importantly, safe betting opportunities, taking their viewing experience to the next level!

Chris Kape, an iGaming industry veteran of two decades, is the owner of JAMCO Capital,
a family office venture capital firm, and is the founder and ex-CEO of Don Best Sports, which was sold to Scientific Games in 2018.

Canada

Gaming Corps takes flight in Ontario with High Flyer Casino partnership

Published

1 day ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-corps-takes-flight-in-ontario-with-high-flyer-casino-partnership

Gaming Corps, the Sweden-based publicly listed game development studio, has secured a new content partnership with High Flyer Casino, an AGCO-licensed online gaming operator in Ontario, Canada. The agreement marks another strategic step forward for Gaming Corps as it continues to grow its footprint in one of North America’s most competitive regulated iGaming markets.

As part of the deal, a curated selection of Gaming Corps’ slot titles will be made available to High Flyer Casino players across Ontario. The initial launch includes 3 Pigs of the Caribbean, a swashbuckling instalment from the well-known 3 Pigs franchise, alongside Savannah Stacks, a high-volatility slot inspired by the thrills of a safari adventure.

High Flyer Casino has established itself as a slots-focused operator with a strong reputation for value-driven, mobile-first gaming experiences tailored to Canadian players. Operated by Ellipse Entertainment Limited, the company draws on more than 25 years of industry expertise and offers a diverse portfolio that features over 100 exclusive games. Its offering is further enhanced by the proprietary Reel Jackpot brand, popular Money Spinner titles, and a wide range of progressive slots.

Commenting on the partnership, Adam Pentecost, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps, said:
“High Flyer Casino has carved out a clear position in Ontario with a focused slots strategy and a strong understanding of what local players are looking for. Bringing our most recognisable titles to their platform allows us to reach a highly engaged audience in a market that continues to set the pace in North America. This agreement represents another meaningful step in expanding our distribution with operators who value distinctive content and long-term portfolio growth.”

Man Mac, Head of Marketing at High Flyer Casino, added:
“At High Flyer Casino, we are building a slot lineup that blends proven player appeal with unique and memorable gaming experiences. Gaming Corps’ portfolio fits perfectly with that approach, delivering polished, entertaining games that are full of personality.”

The post Gaming Corps takes flight in Ontario with High Flyer Casino partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

CasinoCanada and GG.BET Forge Strategic Alliance

Published

1 day ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

casinocanada-and-gg.bet-forge-strategic-alliance

CasinoCanada is delighted to reveal a collaboration with GG.BET, a prominent global platform for esports and sports betting. This partnership will broaden GG.BET’s footprint in important regional markets and deliver focused, captivating content for fans of esports and sports wagering.

In this partnership, CasinoCanada will team up with GG.BET to create tailored reviews and SEO-focused content for local audiences. This initiative will enhance GG.BET’s exposure and provide players with trustworthy information and a smooth user experience.

CasinoCanada is an online gaming guide run by SEOBROTHERS.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, commented: “GG.BET is a pioneering force in the esports betting space, combining innovation with deep industry knowledge. Partnering with CasinoCanada aligns perfectly with our goal to support platforms that prioritise player engagement and responsible growth. Together, we look forward to delivering valuable content that resonates with esports and sports fans alike and contributes to the sustained success of GG.BET.”

GG.BET is a global wagering platform created by esports specialists to provide an exceptional esports betting experience along with a variety of conventional sports betting choices. The platform provides over 30 esports categories, featuring both console and mobile games, along with more than 40 conventional sports.

GG.BET additionally offers AI-driven virtual sports, including virtual leagues for football, basketball, and tennis. The platform improves user interaction with a tailored feed and a customizable gaming avatar that develops as players progress through GG.Leagues stages. GG.BET emphasizes player safety and client support, upholding strict standards in data security and user assistance.

GG.BET fosters esports growth through collaborations with teams and sponsorships of prominent tournaments, such as BLAST Premier (CS2), PGL Major, and Dota 2’s The International. Since 2020, GG.BET has partnered with NAVI and Team Vitality’s CS2 lineup.

The brand has gained international acclaim, securing the Best Esports Operator title at the EGR Operator Awards 2023 as well as the SiGMA Europe Awards 2023. This achievement persisted with the Esports Operator of the Year accolade at the EGR Global Operator Awards 2024, succeeded by Operator of the Year for Central and Eastern Europe at the EGR Global Europe Awards 2025.

Serhii, Head of Affiliates at GG.BET, added: “We’re pleased to launch our partnership with CasinoCanada. Their strong regional expertise and engaged audience make them a valuable partner for us. We see great potential in this cooperation to strengthen GG.BET’s presence in the region and build long-term growth together.”

The post CasinoCanada and GG.BET Forge Strategic Alliance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGLC

Continent 8 set to back Alberta’s iGaming operators and suppliers

Published

1 day ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

continent-8-set-to-back-alberta’s-igaming-operators-and-suppliers

Continent 8 Technologies, a premier provider of advanced managed IT solutions tailored for the worldwide iGaming and online sports betting sector, announces its official launch in Alberta, Canada. This growth comes after the province unveiled its competitive iGaming regulatory framework and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) issued comprehensive hosting and security requirements, representing another important milestone in Continent 8’s enduring dedication to the North American market.

With established operations in Ontario – where the company effectively introduced its Public Cloud solution in Toronto in direct response to the province’s launch of its iGaming market in 2022 – Continent 8 brings to Alberta the same level of regulatory insight, technical expertise, and customer-focused innovation that has positioned it as a reliable partner throughout Canada.

Alberta’s iGaming regulations outline specific hosting and data management responsibilities for suppliers and operators. For instance, every data centre utilized by licensees must obtain AGLC approval, which includes data residency, cross-border transfers, and encryption key management.

The province requires fully operational disaster recovery infrastructure and unalterable, encrypted backups, along with stringent conditions for quarterly testing and offsite storage—fields where Continent 8’s expertise offers instant benefits.

Besides hosting requirements, Alberta implements some of the most thorough security standards in the nation, such as mandatory MFA, compliance with SOC 2 and ISO 27001, yearly penetration testing, and extensive log retention mandates.

“Our heritage means we understand the rigorous regulatory expectations, and the operational challenges operators and suppliers face when entering new markets,” said Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies. “Alberta’s standards are comprehensive, particularly around disaster recovery, backups, and security. We have built our solutions so customers can meet these requirements confidently from day one. We are excited to support customers as Alberta opens its market and continues Canada’s growth story.”

The post Continent 8 set to back Alberta’s iGaming operators and suppliers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.