Canada
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Releases Report on Impact of Interactive Gaming in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Penn State University (PSU), and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) released the first-of-its-kind report analyzing the impact of Interactive Gaming, also referred to as online gambling or iGaming, in Pennsylvania.
“This report will assist DDAP in its mission to assess and address how gambling behaviors impact compulsive and problem gambling within the commonwealth. We want to ensure we are offering all the resources we can at the state level to anyone who may be experiencing problem gambling behaviors. Knowing the current iGaming trends in the state will help DDAP make informed decisions and help to spread awareness that treatment and resources are available to help when this recreational hobby becomes a more serious problem,” Jen Smith, Secretary of DDAP, said.
Under Act 42 of 2017, which legalized interactive gaming in Pennsylvania, DDAP is required to complete an assessment and report on the impact of interactive gaming in the commonwealth. This was the first year for the completion of the assessment and report compilation. Funding for this report is provided by law through fees the PGCB assesses from interactive gaming licensees.
“Penn State and the Criminal Justice Research Center is enthusiastic about this partnership with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. By collecting these data on a yearly basis, we can ensure an accurate understanding of the impact of this policy change on our Pennsylvania communities. If interventions are required, this assessment will help to guide a data-driven response,” Dr. Glenn Sterner, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Penn State University, said.
The findings of this report were generated from a survey of more than 1100 individuals across Pennsylvania throughout 2020-21 and indicate:
- Approximately 1 in 10 Pennsylvanians engage in interactive gaming.
- The most popular interactive gaming is sports betting and nearly half of all who participate in interactive gaming are engaged in sports betting.
- Nearly half of all those who engage in interactive gaming exhibit at least one problem gambling behavior.
“The findings of the report emphasize the PGCB’s long-standing priority in assisting individuals who develop compulsive gambling issues including our efforts to provide information and effective tools such as the PGCB’s Self-Exclusion programs. I also believe that findings in this and subsequent reports can provide critical information to prevention professionals and to those in the treatment community who are assisting individuals on their path to recovery,” Elizabeth Lanza, Director of the PGCB’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, said.
Gambling, even through legal avenues, becomes a problem when individuals begin to develop strained relationships with loved ones, borrow money to gamble, gamble to experience a high or feeling, miss work, school, or other activities and obligations in order to gamble. These behaviors can have a serious impact on a person’s financial, physical, and mental health. Other symptoms of problem gambling include trying to hide or lying about gambling, using gambling as an escape to avoid dealing with other problems, and feeling like the habit is out of control but being unable to stop.
Pennsylvania’s Self-Exclusion Program allows an individual to request to be excluded from legalized gaming activities including iGaming and those within a casino and offsite venues. More information on the program and ways to identify problem gambling can be found through the PGCB’s website specific to its efforts in compulsive and problem gaming.
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Acquisitions/Merger
Great Canadian Entertainment and Semiahmoo First Nation Announce Purchase and Sale Agreement for Elements Casino Surrey
Great Canadian Entertainment and the SE-MI-AH-MU Development Corporation, the economic development arm of Semiahmoo First Nation (SE-MI-AH-MU) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase by SE-MI-AH-MU from Great Canadian of Elements Casino Surrey.
Great Canadian’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction, which remains subject to financial commitments, customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by the regulatory authorities and the City of Surrey, which owns the underlying real property at Elements Casino Surrey. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the Company will provide transition services to SE-MI-AH-MU for up to one year post-closing.
“Today’s announcement marks the eighth agreement we have executed with B.C.-based First Nations for the sale of our B.C. operations. We are thrilled that the Semiahmoo First Nation is eager to enter the province’s casino sector with the purchase of Elements Casino Surrey. Our next step will be to continue to work with the SE-MI-AH-MU team to timely close this transaction and then work with SE-MI-AH-MU and the Elements Casino Surrey team members for long term success,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian.
“This acquisition represents an important step forward in strengthening economic opportunity for Semiahmoo First Nation and reaffirming our presence within our traditional territory as a strong and capable business entity. Through this new venture, we look forward to creating meaningful benefits for our people, supporting employment opportunities in the region, and contributing to the long-term well-being and prosperity of our community,” said Chief Harley Chappell of Semiahmoo First Nation.
McMillan is serving as legal counsel to Great Canadian and Munnings Law is serving as legal counsel to SE-MI-AH-MU.
The post Great Canadian Entertainment and Semiahmoo First Nation Announce Purchase and Sale Agreement for Elements Casino Surrey appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Canada
Wazdan taps Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to strengthen Ontario market
Wazdan, the top developer focused on gaming, has initiated its collaboration with Green Brick Labs (GBL) following the launch of several of its titles with Maverick Games, the well-known operator based in Ontario.
The agreement entails an initial selection of Wazdan’s best-performing titles being launched with Maverick Games through an integration from GBL’s seamless aggregation platform, featuring Mighty Fish
: Blue Marlin, 36 Coins
, Mighty Wild
: Panther Grand Diamond Edition, and Mighty Wild
: Gorilla.
After Wazdan’s recently disclosed alliance with GBL, the quickly developing North American platform provider, the partnership has now made significant progress by launching with Maverick Games, featuring its extensive slot collection and sportsbook services.
Wazdan’s captivating games and interaction-enhancing features, such as Cash to Infinity
, Sticky to Infinity
, and the Hold the Jackpot
bonus game, are poised to enhance Maverick Games’ collection as it aims for greater growth across North America.
Wazdan’s newest collaboration highlights the studio’s goal to further establish itself in regulated iGaming markets globally, offering players cutting-edge slot experiences.
Magdalena Wojdyla, Head of Account Management at Wazdan, said: “Going live with Maverick Games through our partnership with GBL marks an exciting moment for Wazdan in Ontario.
“Our innovative titles and engagement-boosting features are designed to deliver memorable experiences for players, and we are confident this collaboration will help Maverick Games strengthen its position in one of North America’s most dynamic markets.”
James Gummerson, UX/UI and Product Manager at Green Brick Labs, said: “We are thrilled to launch our collaboration with Wazdan.
“Our mission is to connect operators with world-class content quickly and seamlessly, and this launch demonstrates how our technology helps accelerate growth for both suppliers and operators in North American markets.”
The post Wazdan taps Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to strengthen Ontario market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Canada
Wazdan launches Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to expand Ontario reach
Wazdan, the leading-gain focused developer, has launched its partnership with Green Brick Labs (GBL) after taking a series of its titles live with Maverick Games, the established Ontario-based operator.
The deal will see an initial pool of Wazdan’s top-performing releases launch with Maverick Games via an integration from GBL’s seamless aggregation platform, including Mighty Fish
: Blue Marlin, 36 Coins
, Mighty Wild
: Panther Grand Diamond Edition and Mighty Wild
: Gorilla.
Following Wazdan’s recently announced partnership with GBL, the rapidly emerging North American platform provider, the collaboration has now taken its first major steps after going live with Maverick Games with its comprehensive slot portfolio and sportsbook offering.
Wazdan’s immersive titles and engagement-boosting mechanics, featuring the likes of Cash to Infinity
, Sticky to Infinity
and the Hold the Jackpot
bonus game, are set to further elevate Maverick Games’ portfolio as it seeks increased expansion throughout North America.
Wazdan’s latest partnership underlines the studio’s ambitions of continuing to gain ground in regulated iGaming territories worldwide, providing players with state-of-the-art slot experiences.
Magdalena Wojdyla, Head of Account Management at Wazdan, said: “Going live with Maverick Games through our partnership with GBL marks an exciting moment for Wazdan in Ontario.
“Our innovative titles and engagement-boosting features are designed to deliver memorable experiences for players, and we are confident this collaboration will help Maverick Games strengthen its position in one of North America’s most dynamic markets.”
James Gummerson, UX/UI and Product Manager at Green Brick Labs, said: “We are thrilled to launch our collaboration with Wazdan.
“Our mission is to connect operators with world-class content quickly and seamlessly, and this launch demonstrates how our technology helps accelerate growth for both suppliers and operators in North American markets.”
The post Wazdan launches Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to expand Ontario reach appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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