Canada

Why Nova Scotia Won’t Ban Problem Gamblers from Casinos

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2022

The Nova Scotia government won’t ban problem gamblers from going to the province’s casinos. The decision was announced on Monday, following an online survey in which the government asked Nova Scotians if it should ban people who don’t want to gamble from casinos and slot facilities. The government says 86 per cent of the 3,000 people who responded said no; 15 per cent said yes and one per cent didn’t know or refused to answer.

However, Health Minister Leo Glavine also said that, if a problem gambler has gambling problems, the matter should be dealt with through the justice system or addiction services.

A brief history of gambling in Canada

Gambling has been a part of Canadian culture for centuries, with many Canadians taking part in different forms of gambling including lotteries and casinos. However, as gambling becomes more accessible, an increasing number of Canadians are developing gambling problems. This led to the introduction of Bill C-290, which proposed stricter regulations on the industry to protect problem gamblers. The bill was passed unanimously by Parliament but was never fully implemented due to a lack of funding.

Gambling in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has long been known as the center of gambling in Canada and is home to over 1,000 slot machines. A recent push from anti-gambling groups to ban problem gamblers from entering casinos was dismissed by Premier Stephen McNeil as they believe it would be a violation of their freedom. In place of this, they have created a voluntary exclusion program that would allow people who are struggling with gambling addiction to voluntarily exclude themselves from casinos. Many online casinos that legally operate in Nova Scotia also welcome any one willing to bet.

Gambling addiction facts

Problem gambling is a serious and persistent public health problem. About 1-3% of the population has a gambling addiction, which means there are about 250,000 people in Canada who need help. It’s estimated that about 10% of the population gambles at any one time, but this doesn’t mean they’re all addicted to it.

Gambling disorder is considered an impulse control disorder like other impulse control disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and pathological gambling. Gambling disorder can be difficult to diagnose because gamblers may not be aware they have a problem until their life is impacted negatively by their behavior.

In general, provinces regulate casinos, but municipalities can create bylaws that prohibit or restrict casino development on their territory.

The connection between problem gamblers and casinos

Problem gamblers can be defined as people who spend an excessive amount of money on gambling or individuals who have trouble controlling their gambling behavior. There are many different factors that contribute to the development of a problem gambler, but it is often believed that spending time in a casino increases the risk for developing these behaviors.

Casinos are designed to make gambling more enticing by providing a variety of options and rewarding players with freebies. The layout of casinos contributes to this too – they are laid out so that slot machines and table games surround the player, which makes it difficult for them to leave without passing by even more gambling opportunities. The tendency of casinos to offer customers easy access to everything they want at any hour also encourages longer play sessions and worsens gambling addiction.

How can we solve this problem?

Nova Scotia should consider introducing a self-exclusion program that would allow people to voluntarily ban themselves from casinos. This would make sense because casinos are the only place problem gamblers can legally gamble. They also offer other forms of entertainment such as live music, movies, and restaurants.

Self-exclusion programs have proven effective in other countries with gambling addiction issues, so this could be a good way to stop problem gambling while allowing those who don’t have an issue to enjoy themselves.

Problem gamblers and online casino

Problem gamblers are no different than alcoholics or drug addicts, but the stigma around gambling addiction is much less. These people need help and support just like any other addict would. Banning them from casinos doesn’t mean they won’t continue to gamble; it just means they will do it in private and without help.

The government needs to focus on prevention and rehabilitation for this issue, not punishment. The focus should be on those who suffer from a gambling addiction rather than those who don’t. We know there’s going to be more at-risk populations if we don’t offer some sort of service, said Smith. If you’re doing harm reduction, then let’s look at those folks first.

In summary

Nova Scotia’s gambling regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Authority of Nova Scotia (AGANS), has said that it will not ban problem gamblers from casinos. The decision comes after a recent report by the provincial government found that an estimated 11% of casino patrons are problem gamblers, up from 7% five years ago.

There is no evidence that banning these people from casinos would reduce their gaming activity. Rather than banning them, AGANS has chosen to implement a self-exclusion program where problem gamblers can voluntarily sign themselves out.

A self-exclusion program has been in place at the Casino Nova Scotia since 2006.

Canada

Peter & Sons Goes Live in Ontario with Ellipse Entertainment

Published

11 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

peter-&-sons-goes-live-in-ontario-with-ellipse-entertainment

Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons has strengthened its North American footprint by launching its portfolio in Ontario through a new partnership with Ellipse Entertainment, a fully licensed operator in the province.

The collaboration marks another step in the studio’s international expansion, bringing its distinctive slot titles to one of the most dynamic regulated markets in North America. Players in Ontario can now access Peter & Sons’ games via HighFlyerCasino.com, Ellipse Entertainment’s flagship platform designed specifically for the local market.

Entering a Key Regulated Market

Ontario has quickly established itself as a leading jurisdiction for regulated iGaming, attracting both operators and content providers seeking long-term growth opportunities. With a strong regulatory framework and a growing player base, the province offers a stable environment for companies looking to scale their presence in North America.

By partnering with Ellipse Entertainment, Peter & Sons gains access to a platform that prioritizes compliance, security, and user experience. HighFlyerCasino.com combines a wide-ranging portfolio of casino content with a seamless interface tailored to local players, ensuring a high-quality gaming experience.

Distinctive Content Meets Local Demand

Peter & Sons has built a reputation for delivering unconventional slot experiences, characterized by indie-inspired visuals, imaginative storytelling, and highly detailed game worlds. Its portfolio stands out in a crowded market, appealing to players looking for something beyond traditional slot design.

The launch in Ontario introduces these unique titles to a broader audience, aligning with increasing demand for diverse and engaging content within regulated markets. As competition intensifies, distinctive game design has become a key differentiator for studios aiming to capture player attention and retention.

Building a Long-Term Partnership

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to delivering premium entertainment within a trusted regulatory environment. Both companies are focused on creating value for players while ensuring compliance with Ontario’s gaming standards.

Yann Bautista, Founder and Commercial Director at Peter & Sons, said:

“We are delighted to launch our portfolio with Ellipse Entertainment and bring our games to players in Ontario. The region has quickly established itself as a key regulated market in North America, and HighFlyerCasino.com provides a strong platform for introducing our distinctive titles to Canadian audiences.”

Larry Galansky, Founder of Ellipse Entertainment, added:

“We are pleased to welcome Peter & Sons to our platform as we continue expanding our entertainment offering. Their games are known for their artistic style and engaging gameplay, and we are confident they will resonate strongly with our audience.”

As the Ontario market continues to grow, partnerships like this highlight the importance of combining innovative content with reliable distribution platforms. For Peter & Sons, the move represents a strategic step toward strengthening its global reach while delivering its unique gaming experiences to new audiences.

The post Peter & Sons Goes Live in Ontario with Ellipse Entertainment appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

Peter & Sons Goes Live in Ontario with Ellipse Entertainment

Published

11 hours ago

March 27, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons has strengthened its presence in the Canadian market after launching its portfolio with Ellipse Entertainment, a fully licensed operator in Ontario.

Ellipse Entertainment operates within the province’s regulated gaming framework and provides players with access to its flagship platform HighFlyerCasino.com. The site combines a diverse portfolio of casino titles with a secure, seamless, and fully compliant gaming experience tailored specifically for players in the Ontario market.

Ontario has rapidly emerged as one of North America’s most progressive regulated iGaming jurisdictions. Players across the province can now enjoy a selection of Peter & Sons titles through HighFlyerCasino.com, bringing the studio’s distinctive game worlds and mechanics to a growing audience of Canadian players.

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 Ellipse Entertainment. a platform committed to delivering premium gaming experiences within a trusted regulatory environment, the studio looks forward to building a long-term partnership in the Ontario market.

Yann Bautista, Peter & Sons Founder and Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted to launch our portfolio with Ellipse Entertainment and bring our games to players in Ontario. The region has quickly established itself as a key regulated market in North America, and HighFlyerCasino.com provides a strong platform for introducing our distinctive titles to Canadian audiences.”

Larry Galansky, founder of Ellipse Entertainment added: “We are pleased to welcome Peter & Sons to our platform as we continue expanding the entertainment offering available to our players. Their games are known for their distinctive artistic style and engaging gameplay, and we are confident they will resonate strongly with our audience.”

The post Peter & Sons Goes Live in Ontario with Ellipse Entertainment appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Group Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Revenues

Published

3 days ago

March 24, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

bragg-gaming-group-reports-record-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2025-revenues

Bragg Gaming Group has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights:

• Revenue Growth: Record total quarterly revenue of €27.7 million in the fourth quarter:

• Revenue increase of 5.1% (excluding The Netherlands) compared to the prior year period in 2024;

• The Netherlands revenue decreased 4.6% year-over-year due to the market’s overall contraction caused by increased regulation and higher taxes;

• Brazil revenue increased 42.1% compared to the 2024 fourth quarter with continued growth in provider onboarding; and

• US recurring revenue grew 55.0% year-over-year, driven by expanded high-margin proprietary content footprint; and

• Including the impact of The Netherlands, total revenue grew 1.9% year-over-year.

• Operating Loss, Net Loss and Adjusted EBITDA: Operating loss for the quarter was €0.1 million, a €0.6 million improvement from an operating loss of €0.7 million in the same period of 2024. Net loss for the quarter was €1.3 million, or €0.05 per common share, compared to €0.7 million, or €0.03 per common share, in the same period of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the 2025 fourth quarter was €4.6 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 16.5%), compared to €4.7 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 17.2%) in Q4-2024.

• Strategic Market Expansion in the US and Brazil: Expanded U.S. content footprint through the launch of its exclusive and bespoke online casino content with Caesars Entertainment in West Virginia. Bragg also launched exclusive and aggregated content with several valued clients operating in Brazil (and other key LatAm jurisdictions), including Brazino777, Blaze, and Super Technologies.

Full Year 2025 Financial Highlights:

• Revenue Growth: Record total annual revenue of €106.1 million in 2025, an increase of 4.0% compared to €102.0 in the year ended December 31, 2024.

• Operating Loss, Net Loss and Adjusted EBITDA: Operating loss for 2025 was €5.3 million, compared to €3.5 million in 2024. Net loss for 2025 was €8.1 million, or €0.32 per common share, compared to €5.1 million, or €0.21 per common share, in 2024. Full year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA was €16.6 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 15.6%), compared to €15.8 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 15.5%) in 2024.

• Balance Sheet Strength: During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company fully repaid a US$7.0 million secured promissory note and entered into a financing agreement with a Tier One Canadian financial institution for certain revolving credit facilities in a maximum aggregate amount of up to US$6.0 million, replacing its prior debt at less than half the borrowing cost. During the second half of the year, the Company drew C$4.5 million in principal and US$1.1 million in overdraft in respect of Term CORRA loans. Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025 amounted to €6.7 million.

Fourth Quarter 2025 and Recent Business Highlights:

• Bolstered Leadership Team: Appointed Morten Tonnesen as its new Chief Operating Officer and promoted Garrick Morris to the position of Executive Vice President of Global Content, US & Canada.

• Player Account Management (PAM) Expansion in Europe: Announced the extension of its existing PAM platform agreement with valued client 711.nl to include the regulated Belgian iGaming market, with potential for future Bragg-powered online casino launches in additional regulated or newly regulating iGaming markets. Also, extended its existing PAM agreement with Entain Plc (LSE: ENTL), one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups for BetCity.nl, a leading Dutch market operator, and with Senator Group, an online casino market leader in Croatia.

• Finnish Market Liberalization Preparations: Signed a comprehensive PAM platform and turnkey solution agreement with SuomiVeto, a market entrant led by the successful founders of BetCity.nl, focused on positioning SuomiVeto as a leading operator, and Bragg as a leading supplier, in the newly regulated Finnish iGaming market when it launches. The market is scheduled to “go live” for private operators on July 1, 2027.

• Ambitious Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transformation Plan: Leapt into an “AI-First” future by initiating the development of the Bragg AI Brain, a data-driven artificial intelligence engine designed to power smarter decisions and intelligent products across the Bragg’s Ecosystem. The transformation plan is underpinned by clear 2027 targets, including ensuring an AI-Enhanced Product becomes standard in over 90% of all launches and having more than three-quarters of Bragg’s operational workflows impacted by AI.

• Strategic Restructuring to Reduce Cost Structure and Improve Operating Performance: Announced a strategic restructuring, including an approximately 12% reduction of global workforce, designed to realign the organization and thereby improve its overall cost structure, drive its EBITDA growth, and shorten the time required for it to achieve sustained net profitability. The Company expects to incur restructuring costs related to this action of approximately €1.0 million associated with personnel-related termination costs in the first quarter of 2026, and it anticipates annualized cash savings from its staff reductions and other restructuring efforts to be approximately €4.5 million. This amount does not include the expected positive impact of the Company’s initiative to the Bragg AI Brain to drive cost efficiencies and improve operational excellence.

• Greater Board of Directors Alignment with Shareholders: From January 1, 2026, fees are being paid to directors exclusively in deferred share units (DSUs) on a monthly basis (with no cash alternative).

Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg, said: “We continued to execute well, delivering record revenues, strategic expansion and important AI and restructuring initiatives. We believe this positions Bragg well for 2026 and beyond to: increase our overall content market share in Brazil and the United States; pursue emerging alternative markets, such as Historical and Live Racing and Prediction Markets; move into new jurisdictions that offer opportunities for higher margin content business; deliver enhanced operational leverage; meet our goals to streamline internal processes; enhance overall efficiency across our organization; protect our cash runway; and advance us further along the path toward EBITDA growth and net profitability.”

Board Changes

The Company also announced the appointment of Thomas Winter to its Board of Directors. Mr. Winter succeeds Kent Young, who has retired from the Board. Both changes to the Bragg Board are effective immediately.

Mr. Winter brings deep knowledge of and experience in the iGaming and wagering industry. Currently a Board Member of Rush Street Interactive, which through its brands, BetRivers, PlaySugarHouse and RushBet, was an early entrant in several regulated jurisdictions, Mr. Winter began his career in the gaming sector nearly two decades ago and has since established himself as a leader in the field. In 2013, he founded Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG), where he served as President. Under his leadership, GNOG became a top online gaming operator in New Jersey, achieving significant market share and recognition, went public and was later successfully sold for over $1.5 billion to DraftKings, where he developed their multi-brand online casino strategy and led their online casino business until September 2023. Before founding GNOG, he was the CEO and director of Betclic, a major European online sports betting and gaming operator, and Expekt, a pioneer brand in the online gaming industry, within the Betclic Group. Mr. Winter played a key role as COO at both businesses before being appointed CEO.

“I would like to thank Kent for his many contributions to the Company. I am also very pleased to welcome Thomas to our team. Moving forward, the Board and management team will be steadfast in our aim to close the clear and persistent gap between the Company’s public market valuation and our assessment of its intrinsic value. To that end, as Thomas is a gaming industry luminary who has earned my deep personal admiration and great professional respect, I am confident that he will be a tremendous asset to our Board and to our shareholders,” said Holly Gagnon, Chair of the Bragg Board.

2026 Outlook

The Company anticipates full year 2026 revenue between €97.0 million and €104.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA of €16.0 million to €19.0 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 16.0% to 18.0%).

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