Canada

Canterbury Park Announces Phased Reopening Plan for Resumption of Operations

Published

5 years ago

June 11, 2020

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation announced that the live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing season at Canterbury Park begun on Wednesday, June 10, following unanimous approval from the Minnesota Racing Commission (“MRC”). Pursuant to an Emergency Executive Order issued on Friday, June 8 by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Canterbury Park will be able to accommodate a limited number of spectators during live racing and resume simulcast wagering operations on June 10. The MRC also approved an amendment to the existing cooperative marketing and purse agreement between Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (“SMSC”) in support of the upcoming race meet. In addition, the Company anticipates all table games in the Company’s Card Casino will resume Monday, June 15 with initial capacity limitations.

“We are delighted to announce the initial reopening of operations at Canterbury Park beginning with the start of our live racing season and the resumption of simulcast operations this Wednesday as we continue our longstanding support of horse racing in Minnesota,” said Randy Sampson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canterbury Park. “We are appreciative of Governor Walz’ recent Executive Action which allows for a limited number of spectators for our live racing and simulcast operations and also paves the way for the anticipated partial resumption of our Card Casino operations early next week. Our team has worked diligently with state officials, the MRC and the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association to prepare for the 2020 meet, which will feature 52 days of live racing Monday through Thursday between June 10 and September 16.

“We are also pleased to have entered into an amendment to our cooperative marketing and purse agreement with SMSC which provides support for the live race meet that is critical to the horsemen and the Minnesota racing industry,” Mr. Sampson said. “Live racing and pari-mutuel wagering, which will be closely followed by our Card Casino, are the first steps in our phased reopening of Canterbury Park following the state-mandated shutdown in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We plan to approach all of our re-opened operations with a measured, safety-first approach as we implement a variety of sanitation and social distancing protocols designed to promote the safety of our team members, customers and patrons, the horsemen and the horses.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire leadership team, I look forward to welcoming our team members, horsemen and guests back to the property this week. Canterbury Park is an economic engine for the greater Shakopee area. The return of live racing with limited spectators and the resumption of activities, although limited, in our race book and Card Casino are but the first steps in releasing the full power of that engine. We are committed to safely resuming our role in the growth of the community through our unique brand of entertainment as well as through our ongoing development of Canterbury Commons.”

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Canterbury Park has implemented a comprehensive array of protocols for social distancing, sanitization and safety.

About Canterbury Park:

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation owns and operates Canterbury Park Racetrack and Card Casino in Shakopee, Minnesota, the only thoroughbred and quarter horse racing facility in the State. The Company typically offers live racing from May to September. The Card Casino typically hosts card games 24 hours a day, seven days a week, dealing both poker and table games. The Company also typically conducts year-round wagering on simulcast horse racing and generally hosts a variety of other entertainment and special events at its Shakopee facility. The Company is redeveloping 140 acres of underutilized land surrounding the Racetrack in a project know as Canterbury Commons. The Company is pursuing several mixed-use development opportunities for this land, directly and through joint ventures. For more information about the Company, please visit www.canterburypark.com.

SOURCE Canterbury Park Holding Corporation

AGCO

Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license

Published

3 hours ago

April 7, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

playnetic-granted-ontario-supplier-license

Global B2B iGaming content provider secures first Canadian market entry following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application

Playnetic, the in-demand global B2B iGaming content provider known for its quality games, reliable delivery and outstanding customer service, has announced the approval of its gaming-related supplier application by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

With the AGCO licensing process being recognised in the industry for its rigorous standards and thorough due diligence, the new certification confirms Playnetic was able to meet the high levels of integrity and regulatory compliance needed to legally distribute its content within the province.

As a result of the approval, Playnetic has now secured its first Canadian market entry and will be able to provide its library of innovative games to licensed operators in the Ontario region – with this starting point paving the way for further expansion into other regulated provinces in future.

Given signs of change emerging within the Canadian market and Alberta making progress toward a regulated online model – likely drawing from Ontario’s framework – this license positions Playnetic strongly to expand its footprint in the country and further solidifies the company’s ambitious growth plans.

In the meantime, Playnetic has already begun making groundwork with key operators in the Ontario region and is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months. The company will also be attending SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit from June 17-19, where both existing and new potential partners alike are welcome to stop by and meet the team.

Dan Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Playnetic, said: “Acquiring AGCO approval for our gaming-related supplier application is undoubtedly a big step for Playnetic. The new license not only secures our first Canadian market entry, but also reaffirms Playnetic’s position as a trusted provider in iGaming and underlines our commitment to compliance and operational excellence.”

Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “We’re very excited to now be in a position to offer our library of innovative gaming content in Ontario, and the groundwork to do that with some of the region’s biggest licensed operators is already underway. Over time, we’re confident this license will also help us expand further into current markets and emerging regulated provinces, such as Alberta.”

The post Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

BetVictor

BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign

Published

1 week ago

March 31, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

betvictor-canada-launches-tracy-mcgrady-safer-gambling-campaign

BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.

Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.

To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.

The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.

Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.

“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”

The post BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

AGCO

AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers

Published

1 week ago

March 31, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

agco-issues-$110,000-in-penalties-to-betmgm-canada-for-offering-cash-to-induce-new-gambling-customers

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.

In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).

Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.

A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.

QUOTE

“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”

Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:

1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.

Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:

a)	On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15.

b)	On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”.

c)	On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”.