Canada

CGA Update: More of Canada’s Gaming Industry Opens

Published

4 years ago

July 29, 2020

The Canadian Gaming Association extends a warm welcome back to operators and employees as more of Canada’s gaming industry re-opens!

SIGA

Congratulations to the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), which operates seven of Saskatchewan’s nine casinos, on a successful re-opening earlier this month.

Manitoba

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

After being closed down for more than four months, casinos in Manitoba will be allowed to re-open this week.

The new plan proposes casinos may re-open with a maximum occupancy of 30% including staff.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) will be able to open the Club Regent Casino, the McPhillips Station Casino, and the Shark Club Gaming Centre on Wednesday, July 29.
Loto-Québec

Loto-Québec began to gradually re-open its facilities on July 3 in a staggered schedule, with operations adjusted to comply with physical distancing and health and safety standards. Network bingo, VLT and Kinzo network, Hilton Lac-Leamy, Casino de Charlevois, Casino de Mont-Tremblant, Québec and Trois-Rivières gaming halls most recently Casino du Lac Leamy have re-opened. Only the Casino de Montréal remains to open on August 3.
In Ontario, while most regions with casinos have been given permission to re-open, the current indoor capacity limit of 50 doesn’t make this economically viable. The CGA is working with all Ontario operators to propose a pod-based plan to the provincial government that would allow facilities to open with multiple pods of 50 (average 6-7) with robust health and safety measures in place.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Update

Last week Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced proposed changes to the CEWS that would broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support so that more workers can return to their jobs quickly as the economy restarts. Proposed changes included in the Government’s draft legislative proposals would, among others:

Allow the extension of the CEWS until December 19, 2020, including redesigned program details until November 21, 2020.
Make the subsidy accessible to a broader range of employers by including employers with a revenue decline of less than 30% and providing a gradually decreasing base subsidy to all qualifying employers.
Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25% for employers that have been most adversely affected by the pandemic.
Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they would not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have had under the previous rules.

Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Atlantic Lottery Corporation Inc. v. Babstock

The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) applauds the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision not to allow a class action lawsuit about video lottery terminals (VLTs) to go forward.

The Court’s decision can be found here.

The CGA was granted intervenor status in 2019 in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation Inc. v. Babstock in support of the appellants, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and its VLT and software suppliers and was represented by McCarthy Tétrault LLP.

The Court unanimously echoed a couple of the CGA’s key submissions, and we are pleased the association was able to support our industry, and that the perspective of the Canadian gaming community was taken into account so that the Supreme Court was able to release a principled decision that benefits the industry as a whole.

Brandon Kain, Partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, who successfully defended our industry, had these insights to share:

“For the CGA and its members, the most significant outcome of this decision is the Court’s narrow reading of the offence-creating provisions of the Criminal Code. The Court unanimously rejected the plaintiffs’ proposed interpretation, which would have made all VLTs and similar gaming offerings legally suspect. CGA members can also take comfort in the Court’s conclusions with respect to disgorgement, breach of contract, and good faith. Each of these will make it difficult or impossible for plaintiffs to certify class actions based on allegations that a gaming offering somehow did not provide players with what they paid for, without establishing – or at least asserting – that the players suffered a legally compensable loss as a consequence.”

Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app

Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

bally’s-interactive-launches-the-new-bally-bet-sportsbook-&-casino-app-in-ontario

Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.

The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.

“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.

BCLC

Be #GiftSmart: Scratch the Idea of Gifting Scratch & Win Tickets to Kids

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

be-#giftsmart:-scratch-the-idea-of-gifting-scratch-&-win-tickets-to-kids

BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season

With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.

“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”

While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.

“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”

In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.

“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:

Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.

AGCO

Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

jackpot-digital-receives-approval-from-agco-as-a-registered-gaming-supplier

Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.

This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.

Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.

“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.