Canada
PlayIllinois.com: Illinois sport-betting makes history by reaching $300 million in single month
Illinois is off to the fastest start in the history of U.S. legal sports betting, according to analysts for PlayIllinois. Illinois released official data on Friday, showing that sportsbooks generated $305.2 million in bets in September, making the Prairie State the fourth state to surpass $300 million in sports bets in a single month and the first to reach the milestone so quickly after launching.
“Illinois’ launch in July came just as U.S. major sports returned to action, and that may have helped hypercharge the market,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst at PlayIllinois.com. “Pent-up demand is expected to fuel a new market, but Illinois has been able to capitalize on the additional demand that has been unleashed after sports were shut down this spring. It’s been a perfect storm for sportsbook operators.”
Buoyed by an unprecedented schedule of U.S. major sports in September, a bevy of operator launches, and a continuation of remote registration, Illinois established its place as the fourth-largest sports betting market in the United States by more than doubling its monthly handle from $140.1 million in August.
Joining Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania as the only states with a handle of more than $300 million in any one month, Illinois reached the mark in just its third month after launch. By comparison:
- New Jersey surpassed $300 million for the first time in its sixth month after launch, and fourth month after launching online betting, when it tallied $330.7 million in November 2018.
- Pennsylvania hit $300 million in its 13th month after launch, and sixth month after launching online betting, when it tallied $316.5 million in November 2019.
Illinois’ September handle easily topped neighbor Indiana for the first time in September, which itself set a state record with $207.5 million in bets for the month, and Colorado, which generated $207.7 million.
Pennsylvania, the nation’s third-largest market and the most populous state with full-scale online sports betting, collected $462.8 million in September. The Keystone State, home to 12.8 million people, offers a strong comparison with Illinois, with its population of about 12.7 million.
“Pennsylvania gives Illinois a nice barometer for how the market is doing, and so far, Illinois is off to a much faster start,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “The ingredients for Illinois’ rapid expansion have been pretty simple so far: It is a huge market launching under unique circumstances. As long as remote registration continues there will be no single legal market more attractive for operators.”
September’s bets yielded $6.8 million in adjusted gross revenue statewide, down from $7.2 million in August, resulting in a $1.1 million into state coffers. Boosted by the continuation of remote registration — which has been extended through Dec. 12 — online bets at the state’s five online sportsbooks accounted for 97%, or $283.1 million, of September’s handle.
BetRivers/Rivers Casino, which has dominated the market so far, led the market again with $112.7 million in overall handle, including $98.6 million online. But FanDuel and DraftKings, the two largest sportsbook operators in the country, both gained ground in their first full month of operation in Illinois. DraftKings/Casino Queen rose to $98.3 million in bets, including $95.9 million online. FanDuel/Par-A-Dice Casino collected $78.6 million in bets, including $78.4 million online.
“DraftKings and FanDuel will continue to put pressure on BetRivers, which has really taken advantage of its early start in the market,” Welman said. “That should be an interesting race to watch over the next few months. The bottom line, though, is that the more top-flight operators that launch, the healthier and more mature the market will become.”
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Barbarossa Dragon Empire
Peter & Sons Expands Ontario Footprint with Major Casino Time Content Deal
Peter & Sons, the innovative iGaming studio known for its signature artistic flair, has secured a landmark content agreement with Casino Time, a leading homegrown operator in Ontario.
Delivered through Light & Wonder’s premier aggregation platform, the partnership brings Peter & Sons’ library of indie-inspired titles to CasinoTime.ca. This move aligns with Casino Time’s strategy to consolidate its market-leading position as it expands its offerings from slots, live casino, and bingo into a soon-to-launch sportsbook.
Pushing Boundaries in the Ontario Market
Ontario has rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic and regulated iGaming jurisdictions in North America. Through this deal, local players gain access to Peter & Sons’ most successful recent launches and seasonal hits:
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Barbarossa Dragon Empire: The high-stakes third installment in the studio’s flagship franchise. This Asian-themed sequel features the “Multiplier Cannon” and a massive 40,000x win potential.
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Zombie Road: A post-apocalyptic adventure on a 5×3 grid with 243 ways to win, featuring cascading reels and persistent multipliers that can reach 20,000x.
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Bad Santa: A subversive, gothic-horror take on the holiday season, utilizing a Scatter Pays system and “Multiplier Jumps” for a high-volatility experience.
A Shared Vision for High-Art Gaming
Peter & Sons has carved out a unique niche in the industry by blending meticulous game mechanics with world-class art and storytelling. Partnering with Casino Time—an operator celebrated for its Canadian heritage and focus on premium player experiences—marks a significant milestone for the studio’s 2026 roadmap.
“Ontario has long been a major focus for us, and partnering with Casino Time marks an exciting milestone for our expansion,” said Yann Bautista, Founder and Commercial Director at Peter & Sons. “Their commitment to top-tier entertainment aligns perfectly with our bold vision.”
Jeffrey Holmes, COO of Casino Time, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Peter & Sons. Their distinctive artistic style and highly engaging gameplay represent a major step in expanding the premium entertainment we offer to our players.”
The post Peter & Sons Expands Ontario Footprint with Major Casino Time Content Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Barbarossa Dragon Empire
Peter & Sons Bolsters Ontario Presence with Landmark Casino Time Content Agreement
Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons is set to enhance its position in Ontario after signing a landmark content agreement with Casino Time, one of the region’s most respected operators.
The agreement, delivered in collaboration with Light & Wonder, represents a natural move for either party, with the operator’s flagship site CasinoTime.ca offering a broad selection of casino games including slots, live casino, and bingo. There are also plans afoot for a Casino Time-powered sportsbook as the site looks to consolidate its market-leading position and diversify its content offering.
Ontario has fast emerged as one of North America’s most dynamic, progressive iGaming regions. The state’s players can now enjoy a range of Peter & Sons fan favorites including the recent flagship launch Barbarossa Dragon Empire – the third installment in the popular series – along with seasonal offering Bad Santa and the undead antics of Zombie Road.
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 Casino Time – a platform celebrated for its proud Canadian heritage and commitment to delivering superior experiences – the studio looks forward to building a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.
Yann Bautista, Peter & Sons Founder and Commercial Director, said: “Ontario has long been a major focus for us, and partnering up with Casino Time marks an exciting milestone for our expansion in the region. Their commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment aligns perfectly with our bold vision, and we’re looking forward to sharing some of our most beloved titles with the Casino Time’s audience.”
Jeffrey Holmes, Chief Operating Officer of Casino Time added: “We are thrilled to partner with Peter & Sons, a studio renowned for its distinctive artistic style and highly engaging gameplay. As we continue to cement our leading position in the Ontario market, this agreement represents a major step in expanding the premium entertainment we offer to players.”
The post Peter & Sons Bolsters Ontario Presence with Landmark Casino Time Content Agreement appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Canada
Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack
Great Canadian Entertainment and a consortium group of certain communities from the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe, through an entity affiliated with Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd. (the “Ts’elxwéyeqw Group”), announced that on November 7th, 2025, they entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase by the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group from Great Canadian Entertainment of Elements Casino Chilliwack, one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia.
The Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe constitute seven First Nation communities and are the First People of the Chilliwack River watershed. The transaction represents a transformational milestone for the communities within the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group.
Elements Casino Chilliwack serves guests across the Fraser Valley and is Chilliwack’s top destination for gaming and entertainment, featuring over 300 slots, live and electronic table games, bingo, dining, live entertainment and more.
The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and the receipt of regulatory and other approvals. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Great Canadian Entertainment will continue to provide transitional services and support to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group for a period following closing.
“This purchase marks an exciting milestone for our Nations and for the entire territory. By coming together in partnership, we are not only investing in a strong business opportunity, but also in the future of our people. The revenues generated through this acquisition will help strengthen our communities, create new opportunities, and ensure our Nations continue to play a leading role in the local economy. Additionally, we believe that local community-based ownership of Elements Casino Chilliwack will further strengthen the broader Fraser Valley community and economy. It’s a proud moment that reflects how Indigenous leadership and collaboration can build a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone,” said Chief David Jimmie, Chief of Squiala First Nation and President of Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd.
“We are very excited to have entered into this agreement with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. We have had the privilege of being part of the Chilliwack community since we opened Elements Casino Chilliwack in 2012, and we believe that under the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group’s stewardship, the business will begin an exciting new chapter. For the team members and guests of Elements Casino Chilliwack, and the local community, we can think of no better owner for the business. We look forward to the closing and then working with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group team during the transition period,” said Matt Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian Entertainment.
McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal advisor and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. McMillan LLP is acting as legal advisor to Great Canadian Entertainment.
The post Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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