Canada

Wplay, Leading Operator of Colombian Online Gaming, Selects Nuvei for Latin American Market Expansion

Published

4 years ago

December 2, 2020

Nuvei continues to expand global acquiring presence across Latin America with strategic technology agreement

Colombia – Nuvei Corporation (“Nuvei” or the “Company”) (TSX: NVEI and NVEI.U), the payment technology partner of thriving brands, is proud to announce a deal with Wplay, a pioneer of online gaming in Latin America. Nuvei will provide the acquiring platform and technology to power Wplay’s Colombian payment operations and further fuel its expansion throughout Latin America.

Accountable for almost half of all online gaming revenue in Colombia, Wplay has integrated Nuvei’s Cashier. Providing access to more than 450 alternative payment methods, it enables Wplay to offer the options most popular with local gamers and bolster player acquisition and retention with faster, seamless payouts, while providing a frictionless user experience. The integration also allows Wplay to benefit from the Company’s value-added services, including fraud prevention and risk management solutions, through a single connection.

Wplay offers a wide range of betting services on its platform, including casino games, wagers on world events, and a sportsbook of more than 50 traditional sports. As a result of the agreement, users of these diverse services will be depositing and withdrawing their funds through Cashier, a product which reflects Nuvei’s extensive experience in the iGaming industry worldwide. In addition to Visa and Mastercard, users can take advantage of the Company’s wide portfolio of alternative methods that include PSE, Efecty, Baloto. Wplay users will also benefit from the Company’s real-time payout functionality for instant funding.

“Nuvei’s Cashier has proven to convert more, increase acceptance rates, while streamlining deposits and payouts. By accepting local debit and credit cards, plus local alternative payment options, Wplay can provide its users simple access to their preferred payment method,” said Yuval Ziv, Nuvei’s managing director of digital payments. “Further, our integrated risk management solutions and embedded eKYC features for quick player onboarding allow Wplay to maximize revenue while minimizing potential fraud.”

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The global online regulated gambling market has experienced a significant surge in recent years, growing at a rate of more than ten percent annually. Operators in Latin America particularly are seeing rapid growth in volumes, with KPMG research reporting that the segment is already worth over US $2.1 billion. Nuvei’s robust platform and industry expertise were key factors as Wplay prepares to further capitalize on the explosive growth of the segment throughout Latin America.

“This agreement with Nuvei will help us maintain the security and ease-of-use of our platform as we scale, upholding the level of service that our customers have come to expect,” said Julio César Tamayo, president of Wplay. “Now that we’re working with a globally-recognized payment partner that can also tailor its service to the needs of our local marketplace, we feel more confident than ever about the future.”

Founded in 2017, Wplay was the first company to receive a license from Colombia’s gaming regulator Coljuegos, and today it boasts more than 1,600,000 users in that country – almost half of the entire market. With 7,000 points of sale throughout Colombia, and sponsorship deals with eight Liga Águila football teams and the national Olympic team, the company’s brand is recognized by 35 million sports fans nationwide.

Canada

IGT Delivers World Premiere of Powerbucks Blackjack Online Game in Canada

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

igt-delivers-world-premiere-of-powerbucks-blackjack-online-game-in-canada

International Game Technology PLC announced that its new Powerbucks Blackjack game is now available to online players in multiple jurisdictions in Canada. The theme links to IGT’s Powerbucks omnichannel wide-area progressive (WAP) jackpot prize pool, Canada’s largest jackpot connecting land-based, online and mobile games.

“IGT is excited to build on its omnichannel jackpot leadership in Canada and the success of our Powerbucks portfolio by delivering a new evolution of one of the most popular casino card games. Designed to deliver the ultimate gaming experience, IGT’s Powerbucks Blackjack offers players the opportunity to win life-changing jackpots and provides operators with another compelling content option to help drive strong performance results,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA, and LATAM Gaming Sales.

Bringing a player-favorite card game to a new level, IGT’s Powerbucks Blackjack offers a state-of-the-art user interface with vibrant animations, language localization, and a sleek design for an engaging experience.

Launched in 2016, IGT Powerbucks slots is the world’s first omnichannel WAP game that links the jackpot prize pool between gaming machines found in land-based casinos with digital-based games in Canada. Since their debut, Powerbucks slots have paid over 50 jackpots of 1 million dollars or more across the country.

Canada

THE CANADIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

the-canadian-gaming-association-announces-election-of-new-board-members

The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) announced the appointment of four new members of the Association’s Board of Directors, which took place during the CGA’s Annual General Meeting on December 4, 2024.

Peter Czegledy, Aird & Berlis LLP

Peter Czegledy is a Partner and member of the Corporate/Commercial Group at Aird & Berlis LLP, as well as Chair of the firm’s Gaming Group, and co-Chair of the firm’s Esports & Gaming Group and Sports, Media & Entertainment Group. Peter has substantial expertise in the area of gambling and gaming law, with experience both in the acquisition/establishment phase and as ongoing corporate counsel managing compliance with applicable regulatory regimes and advising on technological applications. He is regularly consulted by governments and their regulators for policy and legal advice. He has acted in both private transactions and public procurements, and has represented a multitude of leading participants in the casino, track, igaming, mobile gambling, skills gaming and social gaming industries.

Lindsay Slader, GeoComply

Lindsay Slader is the SVP of Compliance at GeoComply, a cybersecurity and fraud prevention firm that delivers geolocation and user authentication technologies to the gaming, media & entertainment, online banking, payments, and cryptocurrency industries. Having worked in the internet gaming and digital services industries for seventeen years, Lindsay is a recognized expert in her field. Over the last decade, she has provided expert witness testimony on regulatory compliance, geolocation technologies, and her gaming industry expertise at several legislative hearings. Prior to GeoComply, she spent five years specializing in regulatory compliance and business development at Gaming Laboratories International. Lindsay’s contributions to the iGaming industry have led her to win awards such as the 2019 Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 and the 2021 iGaming Business Most Influential Women. Lindsay also currently serves on the board of directors of MVB Financial Corp.

Derek Ramm, Kinectify

Derek Ramm is the Global Head of Advisory Services at Kinectify, an AML risk management technology and advisory company that focuses on the gaming industry. He has extensive experience in the compliance and financial intelligence fields, and has brought his expertise to both the public and private sectors, providing him with a unique and well-rounded perspective to business challenges. Prior to joining Kinectify, Derek served as the Director of Anti-Money Laundering at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, where he led the agency’s AML regulatory oversight initiatives in the gaming, horse racing, liquor and cannabis industries. Derek was previously the Managing Principal at MT>Play, an advisory venture of McCarthy Tetrault that provided strategic advice to gaming organizations and governments around the world. He has also held senior roles at Canada’s federal financial intelligence unit (FINTRAC), the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and was the chief anti-money laundering officer at one of North America’s largest independent investment management firms. He was also appointed by the Government of Bermuda to serve as a Commissioner on the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission.

Terry McInally, Gateway Casinos

Terry McInally is the Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Technology & Interactive Officer for Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, one of the largest and most diversified gaming and entertainment companies in Canada. At Gateway he oversees compliance, surveillance, security, AML, RG, internal audit, insurance, risk, interactive and all aspects of technology. He has 20+ years of industry experience in compliance, operations, risk management, audit, stakeholder management, business strategy development, change/project management, regulatory reform, and IT. Prior to joining Gateway, Terry has been a gaming executive in numerous organizations including, an executive with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Managing Director and National Consulting Gaming Practice Leader for PwC Canada and a Risk & Technology Partner and Gaming Practice Leader with Richter LLP. Along with his extensive private and public experience, Terry is also a CPA and holds a CISA and Honors BA from the University of Toronto.

In addition, Neil Erlick and Chuck Keeling were reappointed for a second three-year term.

“We are delighted to welcome Peter, Lindsay, Derek, and Terry to the Board. Their diverse expertise and insights will play a critical role in helping CGA further its mission to support a regulated and responsible industry through education, collaboration, and advocacy,” said Paul Burns, President and CEO of the CGA. “Their perspectives and regional representation will strengthen our efforts and ensure we continue making meaningful progress.”

The Full 2024/2025 CGA Board of Directors

Bruce Caughill, Managing Director, Canada, Rush Street Interactive
Peter Czegledy, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
Neil Erlick, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Nuvei
Charmaine Hogan, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Playtech
Dale Hooper, General Manager Canada, FanDuel
Chuck Keeling, EVP, SH Engagement, Community and Social Responsibility, Great Canadian Entertainment
David Lucchese, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Everi
Adrianne McGrath, Vice President, Business Development, Konami Gaming
Terry McInally, Chief Compliance Officer & Chief Information Officer, Gateway Casinos
Niaz Nejad, Managing Director, Americas – Gaming, Light & Wonder
Bob Parente, SVP Chief Revenue Officer, Gaming, Light & Wonder
Derek Ramm, Global Head, Advisory Services, Kinectify
Lindsay Slader, SVP Compliance, GeoComply
Richard Taylor, President, MGE Entertainment – Fallsview
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer Canada, PointsBet Canada

Canada

Loto-Québec Reports Net Income of $771.3M for Q2

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

loto-quebec-reports-net-income-of-$771.3m-for-q2

As expected at the end of the first quarter, Loto-Québec had an excellent second-quarter performance. Therefore, halfway through fiscal 2024–25, the corporation is in an excellent position with better results over the same period last year and still in line with its forecasts. It is thus on its way to reaching its net income target for the current year.

For the second quarter, which ran from June 25 to September 30, 2024, Loto-Québec posted total revenues of $814.2M (+16.1%) and a net income of $421.6M (+18.5%). Overall, for the period from April 1 to September 30, 2024, its total revenues reached $1.504B (+6.5%) and its net income was $771.3M (+4.7%). It is worth noting that lottery winners have received nearly $720M in prizes since the current fiscal year began.

Quotes from the President and CEO

“If we’re in such a good position halfway through the fiscal year, it’s thanks to the work done across all our sectors over the last few months. We obtained excellent results despite the economic context, reinforcing our confidence that we’ll reach our net income annual target. Remember that 100% of our profits are reinvested in the community,” said Jean-François Bergeron.

“Responsible commercialization has remained a priority in everything we offer. We’ve created an enhanced program—Wise Play—to consolidate our actions in this field. We proudly launched it in mid-September, along with a campaign raising people’s awareness of the importance of setting limits. Among other things, through this program, we can present a unified message so that a game remains a game.”

Cumulative Results by Sector

For the period from April 1 to September 30, 2024

• Lottery product sector revenues amounted to $474.2M.

• Casino and gaming hall sector revenues were $608.9M. This sector is once again on the way to a record year.

• Gaming establishment sector revenues totalled $432.5M.

Quarterly Highlights and Social Contributions

For the period from June 25 to September 30, 2024, the lottery crowned 28 new millionaires, bringing the total of new millionaires since the beginning of the fiscal year to 50.

On September 10, Lotto Max became more generous than ever. Its maximum jackpot increased from $70M to $80M—no Canadian lottery had ever awarded such an amount. A few days later, the record $80M jackpot was won in the September 17 draw, and one of the two winning selections had been purchased in Québec. An Outaouais resident took home half the jackpot with a play he bought online.

The Loto-Québec responsible gambling website had a makeover as part of the launch of the enhanced Wise Play program. It presents content such as information to help players better understand the notions of chance and odds, valuable tips to manage their gambling, and ways of getting help if needed. The website can be reached at wiseplay.ca.

The Collection Loto-Québec is proudly celebrating its 45 years this fall. To mark the occasion, some thirty of its works were showcased at the end of September in the Voir bleu exhibition, which was entirely curated in-house and shown in the Collection’s new exhibition space at the corporation’s head office.

Loto-Québec was honoured to be a presenting partner at the celebrations surrounding the 150th anniversary of Parc Jean-Drapeau, home to the Casino de Montréal for over 30 years. The iconic park hosts several major events, some of which are part of the Rendez-vous Loto-Québec.