Canada
NeoPollard Interactive and New Hampshire Lottery Prevail Against U.S. Government Appeal in iLottery Case
NeoPollard Interactive LLC, jointly owned by Pollard Banknote Limited and NeoGames S.A., is thrilled with the decision rendered by the First Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals on January 20, 2021 that unequivocally reconfirmed that the federal Wire Act is limited to sports betting and, therefore, does not pertain to state-run lotteries. This decision confirms the ruling of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire in 2019 that was appealed by the U.S. Federal Department of Justice. Overall, this decision is important for the U.S. lottery industry as a whole by alleviating concerns related to the legality of traditional retail or online lottery sales (also known as “iLottery”) which rely on the transmission of lottery data over the Internet.
The Wire Act subjects to criminal liability any person who “knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers.” In 2011, the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (“OLC”) concluded that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting. Following that opinion, many lotteries began to offer non-sports gaming products over the Internet, reasonably relying on the OLC’s conclusions that their activities were lawful.
In January 2019, the OLC reversed that prior decision and released a new opinion concluding that the Wire Act extended beyond the sports-betting context to criminalize interstate transmissions of all bets or wagers—thereby overturning the conclusions of the 2011 opinion and threatening to shut down the burgeoning iLottery industry.
Working alongside the New Hampshire Lottery Commission (“New Hampshire Lottery”), NeoPollard Interactive and Pollard Banknote, the New Hampshire Lottery’s iLottery providers, immediately sought a declaratory judgment in federal court that the OLC’s new Wire Act interpretation was based on an incorrect reading of the statute. In June 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire confirmed that the federal Wire Act applies only to sports-betting activities. The OLC appealed that decision.
In this latest judgement, the First Circuit affirmed the District Court’s June 2019 decision thus restoring the 2011 interpretation that limited the Wire Act to sports betting. By upholding the 2011 interpretation that the Wire Act applies only to bets or wagers on a sporting event or contest, this ruling safeguards the New Hampshire Lottery, NeoPollard Interactive and Pollard Banknote, specifically, and all other iLottery operators, generally, from the threat of unlawful prosecution.
In addition, and equally importantly for other state lotteries, any concerns about the pooling of bets or the transmission of wagers in connection with national and regional multi-state games such as Powerball® and Mega Millions, whether through traditional retail or online channels, have been completely eliminated.
“We are very happy with the recent judgement confirming, yet again, the 2011 interpretation of the Wire Act,” said Liz Siver, General Manager, NeoPollard Interactive. “This is a great success for the Lottery industry generally, and iLottery specifically, as it ensures that the sale of both iLottery games and national and regional multi-state games can continue to be strong contributors to lottery sales and the good causes that U.S. lotteries support. In terms of iLottery, we know first-hand the positive effect that these operations have had, not only on state resources, but on player experience as well. The current worldwide pandemic has amplified the importance of this new channel. We look forward to continuing to provide state-of-the-art iLottery products and strategies to lotteries with an increasing array of products within the digital landscape.”
SOURCE NeoPollard Interactive
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Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet is deepening its existing partnership with Stockholm-based game studio Thunderkick to launch the developer’s unique, engaging slot titles in Ontario.
The Canadian province is one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and the Ontario players will now gain access to Thunderkick’s full portfolio of highly acclaimed games via SkillOnNet-powered online casino brands such as PlayOJO, SlotsMagic, and SpinGenie.
Thunderkick is known for its independent, boundary-pushing slot games like Pink Elephants, Esqueleto Explosivo, and Beat the Beast and has established a strong reputation for creativity and originality in the iGaming space. The deal allows the studio to further expand its global footprint while giving Ontario players the chance to enjoy a fresh wave of premium content.
Ontario’s regulated online gaming market, which officially opened in 2022, has quickly become a key market for the iGaming industry, and SkillOnNet was among the first brands to secure licensing in the province. The expansion reinforces SkillOnNet’s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment in regulated markets globally.
Jani Kontturi at SkillOnNet said: “Thunderkick has been a key partner of ours in other markets, and we’re delighted to bring their outstanding content to Ontario. This region is fast becoming a vital part of our operations, and we’re confident players here will respond just as positively to Thunderkick’s games as they have elsewhere.”
Mariam Dodosh, Account Manager at Thunderkick said: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with SkillOnNet and enter the Ontario market together. Our games have a track record of strong performance, and we’re excited to see them go live in one of the most dynamic new regions in iGaming.”
The post Thunderkick’s portfolio makes Ontario debut through SkillOnNet brands appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Maverick Games has launched sports betting operations in Ontario, through a partnership with Delasport.
Maverick Games will offer Ontarian players a premium sports betting experience, built on Delasport’s superior technology and known for its unique innovative features that players love including personalization, recommendations, gamification, quick bets, player engagement features, and more.
Maverick Games is the second brand to launch on Delasport’s technology in Ontario, with another full turnkey brand set to go live soon. Delasport also recently unveiled its innovative sports betting jackpot network game, SuperPot. The company will showcase this unique product at the Canadian Gaming Summit next month and begin rolling it out to Ontarian operators shortly thereafter.
“We are proud to see Maverick Games live and thriving with our one of a kind sportsbook solution at its core. They have been a fantastic partner from the start, and this launch further demonstrates how fast and efficient our technology is when paired with a clear vision and strong collaboration,” said Rosaire Galea Cavallaro, VP of Business Development at Delasport.
“Maverick Games’s sports vertical is a major step forward for us and launching it with Delasport has been the right move from day one. The platform’s performance and flexibility allow us to deliver the kind of user experience we believe Ontario players deserve. We’re excited to now bring that vision to life,” CEO Matt Rathbun said.
The post Maverick Games Launches Sports Betting Operations in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire the casino business and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino (Hastings) in the City of Vancouver from Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (Great Canadian Entertainment).
“We are thrilled to take another important step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory, and we are eager to work with the senior management team at Great Canadian Entertainment to finalize due diligence and execute a definitive agreement, as well as working with the City of Vancouver to ensure the best long-term use of this important asset within the City. We believe that this opportunity is historic for us in many ways, and we look forward to entering the gaming industry in due course,” said Jen Thomas, Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
“We are excited about working with TWN on their potential acquisition of the casino operations and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino. Recognizing that Hastings is part of the TWN’s traditional territory, we can think of no better entity to inherit this asset, and we look forward to supporting them in the transition after the anticipated close of the sale,” Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment.
The agreement is subject to further due diligence, finalization of financial terms and the execution of a definitive purchase and sale agreement. Once a definitive agreement has been executed by the parties, it is anticipated that the transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by gaming regulatory and other authorities, including certain approvals by the City of Vancouver given its ownership of the real property. It is expected that Great Canadian Entertainment will provide transition services to TWN for a period of time following the anticipated closing.
The post Tsleil-Waututh Nation Signs MoU to Acquire Casino Business at Hastings Racecourse & Casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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