Canada
Bad Weekend for Illegal Bookies as Legal Online Betting Reaches All-Time Highs in U.S.
Record volumes were recorded this past weekend for legal U.S. online gaming and sports betting. This signals U.S. consumers favor the regulated U.S. industry and are turning away from the illegal, unprotected, offshore bookie businesses of the past. It also means revenues that were once channelled to the illegal market, are now staying in the communities where these bettors live.
According to data from GeoComply, this year’s NFL Conference Championship weekend saw more than 30 million geolocation transactions* recorded in 17 U.S. online betting states (including the District of Columbia), an increase of 260% over the same weekend in 2020. GeoComply is the leading provider of geolocation compliance technology used by the online gaming industry to verify the location of bettors.
Two new states, Michigan and Virginia, launched legal operations just in time for the weekend’s games and from those markets alone 7.5 million transactions came from over 400,000 accounts, making up 25% of overall volumes across the U.S. market. The addition of Michigan and Virginia helped drive all-time high transactions* in a weekend that featured a heavy sporting event schedule.
“Hundreds of thousands of people in Michigan and Virginia placed legal online bets for the first time this past weekend,” said Seth Palansky, Conscious Gaming’s vice president of corporate social responsibility. “This demonstrates that Americans will abandon illegal websites and the street corner bookie to place their trust in companies that are accountable, provide robust consumer protections and responsible gaming measures.”
Moreover, the tax dollars that were previously siphoned off by illegal gambling operators, are now staying in the United States; benefiting state governments and taxpayers and creating economic growth. In 2020, legal online gaming in the U.S. generated hundreds of millions in tax dollars for cash strapped states.
As more and more states seek to legalize and regulate various forms of internet gambling and sports wagering, Conscious Gaming, an independent non-profit created by GeoComply, is committed to technological innovations that protect consumers, strengthen responsible gaming programs and make self exclusion programs effective and universal.
“As the industry grows, it is important for it to remain firmly committed to protecting problem bettors and putting additional processes in place to ensure the growth can be managed effectively and responsibly,” added Palansky.
Conscious Gaming has created PlayPause, an innovative multi-state repository enabling consumers to self-exclude from online betting. It also allows other prohibited individuals (athletes, coaches, employees, etc.) to be easily added to the database and excluded from betting. PlayPause works to better protect consumers, break down silos and encourage information-sharing among state regulators, operators and sports leagues. PlayPause prevents vulnerable players or prohibited individuals from betting, regardless of where they are, instead of just inside their current state borders, as it is now.
*data includes GeoComply geolocation transactions from regulated U.S. online gaming and online sports wagering in CO, D.C., DE, IA, IL, IN, MI, MT, NV, NH, NJ, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA and WV.
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Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded an Ontario Gaming License by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), effective today. This achievement enables the company to offer its portfolio of real-money games to licensed operators and players across the province.
The license underscores the Incentive Games’ commitment to meeting the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational excellence. The rigorous application process demands robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures and affirms the company’s readiness to enter one of Canada’s most dynamic iGaming markets.
The North American market is a strategic focus for Incentive Games, and this milestone follows closely on the heels of the company receiving its Provisional Michigan gaming licence from the Michigan Gaming Control Board earlier this month.
Incentive Games will distribute its real-money gaming content in Ontario through Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, ensuring a focused and tailored approach to the market.
“Ontario represents a huge opportunity for us, and securing this license is a proud moment for the whole team,” said John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer at Incentive Games. “It reinforces our dedication to meeting the highest standards while delivering compelling real-money content. We’re looking forward to building strong relationships in the region and continuing our momentum across regulated markets worldwide.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES ONTARIO GAMING LICENSE appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has announced the appointment of Larry Spagnolo as the new Board Chair, effective August 15, 2025. This announcement follows the official Order in Council issued by the Alberta Government and marks a new chapter in AGLC’s ongoing commitment to support communities, encourage responsible choices and position Alberta as the best place to do business.
Larry brings a wealth of experience in technology and business leadership to the AGLC Board and will play an integral role in guiding AGLC’s strategic direction. He is currently serving as VP and GM of Emerson’s SaaS SCADA business and has held senior roles at Zedi and Telus, driving innovation, growth, and global success.
A strong advocate for education and community, Larry serves as Vice Chair of Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and has held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community contributions.
AGLC and the Board of Directors extend their heartfelt thanks to Len Rhodes for his leadership and dedication as Board Chair since August 2019. He decided not to seek a third term and will continue to serve in this role until August 14, 2025. Len led AGLC through some significant milestones, including reducing red tape by 51%, growth of the emerging cannabis industry and ensuring AGLC delivered a balanced approach to business development, social responsibility, and regulatory oversight.
The post AGLC Announces New Board Chair appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
EveryMatrix has expanded its partnership with tier-1 operator Pinnacle powering its new casino in Ontario, Canada, using CasinoEngine platform technology – the first time its platform solution has gone live in North America.
The latest agreement builds on the two companies’ previous collaboration that saw EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine productivity platform power the well-known brand’s global casino offering.
The new launch takes the relationship to North America, marking EveryMatrix’s debut CasinoEngine platform integration in that market.
BonusEngine, EveryMatrix’s cross-vertical bonusing tool will be integrated in the second phase of launch. This will equip Pinnacle Ontario with a host of bonus types as well as AI-powered bonus abuse solution Bonus Guardian.
BonusEngine is the first of multiple engagement tools from EveryMatrix’s EngageSuite that Pinnacle plans to integrate.
With this comprehensive toolkit at its disposal, and the opportunity to add even more casino products in the future, Pinnacle Ontario can tailor campaigns, segment audiences, and reward players more effectively, creating a world-class digital entertainment experience for its customers.
EveryMatrix has more than 300 global customers and holds North American licences in Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Stian Enger Petersen, CEO, Casino, EveryMatrix, said: “This launch marks a key milestone for EveryMatrix as we bring our market-leading CasinoEngine platform to Canada for the first time.
“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Pinnacle and support their ambitions in Ontario with a powerful combination of platform, content, and engagement tools that are proven to drive success.”
The post Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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