Canada

Bad Weekend for Illegal Bookies as Legal Online Betting Reaches All-Time Highs in U.S.

Published

5 years ago

January 25, 2021

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.

Alberta

Greentube goes live in Alberta as province opens regulated iGaming

Published

1 day ago

July 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

greentube-goes-live-in-alberta-as-province-opens-regulated-igaming

Supplier secures AGLC registration and extends its Canadian footprint beyond Ontario, where it has been live since 2022.

Greentube has gone live in Alberta on the day the province opened as a newly regulated iGaming market, marking the supplier’s first launch in the jurisdiction.

The NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division said it completed regulatory and technical due diligence and secured registration with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) commission to operate in the province. Alberta becomes only the second Canadian province to regulate iGaming after Ontario, with the new framework replacing the monopoly previously held by Play Alberta.

The Alberta launch builds on Greentube’s existing Canadian footprint. The company has been live in Ontario since 2022 and described the Alberta debut as part of its wider North American expansion strategy.

Greentube said Alberta players will initially have access to a curated set of titles including Piggy Prizes Wand of Riches 2, Rumble Riches Haulin’ Gold and Firecracker Frenzy Money Toad, as well as Silver Lux Big Win Spinner, Starlight Jackpots Captain’s Catch and Charming Lady’s Boom.

David Bolas, Commercial Director at Greentube, said: “Going live in Alberta on the day the market opens is an important step for Greentube and reflects the strong momentum we are seeing in Canada.

“We welcome the opportunity a new jurisdiction offers and look forward to working with locally licensed operators to introduce our established offering to players in Alberta. With a balanced line-up of new releases and proven performers, we are well placed to offer a compelling experience in the province and support our long-term ambitions in the region.”

The post Greentube goes live in Alberta as province opens regulated iGaming appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alberta

Greentube strengthens Canadian presence with Alberta debut as market opens

Published

1 day ago

July 20, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

greentube-strengthens-canadian-presence-with-alberta-debut-as-market-opens

Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, has gone live in Alberta as the Canadian province opens as a newly regulated iGaming market, providing a significant new opportunity for the supplier in North America.

The Alberta market opening marks a key moment for the Canadian iGaming industry, becoming only the second province to regulate after Ontario, and the open framework officially replacing the long-held monopoly previously held by Play Alberta.

Greentube’s go-live follows a rigorous regulatory and technical due diligence process, with the company securing registration with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) commission to operate in the province.

The development builds on Greentube’s established presence in Canada, where the company has been live in Ontario since 2022, and represents a significant step forward in its continued North American expansion strategy.

As part of the Alberta launch, players gain access to a curated selection from Greentube’s portfolio. The initial rollout includes Piggy Prizes Wand of Riches 2, Rumble Riches Haulin’ Gold and Firecracker Frenzy Money Toad, alongside established player favourites Silver Lux Big Win Spinner, Starlight Jackpots Captain’s Catch and Charming Lady’s Boom.

The mix has been carefully selected to reflect Greentube’s newest releases and strongest-performing titles, ensuring broad appeal for Alberta audiences from day one.

David Bolas, Commercial Director at Greentube, said: “Going live in Alberta on the day the market opens is an important step for Greentube and reflects the strong momentum we are seeing in Canada.

The post Greentube strengthens Canadian presence with Alberta debut as market opens appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

PENN Entertainment Launches theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino and theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino Standalone Apps in Alberta

Published

4 days ago

July 17, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

penn-entertainment-launches-thescore-bet-sportsbook-&-casino-and-thescore-casino-and-hollywood-casino-standalone-apps-in-alberta

PENN Entertainment has announced the launch of theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino in Alberta, as well as theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino standalone apps, further expanding the Company’s Canadian online gaming footprint and bringing its leading digital gaming brands to players across the province. These apps are now available across Alberta on iOS, Android, and are also available on the web.

The Alberta launch marks the next chapter in theScore Bet’s continued growth in Canada, building on its success in Ontario. Players in Alberta can now enjoy the uniquely integrated sports media and betting experience from two of Canada’s most trusted brands, theScore and theScore Bet, bringing live scores, news, stats, and betting together in one connected ecosystem.

In addition to sports betting, theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino gives Alberta players access to a comprehensive online casino experience featuring hundreds of slots, table games, live dealer experiences, and exclusive games, including Blue Jays Blackjack.

Complementing theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino experience, PENN is also launching standalone Hollywood Casino and theScore Casino apps in Alberta. Hollywood Casino, a popular online and retail casino brand, delivers a casino-first experience featuring an extensive portfolio of slots, table games, and live dealer content. For players who prefer a dedicated casino app, theScore Casino offers the same premium gaming experience, providing additional choice alongside the all-in-one theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino app.

“Alberta has an incredible sports culture, and we’re excited to bring theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino to players across the province. Fans already know and trust theScore, and with theScore Bet, we’re extending that connection into a seamless sportsbook and casino experience. Whether you’re following your favorite team, placing a bet, or enjoying casino games, we’ve built the experience around the way fans naturally engage with sports. We commend the Alberta government for introducing a regulated online gaming market for private operators and look forward to serving fans in one of Canada’s great sports markets,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive at PENN Entertainment.

Alberta customers can now enjoy:

• Same Game Parlays, player props, and live in-game betting.

• Seamless betting integration with theScore’s trusted sports news, scores, and data.

• Hollywood Casino’s extensive portfolio of slots, table games, and live dealer experiences, including Blue Jays Blackjack, the Dancing Drums series, and Sweet Bonanza series.

The post PENN Entertainment Launches theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino and theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino Standalone Apps in Alberta appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.