Canada
CGA: Optimism and Opportunity in 2021

We all agree that 2020 was a year that we want to put firmly behind us. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an extraordinary impact on our business, communities and families. In these early months of 2021, the impacts of the pandemic continue be present and real for those still impacted by closures, but there is a sense of optimism and hope for the year ahead.
2021 will be a pivotal year for the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) as we continue to work with both federal and provincial governments to ensure the best outcome possible for our industry as it recovers from COVID-19.
The association’s advocacy efforts will be primarily focused on sports betting and the development of iGaming regulatory model in Ontario. The CGA will continue to support Bill C-13, the federal single-event sports wagering bill, as it moves through the House to the Senate, and will provide assistance as provincial regulators decide how to best to develop their sports wagering regulatory models. Coinciding with these efforts will be the CGA’s involvement in the consultations on Ontario’s iGaming model, the CGA continue to work with the AGCO and the government of Ontario as they move ahead with a licensing model to make iGaming a reality in the province.
CGA Academy
We have launched a new training and development program called the CGA Academy in partnership with iGaming Academy. Member and industry offers are coming soon and in the meantime, you can find more information on the CGA Academy microsite.
New Members
Our membership is growing! We are thrilled to welcome Bet Regal and Kambi to the Canadian Gaming Association. If you are interested in joining the CGA, information and application forms are available here.
Sports Betting Update
Sports betting will be a key priority for the CGA throughout 2021 as it will be a powerful tool to help the industry emerge from the impacts of COVID-19. Bill C-218, the Private Member’s Bill brought forward by Kevin Waugh, MP for Saskatoon-Grasswood, had its second reading and debate on February 5 and again benefited from all-party support. The second reading vote will be held on February 17, which will approve the bill’s referral to the House of Commons Justice Committee for hearings.
Bill C-13, the government bill, is due to have its second reading and debate on February 19.
Paul Burns, President & CEO, CGA, and Mr. Waugh were quoted in an article in the Financial Post on how Canada has never been closer to legalizing single-event sports betting.
We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the two bills.
Regulatory Innovation Committee Moving On to Sport and Event Wagering Standards
The CGA’s Regulatory Innovation Committee developed regulatory standards for cashless wagering (Standards for Cashless Systems) in land-based Canadian casinos in 2020, which are now available for implementation across Canada. A copy of the standards can be dowloaded on our website. The committee has moved on to sport and event wagering standards in anticipation of the legalization of single-event sports wagering.
Given that only parlay-style wagers are legal in Canada, there is a need to address issues that will be specific to the implementation of sport and event wagering standards such as match fixing/integrity of data, sharing data across jurisdictional lines, and marketing and the offering of odds. The committee will be working to develop statements to append to GLI-33, which most provinces will be adopting in the months to come.
The committee includes a cross section of gaming industry representatives working with provincial gaming regulators and subject matter experts.
Congratulations!
CGA board member Dean Ehrlich, Executive Vice President and Games Business Leader, Everi, was named one of Global Gaming Business magazine’s 25 People to Watch.
Claire Copeland, former Chair of the CGA’s Board of Directors and former CEO of Falls Management, was awarded the Order of Ontario for his business leadership contributions to Ontario.
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AGCO
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor.
On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.
In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.
As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.
Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.
A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.
The post AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement

International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (hereinafter “IGT”), signed an eight-year agreement with Atlantic Lottery to supply its IntelligenEVO video lottery central system technology across Atlantic Canada. The agreement includes the option for multiple extensions and positions the Atlantic Lottery to become the first World Lottery Association (WLA)-affiliated lottery operator to deploy IGT’s next-generation central management system in a game-to-system (G2S) distributed market.
“By leveraging IGT’s IntelligenEVO technology, Atlantic Lottery will power its video lottery network with the industry’s best-in-class central system and position itself to maximize future contributions to good causes. As an organization that prioritizes system security and exceptional player experiences, Atlantic Lottery believes that IGT’s IntelliegnEVO solution will help generate high player satisfaction and optimal network performance,” said Michael MacKinnon, Atlantic Lottery VP, Product.
“As a long-time supplier to Atlantic Lottery, IGT looks forward to helping the Lottery achieve its growth and player engagement goals with our leading-edge IntelligenEVO video lottery central system. IGT’s IntelligenEVO is a scalable technology for the WLA market that is backed by decades of experience and operator feedback, and maximizes the benefits of real-time data, cloud-based technologies and in-depth analytics,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA and LATAM, Gaming Sales.
With peak system security, network availability and responsible gaming functionalities, IntelligenEVO is a reliable, scalable solution that can meet the needs of today and in the future. The solution will accelerate time-to-market and enables the Atlantic Lottery to benefit from the system’s suite of player-focused functionality. The technology’s G2S and open API design optimizes data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customize their program for evolving player needs.
The post IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetRivers
NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform

NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
The post NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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