Canada

Pennsylvania Skill: VGTs benefit out-of-state corporations, harm skill games market and casinos

Published

5 years ago

June 24, 2021

VGTs will hurt small businesses, social clubs and veterans’ organizations in the state, along with the marketplace for legal skill games, said Pennsylvania Skill’s spokesman following a Senate hearing today. Pace-O-Matic powers Pennsylvania Skill.

Pennsylvania Skill, made up of amusement and gaming small business owners across the state, questioned why legislative support for video gaming terminals, or VGTs, exists given their history in other states. The comments were based on out-of-state VGT companies testifying at a Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee hearing.

“VGTs have consistently overpromised the amount of revenue they would generate for Pennsylvania and minimized their impact on lottery and casino revenues,” said Mike Barley, spokesman for Pennsylvania Skill. “We don’t want to see a repeat of what has happened in other states.

In Illinois, VGTs were legalized in 2009. At the time, companies predicted they could generate funds to support a $31 billion building program to create jobs and upgrade the state’s infrastructure. In 2017, eight years after the legalization of VGTs, the state had collected less than $1 billion. Illinois lawmakers also were disappointed to find the projected $2.5 billion in state revenue did not materialize.

In addition, regulatory expenses for video gambling proved far higher than anticipated, forcing the state to divert $83 million from casino taxes to support the work of the Illinois Gaming Board.

Barley added that thousands of illegal VGTs are operating in the Commonwealth without a court ruling, and Pennsylvania Skill supports efforts to crack down on those games through regulation and enforcement.

Pennsylvania Skill has been ruled a predominant game of skill by a Court of Common Pleas. That case was never appealed by the Pennsylvania State Police. In order to further cement its legal status, Pennsylvania Skill has filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court.

Locations across the state depend on skill game revenue. At Sprankle’s Neighborhood Markets in western Pennsylvania, the owners have been able to offer health benefits to employees for the first time thanks to the money they receive from the skill games located in their grocery stores. They also provide daily free lunches to staff thanks to game revenue.

“Lawmakers need to understand what location owners do with their skill game revenue,” said Ryan Sprankle, an owner of one of the three Sprankle’s Neighborhood Markets. “The money has made a huge difference for our employees – we could not afford health insurance for them without it. They can stay healthier, and we are better able to keep good staff.”

Barley said Pennsylvania Skill hears stories like the Sprankles’ all the time. Many businesses and organizations count on this revenue. He wants to see legislation pass that would provide regulation of legal skill games as a way for the industry to continue to help locations and pay a steady stream of $250 million in tax revenue for the state each year. In addition to that, Pennsylvania Skill already pays tens of millions of dollars in taxes annually.

“A true skill game cannot set payout levels because the results are based on a player’s skill,” Barley explained. “After analyzing Pennsylvania Skill data, on average, 90 percent of players win. With that said, there are many illegal VGTs masquerading as skill games that are proliferating in the Commonwealth, and they do have set payout levels. That is why there is a clear need for regulation.”

Pennsylvania Skill games, which are manufactured in Williamsport, provide family-sustaining jobs in manufacturing and for small businesses that operate the games. The industry provides a needed financial lift for fraternal clubs and veterans’ groups, restaurants and bars.

The industry also provides charitable giving of over $1 million a year that supports Pennsylvania communities.

Alberta

Peter & Sons launches full game portfolio in Alberta

Published

4 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

peter-&-sons-launches-full-game-portfolio-in-alberta

Peter & Sons has launched in Alberta with its full game portfolio, extending the Barcelona-based iGaming studio’s North American expansion.

The company said the Alberta rollout brings its complete catalogue to a market it described as “one of Canada’s most closely watched,” as the province continues to develop its regulated online gaming framework.

Peter & Sons said Alberta players will have access to titles including Barbarossa: Dragon Empire, The Soapranos and Greedy Alice.

Lauryn Duncan, Head of Sales at Peter & Sons, said: “Alberta is an exciting new market for Peter & Sons and an important step in our North American growth. Launching with our full portfolio gives us the chance to introduce the complete Peter & Sons experience from day one, from the art and characters to the mechanics and worlds that define our games. It is a market with strong potential, and we are proud to bring our games to players there.”

The post Peter & Sons launches full game portfolio in Alberta appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alberta

Peter & Sons Enters Alberta with Full Game Portfolio

Published

6 hours ago

July 16, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

peter-&-sons-enters-alberta-with-full-game-portfolio

Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons has entered Alberta with its full game portfolio, marking another major step in the studio’s regulated North American expansion.

The launch brings Peter & Sons’ complete catalogue to one of Canada’s most closely watched iGaming markets, as Alberta continues to develop its regulated online gaming framework. Following the growth of Ontario’s regulated model, Alberta represents an important new chapter for suppliers looking to build long-term presence across Canada.

Alberta offers a strong opportunity for Peter & Sons, combining a clear regulatory direction with a growing appetite for high-quality digital casino content. Players in the province will gain access to the studio’s full portfolio, from visually distinctive slots and recognizable characters from games like Barbarossa: Dragon Empire, The Soapranos, Greedy Alice and many others.

Renowned for its creative direction and distinctive approach to game development, Peter & Sons continues to expand across regulated markets worldwide. The Alberta entry reflects the studio’s commitment to growing its North American footprint while bringing its complete catalogue to markets where originality, performance, and player engagement all matter.

The post Peter & Sons Enters Alberta with Full Game Portfolio appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Alberta

Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on day one of regulated market

Published

6 hours ago

July 16, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

gaming-corps-goes-live-with-bet365-in-alberta-on-day-one-of-regulated-market

Gaming Corps has launched its online casino content with bet365 in Alberta on the first day of the province’s regulated market opening on 13 July 2026, while also expanding its content distribution with the operator in Ontario and Spain.

The Sweden-based game developer said it is among the first wave of studios fully certified for Alberta’s newly regulated market. Gaming Corps will support bet365’s Alberta entry with more than 50 games at launch, spanning Slots, Table, Plinko, Mine Games and Instant Blitz.

As part of the expanded partnership, Gaming Corps said bet365 will also gain access to its football-themed titles, including Penalty Champion: Goals to Glory, and its 3 Pigs franchise, including 3 Pigs of Olympus, 3 Pigs of Olympus 2: Rise of the DemiHog, and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean.

The rollout also includes Gaming Corps’ Low RTP Blackjack titles, which the company said are designed around 93.57% RTP and approximately 6% operator hold, with flexible branding options and side-bet mechanics.

Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 across Spain, Ontario and Alberta is a major moment for Gaming Corps, but Alberta is the real statement here. Going live with bet365 from day one reflects the work our teams have put into certification, onboarding and ensuring we can move quickly and confidently with major operator partners.

“As one of the earliest studios ready for Alberta, we’ll be bringing more than 50 titles to the province. That breadth matters, because it gives operators like bet365 a single partner across multiple verticals, with content designed to support acquisition, engagement and retention across different player segments. Spain and Ontario are also important regulated markets for us and expanding with a global operator of this scale highlights how far Gaming Corps has come in a short period of time.”

Richard Graham, Associate VP of Gaming at bet365at bet365 said: “Gaming Corps has become a valuable content partner, combining recognisable game identities with formats that add variety across our casino offering. We are pleased to extend the partnership into Spain, Ontario and Alberta, with the Alberta launch particularly important as part of our day-one commitment to the market.

“Expanding the relationship across multiple territories in a relatively short period reflects the strength of the collaboration, as well as the Gaming Corps team’s clear product direction, commitment and continued development as a game vendor. We look forward to giving players access to a wide-ranging portfolio from the moment the market opens.”

The post Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on day one of regulated market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.