Blueprint Gaming, the leading UK slots developer and member of the Merkur Group, has doubled down on its Canadian footprint following a partnership with industry leading online casino and sports betting company, Rush Street Interactive, in Ontario.

The agreement will see a host of Blueprint’s top performing games made available to a new wave of slot enthusiasts, including its Megaways offering featuring Napoleon Megaways and Majestic Fury Megaways, as well as the company’s renowned branded library offering the likes of Rick and Morty: Strike Back and The Lost Boys.

Founded in 2012, RSI has become a market leader in online casinos and sportsbooks across the Americas and is set to have its expansive portfolio of slots elevated by Blueprint’s engaging titles featuring sought after mechanics.

The agreement underlines Blueprint’s ever-expanding global footprint and aligns with its strategic roadmap for Canada where its games continue to resonate with players across the country.

Samuel Haggblom, Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint Gaming, said: “The popularity of Blueprint slots continues to grow across Canada and the Americas, and so we are delighted to go live with an industry renowned operator in the region.

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“This exciting deal pays further testament to how our games can resonate with players in multiple markets worldwide and we look forward to seeing the response from BetRivers players.”

Richard Schwartz, CEO for Rush Street Interactive, said: “Blueprint Gaming boasts a growing collection of exciting titles, and we are thrilled to be working with them to bring these games to our BetRivers players in Ontario.

“We are happy to partner with Blueprint Gaming and look forward to watching this collaboration flourish.”

The latest sports betting survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) shows the majority of Ontarians plan to watch Super Bowl LIX (63 per cent) and almost half of viewers will place a wager on the big game (48 per cent).

Over a third of Ontario adults have initiated a bet after seeing a gambling advertisement online or on TV (35 per cent); more so among populations at-risk for problem gambling, including those under age 44 (42 per cent) and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals (44 per cent).

Two thirds believe their sports knowledge gives them an edge in predicting outcomes (67 per cent), particularly men and those aged 18-44 (70 per cent). While knowledge and skill does inform a bet, it doesn’t guarantee a win. The misconception that one can accurately predict an outcome can lead to over confidence that their knowledge will give them an advantage and ultimately, a win. This is known as the illusion of control. This false belief paired with persuasive gambling advertising can increase risk, influencing some to bet more than they can afford to lose. More than a third report doing so in the past 12 months (36 per cent).

Key survey highlights

How Ontarians plan to bet:

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• 50 per cent will bet online with a sportsbook website
• 30 per cent will bet with family and friends
• 27 per cent will buy sport-based lottery tickets
• 20 per cent will bet in a pool

How much they plan to wager:

• 55 per cent say they will bet $100 or less
• 19 per cent will bet between $101 and $500
• 8 per cent plan to wager more than $500

Number of bets they’ll make:

• 55 per cent will bet a single time on the outcome of the game
• 25 per cent will bet multiple times throughout the game using one sportsbook website
• 15 per cent will bet using several sportsbook websites

“Gambling is random but your plan shouldn’t be,” says Sarah McCarthy, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. “Perceived knowledge of the game, persuasive advertising, and substance use can all influence how we gamble. A smart plan includes being mindful of the illusion of control and remembering that even with sports expertise, understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome.”

RGC tips for safer sports betting

• Be mindful of the illusion of control. Remember that even with sports expertise a win is not guaranteed and understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome
• Be aware that time spent, and knowledge gained won’t help you “beat the odds”
• Plan before you play – pre-set betting limits and stay within your budget
• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose – never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent/mortgage or food
• Never chase losses by trying to win back what you’ve lost
• Limit your alcohol, cannabis, and/or other substance intake
• Don’t bet if you are upset or stressed
• View sports betting as entertainment, not a way to make money

Detailed survey insights

Half of those who will wager on the Super Bowl say their main reason to bet is to win money (48 per cent), followed by adding to the excitement of the game (47 per cent). About a fifth bet because they believe they are knowledgeable about the teams and players (22 per cent), they feel confident about their chances of winning (20 per cent), or because their favourite team or player is playing (18 per cent). One in ten bets in a mistaken attempt to make up for last year’s losses (10 per cent).

Over half of those who will bet on the big game will place their bets while consuming substances, which are associated with the additional risks of impaired judgement and decision-making (52 per cent). The majority plan to consume alcohol while betting (86 per cent).

While men and women are similarly likely to watch the Super Bowl, men are slightly more likely to place a wager (49 vs 45 per cent). Age and ethnicity also play significant roles. Ontario sports bettors aged 45+ are more likely to bet on the big game (52 per cent) than those aged 18-44 (45 per cent). White individuals are significantly more likely to bet on Super Bowl LIX (54 per cent) compared to BIPOC Ontarians (42 per cent).

Staying onside

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Of those planning to bet on the Super Bowl, the most common strategies to manage their gambling risk remain the same as last year: deciding on a pre-set betting limit (37 per cent), betting to have fun and not to make money (31 per cent), and not betting more to recoup losses (25 per cent).

A quarter of all respondents say they always or often feel anger or frustration at losing a bet (25 per cent), while a third sometimes do (36 per cent). This increases when placing bets while using substances. A third report their gambling has caused them to experience health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety (36 per cent) over the last 12 months, and that they might have a problem with gambling (36 per cent). These rates are highest among BIPOC Ontarians and those aged 18-34.

As a result, more Super Bowl betters are now paying attention to mood and state of mind when they gamble. Encouragingly, a quarter will avoid betting when feeling emotionally distressed (25 per cent) and a fifth will refrain from betting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (21 per cent).

To help keep online gambling safer, all regulated sportsbook websites have responsible gambling features. Of those who plan to use online sportsbooks to bet during the Super Bowl, a quarter read online information about the odds of winning and how certain games work (25 per cent) or use money limit-setting tools (23 per cent). A fifth use personalized spending reports or take a cooling off period (20 per cent). Notably, a third don’t plan on using any features to help them manage their betting (33 per cent).

Methodology
An online survey of 1,147 Ontario residents aged 18+ was completed between November 22 – December 6, 2024, using Leger’s online panel. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.9%, 19 times out of 20.

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The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is expanding its retail sportsbook offerings by opening two new PROLINE sportsbook lounges in the coming weeks.

Chances Casino Kelowna will host B.C.’s first in-person sportsbook lounge when the Chances Kelowna PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge opens for a sneak peek on Super Bowl Sunday before opening to the public the next day, on Monday, Feb. 10. The lounge will feature a massive 25-foot screen as well as food and drink and PROLINE betting.

BCLC will then open the province’s second in-person sportsbook lounge at Parq Casino in Vancouver in March.

A spokesperson from the crown corporation said that “the lounges offer something for sports lovers and sports bettors alike, including a best-in-class sports viewing experience and sports-betting terminals offering a full suite of competitive and live odds.”

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“The sportsbook lounge is not just for sports betting, it is a go-to viewing destination for both regular gamedays and, for the biggest sporting events of the year, where B.C. sports fans and sports bettors can watch their favourite teams together, the home of the home team.”

BCLC has plans to introduce future sportsbook lounges at other casinos around the province.

Lounges will showcase BCLC’s modernized sportsbook

The two sportsbook lounges will be major showcases for BCLC’s expanded and revamped PROLINE, which it unveiled last fall on the eve of the NFL season. PROLINE replaced the Sports Action sportsbook that BCLC shut down last May after 33 years.