Canada
PLAYMAKER CAPITAL INC. APPOINTS SARA SLANE AND MARK HARRISON TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Playmaker Capital Inc., the digital sports media company that delivers authentic content experiences through its portfolio of sports media and technology brands, announced today that it has appointed Sara Slane, Founder of Slane Advisory and former Senior Vice President of the American Gaming Association, and Mark Harrison, Founder of The T1 Agency and SponsorshipX, to its board of directors (the “Board”).
“Being able to add two people of the calibre of Sara and Mark is a big step forward for Playmaker”, said Jordan Gnat, Playmaker CEO. “I have known Sara for many years and have witnessed how effective she has been in providing guidance and leadership to the gaming and sports industries. Mark’s reputation is second to none. We have been looking to add a senior executive in the marketing and partnership industry to our Board, and Mark fits that perfectly. Sara and Mark have distinct experiences that are relevant to our core business model, and they will both serve as incredibly important and complimentary additions to the current composition of our Board”.
Ms. Slane is the founder of Slane Advisory, a consultancy focused on advising stakeholders from the gaming, media, and sports industries. Previously, Ms. Slane served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the American Gaming Association. As a key industry strategist and spokesperson, Ms. Slane was instrumental in enhancing the gaming industry’s reputation and overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which has resulted in widespread and continued adoption of sports betting across the U.S. Ms. Slane has conducted numerous team market access and sponsorship deals in the U.S., having aligned gaming partners for the NHL, NASCAR, and PGA TOUR. She currently serves as a board member to Delaware North and a board observer to GeoComply. Ms. Slane is considered to be one of the most influential voices in gaming, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40, Sports Betting Hall of Fame, the 2019 Sports Betting Power Players list, and Global Gaming Business Top 25 People to Watch.
Mr. Harrison has been a leading figure in the sponsorship and marketing industry in Canada for over 30 years. In 1994, Mr. Harrison founded the T1 Agency, a full-stack sponsorship agency that elevates brands through strategic partnerships, creative activations, and effective amplification. In 2005, Mr. Harrison founded SponsorshipX, a global community of sponsorship and marketing focused practitioners. Mr. Harrison is also the founder of Mh3 Collective, an organization that is focused on empowering people, promoting social and racial equity, and removing barriers to education, among other initiatives. As a lifelong volunteer and steward of equity and inclusion, Mr. Harrison founded the Black Talent Initiative in 2020 to facilitate opportunities for professional Black talent. Additionally, Mr. Harrison is Board Chair at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, a Fundraising Campaign Cabinet Member at CAMH Foundation, and an advisor to several ventures, including the Crankworx World Tour, Riff, and NFL Canada.
The appointments of Ms. Slane and Mr. Harrison to Playmaker’s Board will strengthen and complement the Board’s areas of expertise. Ms. Slane’s deep understanding of the North American gaming industry will provide invaluable insight regarding the continued development and adoption of sports betting, an important area of opportunity for Playmaker as it looks to continue to build strong commercial partnerships with sports betting operators. Mr. Harrison’s extensive sponsorship and advertising knowledge will serve as an important and trusted resource for Playmaker and its multi-channel portfolio of digital sports media properties.
In connection with the director appointments, Playmaker granted 400,000 options (the “Options”) to acquire Playmaker common shares (the “Common Shares”) to each of Ms. Slane and Mr. Harrison, at an exercise price of C$0.58 per Common Share, 25% of which vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, with the remaining Options vesting in 1/48 increments each monthly anniversary thereafter. The Options expire 10 years from the date of grant.
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Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.
Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.
Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.
Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.
Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.
Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.
“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”
Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.
“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”
The post Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].
Registration and program details will be released later this fall.
The post Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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