Canada

Poker Initiative One More For One Drop Helps World Series of Poker Reach $25 Million Raised Since 2012 To Benefit One Drop Foundation’s Critical Water-Mission

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2022

Our friends at the World Series of Poker and the entire poker community deserve the longest standing ovation for what they have accomplished with One Drop over the past 10 years. All sectors combined, how many companies do you know have been able to mobilize their stakeholders to raise $25 million for a charity?” Guy Laliberté, founder of the One Drop Foundation.

With the same ambition with which the One Drop Foundation strives to change the game in the water sector, poker initiative One More For One Drop is transforming lives. Held this past weekend in Las Vegas to celebrate 10 years of turning water into action together, the One More for One Drop tournament in Las Vegas raised $632,922, bringing the total amount of funds raised through partnership with the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to $25 million. Since 2012, the WSOP, the poker community and the One Drop Foundation have amassed a history of 17 impactful charitable poker tournaments benefitting One Drop Foundation’s water-mission and transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

Over the years, the One Drop Foundation and the WSOP have created three charitable poker tournament formats that have been held in Las Vegas, Rozvadov (Czech Republic) and in Monaco. Kicking off in Las Vegas in 2012, Guy Laliberté, founder of the One Drop Foundation, envisioned a game-changing poker tournament called, The Big One for One Drop, that made history on several fronts – including the first $1 million buy-in event and the biggest first prize ever awarded totaling $18,346,673. This tournament has generated nearly $16 million in contributions for One Drop Foundation’s mission through its four editions that were held biennially from 2012 to 2018. In addition to The Big One for One Drop, there have been eight editions of another rendition poker tournament titled, The Little One for One Drop, a $1,000 buy- in charitable poker event with a $111 optional contribution, and five editions of yet another charitable poker tournament titled, The High Roller for One Drop, a $111,111 buy-in. More than 20,000 poker players have contributed since the beginning of the One Drop-WSOP partnership in 2012, either by playing one or more tournaments or making donations at cash-out.

The recent One More for One Drop tournament held this past weekend in Las Vegas enabled the One Drop Foundation to pass the extraordinary mark of $25,000,000 raised through their poker initiatives for One Drop Foundation’s crucial mission of ensuring sustainable access to safe water for communities facing extreme barriers.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Our friends at the World Series of Poker and the entire poker community deserve the longest standing ovation for what they have accomplished with One Drop over the past 10 years. All sectors combined, how many companies do you know have been able to mobilize their stakeholders to raise $25 million for a charity? This is not only a true example of generosity, it is also a leadership testimonial in the purest form. Thank you, my friends, for caring so much for the cause of safe water for all and for giving the best of yourselves to put a lasting dent into poverty with us,” said Guy Laliberté, founder of the One Drop Foundation.

“I will remember forever when Guy presented to me his idea for a $1 million buy-in charitable tournament that would soon be known as The Big One for One Drop. You have to remember that in 2012, super high roller tournaments rarely exceeded $100,000. Adding a zero was not the typical increment. Guy was so passionate about the idea and about the impact this tournament would have on access to water in the world that we decided to join forces immediately. I was far from imagining that 10 years later we would have raised over $25 million for the One Drop Foundation and have impacted so many lives. The entire poker community should be very proud of this achievement” said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of WSOP.

The One Drop Foundation was established in 2007 by Cirque du Soleil and Lune Rouge founder Guy Laliberté as an international foundation dedicated to ensuring sustainable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene locally and globally. In the midst of a global pandemic, the One Drop Foundation and its partners kept making a difference and soon, their actions will have changed the lives of more than 2.3 million people around the world with 26 projects in 14 countries.

The funds raised during One More for One Drop will directly support One Drop Foundation’s safe water access initiatives both locally and around the world.

Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app

Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

bally’s-interactive-launches-the-new-bally-bet-sportsbook-&-casino-app-in-ontario

Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.

The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.

“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.

BCLC

Be #GiftSmart: Scratch the Idea of Gifting Scratch & Win Tickets to Kids

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

be-#giftsmart:-scratch-the-idea-of-gifting-scratch-&-win-tickets-to-kids

BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season

With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.

“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”

While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.

“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”

In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.

“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:

Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.

AGCO

Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

jackpot-digital-receives-approval-from-agco-as-a-registered-gaming-supplier

Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.

This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.

Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.

“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.