Canada
Suspected Digital Fraud Coming from Canada Up Nearly 11% Since H1 2023, Reveals New TransUnion Analysis
In the first half (H1) of 2024, Canada saw a significant increase in suspected Digital Fraud attempts, with nearly 5.74% of all attempted digital transactions where the consumer was located in Canada involving suspected Digital Fraud, revealed a new TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU) analysis. This is nearly an 11% year-over-year (YoY) rate increase from H1 2023, and TransUnion also documented an 11% increase in the volume of suspected Digital Fraud from Canada during this period, despite a less than a one percent (0.7%) YoY increase in the volume of transactions.
According to a recent TransUnion survey,1 more than half (54%) of Canadians said they were recently targeted by email, phone call or text message fraud attempts. Phishing was the most common scheme type (45%), followed by smishing (42%) and vishing (39%).
The increasing use of digital transactions, combined with rising suspected Digital Fraud attempts are also impacting businesses as they potentially face revenue losses and increased operational costs due to fraud. According to a TransUnion business survey for the H2 2024 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud report, 200 Canadian business leaders said their companies lost approximately 6% of equivalent revenue – representing $78 billion – over the past year due to fraud. The most prominent causes of fraud loss cited by them were:
- Scam/Authorized fraud (31%): Dishonest scheme intended to trick a person into giving up something of value (e.g., account access, money, information)
- Account takeover (19%): Unauthorized individuals taking over someone’s online account (e.g., bank, social media, email) without their permission
- Synthetic identity fraud (18%): Use of a combination of personal information to fabricate a person or entity to commit a dishonest act for financial or personal gain
TransUnion also found that suspected Digital Fraud attempts – where the consumer was transacting in Canada and targeted businesses globally – increased on average by 10.5% YoY in H1 2024 compared to H1 2023 and impacted all industries.
Top Three Industries Globally with Highest Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts Coming from Canada in H1 2024
- Gambling (online sports betting, poker, etc.) – 9.6%
- Retail – 9.2%
- Government – 7.7%
Top Three Industries Globally with Highest YoY Increase (H1 2024 vs H1 2023) in the Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts Coming from Canada
- Logistics – 172.9%
- Gambling – 79.3%
- Video gaming – 67.8%
“Protecting customers and their businesses from fraud is essential to enabling safe and tailored consumer experiences. These findings reveal that despite the good-faith efforts that are being undertaken by companies to identify and prevent fraud to date, fraudsters continue to evolve and it’s vital that fraud prevention methods keep up with the changing times,” said Patrick Boudreau, head of identity management and fraud solutions at TransUnion Canada.
“Businesses that aren’t already doing so should ensure that they are taking advantage of fraud prevention technologies such as identity verification, IP intelligence, device reputation and synthetic identity detection as critical components of their fraud prevention programs,” he added.
AGCO
AGCO Takes Enforcement Action Against Two Companies for Allowing Their Games on Unregulated Gaming Websites
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served Relax Gaming Limited and Arrise Solutions Limited with Orders of Monetary Penalties of $40,000 each. The penalties follow an AGCO investigation that found games created by these companies were available on unregulated gambling websites accessible to Ontario players. Operators of gaming websites that are accessible within Ontario must be registered with the AGCO.
Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is built on clear, enforceable standards that require operators to include strong consumer protections, such as game integrity and responsible gaming safeguards. Unregulated gaming sites do not guarantee player protections or information security and increase the potential risk of harm to players and criminal activity, such as money-laundering and match-fixing. That is why the AGCO actively works to combat unlawful gaming in Ontario.
Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions are both registered by the AGCO to create and supply slot and casino-style games for play on Ontario’s regulated gaming sites. The AGCO prohibits companies operating in the regulated iGaming market from offering their products to unregulated gaming websites available to Ontario players. Supplying games to such sites helps to sustain unregulated gaming operations.
The AGCO aims to disrupt unregulated gaming and its supply chains to safeguard Ontarians and maintain gaming integrity in the province. The agency monitors the market for regulated entities supplying the unregulated sector.
Following notification from AGCO investigators, both companies cooperated fully with the investigation and took prompt action to restrict access to their games by Ontario players on unregulated sites.
“Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is built on clear rules designed to protect players and hold companies accountable. Unregulated gaming sites operate outside that framework, meaning players have no assurance of fair games, timely withdrawals, or access to meaningful dispute resolution. When regulated games appear on unregulated sites, it risks enabling a market that exposes players to real harm,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO.
The post AGCO Takes Enforcement Action Against Two Companies for Allowing Their Games on Unregulated Gaming Websites appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Acquisitions/Merger
Petroglyph Development Group Completes Acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), a wholly owned corporation of Snuneymuxw First Nation, and Great Canadian Entertainment (Great Canadian) confirmed the successful closing of PDG’s acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam, B.C. This transaction follows PDG’s recent acquisition of Chances Maple Ridge, marking another significant milestone in the Nation’s expanding portfolio of gaming and hospitality assets in British Columbia.
Snuneymuxw respectfully acknowledges the Kwikwetlem First Nation, on whose territory Great Canadian Casino Vancouver operates. The Nation looks forward to establishing a meaningful and lasting relationship with the Kwikwetlem people as PDG assumes stewardship of the property.
“The completion of this acquisition reflects the sustained effort and vision of Snuneymuxw people across generations. We are building an economy that is ours, one that funds our priorities, honours our responsibilities to neighbouring communities and creates opportunity for our people long into the future,” said Chief Michael Wyse, Xum’silum, Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Great Canadian Casino Vancouver is one of Metro Vancouver’s most established entertainment destinations, offering gaming, dining and live entertainment, including The Show Theatre.
“Building the Snuneymuxw economic portfolio is grounded in a vision of sustainable, self-determined growth and in the belief that meaningful economic development is built on strong Nation-to-Nation relationships. Operating on Kwikwetlem territory is a responsibility we take seriously, and we look forward to building a partnership that reflects that,” said Erralyn Joseph, President of PDG.
First announced on December 19, 2025, this is the fourth transaction completed between the two companies. With the addition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver, PDG’s gaming portfolio now includes Casino Nanaimo, Elements Casino Victoria, and Chances Maple Ridge, establishing its position as the largest Indigenous-owned gaming operator by revenue in Canada.
“This transaction is another milestone in our ongoing collaboration with Petroglyph Development Group and the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and we’re grateful for another successful closing. With this representing our fourth completed transaction with PDG, it speaks to the trust and confidence we have built together. I’d like to thank everyone from our respective teams for their hard work, and I look forward to seeing the properties thrive under PDG’s leadership,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian.
For PDG, the closing marks the latest step in a period of sustained and strategic growth.
“We are building a diversified, sustainable portfolio, while continuing to deliver real benefits for the communities where we operate. Great Canadian Casino Vancouver has long been an important part of the Coquitlam community, and that will not change,” said Ian Simpson, Yaatqumtun, Chief Executive Officer of PDG.
McMillan LLP acted as legal counsel to Great Canadian. McCarthy Tétrault LLP served as legal counsel, and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. acted as financial advisor to PDG. The transaction has received all required regulatory approvals and all closing conditions have been satisfied.
The post Petroglyph Development Group Completes Acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Canada
RESPWNED partners with LOTUS 8 to bring GIRLGAMER festival to Winnipeg in 2026
RESPWNED and LOTUS 8 have signed a partnership to launch the GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival in 2026, marking the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand’s expansion into Canada.
RESPWNED manages the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand, while LOTUS 8 is a Canada-based company focused on event development and partnerships. The companies said they will jointly develop and deliver the Winnipeg event, combining global esports IP management, event production, commercial partnerships, and local execution.
“This partnership represents an exciting milestone for GIRLGAMER as we continue to expand globally and bring our platform to new audiences,” said Tiago Fernandes, Managing Partner at RESPWNED. “Canada is a dynamic and fast-growing Esports market, and we are proud to collaborate with LOTUS 8 to deliver a meaningful and impactful event experience.”
Steven Vuong, representing LOTUS 8, added: “We are thrilled to partner with RESPWNED to bring the GIRLGAMER Festival to Canada. This collaboration reflects a shared vision of building inclusive, high-quality esports experiences while creating strong commercial and community value. Together, we are laying the foundation for a standout event in 2026.”
The GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival is planned as a family-oriented event with business networking, brand activations, and community programming, and is expected to include international and local talent. Additional details, including dates, venue, and participating partners, will be announced in the coming months.
The post RESPWNED partners with LOTUS 8 to bring GIRLGAMER festival to Winnipeg in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Central Europe7 days agoTipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel
-
Adjarabet7 days agoOctoplay launches in Georgia with Adjarabet
-
bet3657 days agoEvoplay adds bet365 to its Brazil operator lineup
-
Latest News7 days agoPRAGMATIC PLAY SETS UP SHOP WITH MR NULL’S WICKED WARES
-
Canada7 days agoPlayson expands North American reach with Mohegan Digital partnership
-
Armenian Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs7 days agoArmenia to Implement Strictest Gambling Regulations to Combat a Massive Surge in Addiction
-
game launches7 days agoSpinomenal releases 3 Magical Genies slot with Hold & Hit bonus
-
Canada6 days agoAnalysis flags World Cup 2026 stress test for Canada’s patchwork betting rules



