Gambling Weekly News Summary in Canada – 20/12
Integrated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app launches in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive has launched its new and updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, which combines the Bally Casino and Bally Bet Sportsbook into one platform. Richard Harris, Chief Commercial Officer for Bally’s Interactive, commented on the launch, saying that “Ontario stands out as one of the few North American jurisdictions that permits both sports betting and online casino operations.”
NBA Super Slam is now available in Ontario via FanDuel Casino
FanDuel has partnered with White Hat Studios to develop a slot with the NBA, available to FanDuel Casino players in Ontario, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Former basketball player Chandler Parsons said he is “excited to be partnering with FanDuel Casino to launch NBA Super Slam.” The game offers an immersive NBA experience with an arena, a cheering crowd, and, of course, basketballs.
Fanatics plans to launch in Canada eventually, says COO
Scot McClintic, the Chief Operating Officer of Fanatics Betting & Gaming, discussed the potential of the company expanding into Canada. “We definitely want to be in Canada. Will we be in Canada? Yes. It’s all just a timing question.” The brand is also an official partner of Canada’s only NBA team, the Toronto Raptors.
Golden Matrix Group looking to bring Expanse Studios to Ontario
Gaming technology company Golden Matrix Group has applied for a B2B gaming license for its Expanse Studios subsidiary to launch in Ontario. Expanse currently has a presence in over 50 regulated gaming markets, offering slots, table games, social casino games, and more. “We are optimistic about the opportunities Ontario presents and confident in our ability to contribute to this thriving iGaming ecosystem,” says Expanse CEO Damjan Stamenkovic.
iGaming Ontario chief executive to stay until March 2025
iGaming Ontario (iGO) has posted an update on its search for a new chief executive, with Martha Otton set to leave at the end of 2024. It reads, “The Board remains committed to iGaming Ontario’s vision and to continue building on our collective work to establish and grow Ontario’s iGaming market.” To help facilitate an orderly transition, Martha has agreed to delay her retirement until March 31, 2025.
Flows debuts new omnichannel solution in Canada and other markets
The London-based company Flows, which received a strategic investment from Light & Wonder earlier this year, has launched the omnichannel solution “FlowsOmni.” It allows operators to seamlessly connect physical and digital player experiences. Flows CEO James King commented: “With regulatory momentum gaining pace, from established markets like the U.S. and Canada to emerging opportunities in New Zealand, the Middle East, Brazil and Asia, operators with retail and online presence are primed to benefit from a truly unified omnichannel suite.”
Snaitech CEO sells shares as Flutter acquisition nears
Snaitech CEO Fabio Schiavolin sold 70,000 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange for £523,896 (CA$942,533). This comes ahead of the company’s deal to be acquired by Flutter Entertainment, a €2.3 billion (CA$3.4 billion) transaction that is expected to close by the second quarter of 2025.
Jontay Porter’s sentencing pushed back to 2025
Jontay Porter, the former Toronto Raptors center, was banned for life from the NBA back in April after admitting to violating their gambling policies while playing for the Toronto Raptors. He was set to be sentenced on December 18. Peter Czegledy, a partner at Aird and Berlis who chairs the Toronto law firm’s gaming group, said: “I would expect that the court will be very careful in its deliberations – and that the sentence will combine both a prison term and significant financial restitution.” However, reports have revealed that his sentencing has now been pushed back to May 2025.
Ziv (Steve) Chen
CEO at Major League Content
Ziv has been working in the iGaming industry for more than two decades, serving in senior roles in software developers like Playtech and Microgaming. He then followed his lifelong passion of writing and became a fulltime journalist, covering casinos, sports betting, legislation and other gambling topics and news with a specialty in North America.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziv-steve-chen-94b01b5/
