Canadian Casino Newsflash – AGCO Bans Athlete Ads, New B2B Developer & More!

What does it mean for athletes unable to accept gambling sponsorships? Plus, we bring you more headlines in this latest Canadian Casino newsflash! (Photo by Victoire Joncheray on Unsplash)

The Canadian iGaming scene is among the most active and on par with news from the UK gambling industry. It is a country where the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regularly brings breaking news while more provincial and territorial licensing authorities are also making headlines.

In today’s Canadian casino news report, we lift off with news of the new AGCO ban on athletes repping gambling bans, followed by slightly more positive news. That comes in the form of a new software provider gaining an iGaming Ontario certificate to offer its B2B services in the province.

In other news, the AGCO recently announced that Karin Scharr is the new chief executive and registrar. You can catch up with the latest iGaming company managerial moves in the latest Sports Betting & Casino Company Appointments news report. The same news story also welcomes Heidi Reinhart as iGaming Ontario’s new chair and Susan Flett as the new CEO of The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan licensing authority.

What is an online gambling licensing authority? If you are new to online gambling and are asking this question, then kudos. There’s more information on this topic via the best rated online casinos hub.

Celeb Gambling Company Endorsements Forbidden by AGCO

Now that AGCO knows its iGaming market is growing and in demand, we can expect it to become a little UKGC-esque with how it conducts its business. The first sign is already here, as the licensing authority strictly forbids celebrity endorsements for online gambling.

The move comes at the same time Dr. Karen Schnarr became the organisation’s new CEO. It is part of the authority’s push to ensure it holds up its mission to follow a strict, responsible gambling code of ethics. One area where the AGCO feels adults and youngsters are at risk is when celebrities endorse a gambling brand. Research from across Europe and Australia has shown that celebrities as influencers could persuade people to gamble. This is one route into gambling that the AGCO does not want on its plate.

I have to say, I agree with the AGCO’s move on this one. If it means a safer, more responsible gambling environment, then I see no reason to push back against it. With that said, it could hurt some businesses, but as this is a new, up-and-coming market, adapting to this new rule now is better than relying on income generated through celebrity sponsorship and having it taken away later.

Chief Executive of the AGCO Tom Mungham said: “We’re increasing measures to protect Ontario’s youth by disallowing the use of these influential figures to promote online betting.”

Playtech’s NorthStar Reports Record Revenue Growth

And just in case you are interested, earlier in the week, NorthStar, an Ontario online casino brand heavily invested in by Playtech, reported considerable increases in revenue despite a drop in profits. The news of NorthStar’s revenue increase is no surprise, but profits are being hit by the significant cost of competing in the Ontario iGaming market.

Ontario’s iGaming and sports betting market is booming, with its first four quarters showing immense growth in gambling revenues. As of Q1 2023, there were 46 operators and 71 software providers and B2B brands competing.

To dig deeper into Canada’s licensing, operators, casinos, and game developers, there is a dedicated page to the Canadian online casino industry.

BeyondPlay Gains iGaming Ontario Licensing

Another software provider has entered the Ontario iGaming market as a software provider. This time, BeyondPlay will offer up its B2B services, which include jackpot engines and multiplayer game solutions.

One of the key reasons the company is popular with software providers and operators is its innovative Jackpot Management Software. The company is already successful globally after gaining its B2B licensing with the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). BeyondPlay also gained its Swedish Gaming Authority (SGA) and has become a firm fixture in the Swedish iGaming zone.

Andrii Grygorovych, who is BeyongPlay’s Head of Compliance has said he is pleased that the company has now gained further licensing in the North American market with the AGCO. It shows that the company is dedicated to offering services in regions where regulations enforce compliance. Entering the Ontario iGaming is yet another leap forward for this growing online gambling company.

Software Providers in Ontario: 1×2, Authentic, Bally’s, BetGames, Blueprint, Evolution, Entain, Greentube, Hacksaw Gaming, JustForTheWin, L&W, Microgaming, ORYX, Pariplay, Play’n GO, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Push, Quickspin, TRG, Relax, and Wazdan.