Canada
CTP and Square in the Air Launch ‘Chalk + Dog Communications’
Sports wagering-focused agency to focus on expanding North American market, integrate their collective international industry experience, expertise
Sports, betting and gaming communications agency Square in the Air has entered into a joint venture with integrated marketing agency CTP to launch a new agency aimed primarily at the burgeoning sports betting and igaming sector in North America.
Chalk + Dog Communications, which officially launches today, offers a range of services to B2B and B2C companies, including PR, sponsorship activation, social media, paid media, brand strategy, creative production, design, digital marketing, branding and analytics. The agency already has two active clients in Tally Technology and Huddle Tech.
Square in the Air was founded in 2006 as a boutique sports, betting and gaming PR and marketing agency and has grown to a 40-plus team with clients all over the world. CTP, a 50-person agency based in Boston, was founded in 1996 and manages marketing, advertising and communications programs for a range of sports and betting clients including the Boston Red Sox, TVG, Breeders’ Cup, and many others.
Chalk + Dog Communications is headed up by Square in the Air Director Ben Cleminson and CTP SVP Public Relations Todd Graff, with support from both agencies’ full service creative and communications teams. In addition, Jeremy Balan, formerly a reporter at Sports Handle, Bloodhorse and other publications, is joining CTP as a public relations account supervisor later this month as part of the Chalk + Dog team.
Commenting on the new venture, Square in the Air Managing Director, Bill Esdaile, said: “We’ve been considering the best way for Square in the Air to fully enter the U.S. market for some time. We have a number of clients in North America, but we’ve never had people on the ground.
“When we first met CTP, it quickly became clear that they were the perfect partner for us to launch this joint venture with. Like us, they are passionate about sports, betting and gaming, they have a fantastic book of clients and some really talented people.
“The combined expertise, knowledge, passion and commitment of both agencies is a powerful proposition and Chalk + Dog is here to help companies big and small achieve their communications and marketing goals in what is a hugely exciting market.”
Chip Tuttle, CTP Partner, added: “We’ve increasingly been working in the sports wagering space over the last few years, developing a deep understanding of the opportunities and obstacles that brands face, so we’re very excited to launch Chalk + Dog.
“Square in the Air is an ideal partner for this venture given the firm’s trusted leadership, expertise and track record of helping clients in the wagering and gaming sectors. We’re excited about the opportunities as sports betting, online wagering, and related businesses continue to grow in North America.”
The name Chalk + Dog evokes both the favorite and the underdog in betting parlance. A full website will be live at www.chalkanddog.com in the coming weeks.
Canada
ComeOn Group adds sportsbook to its offering in Ontario
ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.
ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.
ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”
*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)
BCLC
INTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT Inc., its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalization of the existing land-based network.
The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
INTRALOT is a leading player in a changing world of gaming. With significant experience in looking forward and anticipating emerging trends, the company provides future-proof solutions to regulated lottery and gaming operators around the world.
Canada
Relax Gaming joins forces with PointsBet to strengthen footprint in Ontario
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Ontario market through an agreement with leading Canadian operator, PointsBet.
This partnership reinforces Relax Gaming’s aim to become a standout provider across North America, having already gained early success in Ontario. Relax became one of the first suppliers to deliver content to the region’s players in March 2022, debuting with over 120 games across multiple operators.
PointsBet pride themselves as one of Canada’s leading operators offering unmatched speed, ease of use, and a comprehensive array of pre-game and in-play sports betting options. This is complemented by a top-tier online casino which will now be boosted with the integration of Relax’s portfolio of slots and live dealer options.
With its authentic Canadian approach, PointsBet prioritises technology that minimises external dependencies to maintain control over its platform and has a commitment to responsible gambling best practices, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all players.
Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “Since we launched in Ontario we have enjoyed tremendous success, with our content hitting the sweet spot for the broad range of players in the Canadian province. This partnership with PointsBet will strengthen our presence in the market as the region’s leading operator integrates our rich content portfolio which will engage its player base.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, added: “Relax Gaming has established a strong reputation across North America and in Ontario in particular. The impressive range of content that will be integrated into our platform will increase engagement within our online platform and we are delighted to be able to provide more immersive experiences to our audiences.”
Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.
Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.
-
gaming2 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018