Canada
Light & Wonder Unleashes Never-Before-Seen Gaming Innovations at G2E
Leading cross-platform global games company Light & Wonder, Inc. announced new products at this year’s Global Gaming Expo (“G2E”) that will bring wide-eyed wonder to players, customers and operators around the world. New products unveiled at G2E included COSMIC, a sustainable solution for operators; Light & Wonder LIVE DEALER by Authentic Gaming, a live casino experience; and enhancements to its industry-leading suite of systems.
L&W’s new products and innovations presented at G2E address the shift in player behavior. The movement in gameplay to immersive and connected offerings underscores the Company’s focus on building great games that the world wants to play across multiple platforms – land-based casinos, online and mobile – in both real-money and free-to-play social gaming markets.
“Over the past seven months, Light & Wonder has transformed from a diversified business to a company focused solely on cross-platform gaming and enabling technologies,” said Matt Wilson, CEO of Light & Wonder. “The new products we announced today will enable us to continue to lead the way. By investing in next-level experiences, content, technology, systems, hit studios and platforms that redefine gaming, we remain committed to delivering great games the world wants to play.”
Endless fun for players, wherever and whenever they play The next generation of electronic table games will give players a live connection to the internet, bringing exciting casino experiences across any device. Light & Wonder LIVE DEALER by Authentic Gaming offers such an experience, using a bespoke studio environment to provide a wide selection of shared live tables available to all operators. Graphical elements, UIs and side bets can all be customized to each operator’s brand and players.
Wide-area progressive jackpots are now being made available to U.S. iGaming operators, premiering with the player-favorite DUŌ FÚ DUŌ CÁI – JACKPOT FESTIVAL “We know player behavior is changing, and we are passionate about bringing players the best digital experiences, no matter where they are,” said Dylan Slaney, EVP and CEO of iGaming, Light & Wonder. “With our recent acquisition of Playzido we are rigged for pace, accelerating our rapid custom game development for both in-house games and with our partners globally. Our other acquisitions, Elk Studios and Lightning Box Games, are consistently delivering and growing, with Elk preparing for U.S. licensing for launch and Lightning Box building on their 57% year on year growth. Light & Wonder continues to raise the bar for our fans, enriching their gameplay experience and bringing exciting, new worlds of play – all on the world’s most trusted iGaming ecosystem.”
Light & Wonder is also bringing its popular and top performing ETG game ROULETTEX Hybrid, QUARTZ Standalone, TABLEMASTER Delivering industry-leading products to modernize and popularize the casino floor “The ingenuity powering our program is unparalleled,” said Siobhan Lane, Light & Wonder CEO of Gaming. “We remain totally focused on fostering inclusive, high-performing experiences across our product line. As the only company with leading market positions in gaming, iGaming and social, we will continue to break barriers in the cross-platform space.”
Light & Wonder is also unveiling some exciting innovations in systems, technologies and shufflers:
Enhancing the player journey across all touchpoints
COSMIC, a new slot cabinet, offers players an immersive experience with revolutionary fiber-optic lighting and advanced animations. The cabinet’s innovative contour design features a 27” top monitor display that flows seamlessly into the player panel, which includes the brightest bash buttons ever developed by L&W. COSMIC is the latest addition to the company’s chart-topping hardware lineup, joining KASCADA 7000.
The Company’s full suite of high-tech solutions and systems enables partners and casino operators to gather valuable, real-time insights into their casino floor activity.
Additionally, heading into G2E, L&W recently announced that it had acquired all of the assets of House Advantage (HA), a leading loyalty and marketing software and technology provider known for its core platform, “HALo.” “The addition of HA’s industry leading software and technology solutions allows us to capitalize on the growing convergence of digital and land-based gaming,” said Matt Wilson, CEO of Light & Wonder. “With HALo, we gain a powerful omnichannel player loyalty solution that complements our current product family and enables us to deliver a truly differentiated offering. We look forward to highlighting this new offering with customers during G2E and beyond.”
Canada
Great Canadian Entertainment and Petroglyph Development Group Announce Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Elements Casino Victoria
Great Canadian Entertainment announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Elements Casino Victoria to Petroglyph Development Group Ltd. (PDG) in yet another historic transaction for both parties.
This transaction comes on the heels of the previously announced definitive agreement for Great Canadian Entertainment to sell its other landmark property and business on Vancouver Island, Casino Nanaimo, to PDG. PDG is a wholly owned corporation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation (the Nation) and is dedicated to realizing the economic potential of the Nation.
Great Canadian’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by the regulatory authorities. The Company will provide transition services to PDG for up to two years post-closing.
“We are very pleased to have executed this second historic agreement with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. From its original opening as View Royal Casino in 2001, to major expansion and rebranding of the property in 2018 as Elements Casino Victoria, we are looking forward to the next chapter for this beautiful and historic Vancouver Island destination under PDG’s stewardship. We are excited to work with the Petroglyph team during the transition period to ensure yet another outstanding outcome for the community, our guests, our team members, and the Nation,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment.
“We celebrate our growing partnership with Great Canadian and our continued progress toward building a strong Snuneymuxw economy that provides a solid foundation for Snuneymuxw self-determination and nationhood. With the acquisition of a second casino operation, we continue to honour the decades of work by past Snuneymuxw leadership who tirelessly pursued this goal, as we begin to realize various opportunities that contribute to optimizing Snuneymuxw socioeconomic potential. Our Nation is sharply focused to make investments that bring returns to our people and builds our presence in the economy so that Snuneymuxw takes its rightful place. Today, we also celebrate our partnership with the B.C. Lottery Corporation in our shared pursuit to support the growth of the provincial economy and First Nation participation,” said Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse.
Erralyn Joseph, President of PDG, said: “This measured acquisition is one that PDG celebrates on our quest to build a corporate enterprise that reinvests into Snuneymuxw First Nation. With a strong operating plan that includes risk mitigation and yields sizable gains, PDG is well on its way to generating wealth for Snuneymuxw and taking a seat at the local, regional, provincial, national and global economic tables. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to share this news and remain committed to advancing the region’s economic growth in support of all its residents.”
Ian Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of PDG, said: “Acquiring this significant asset will unlock unprecedented economic potential for Snuneymuxw and PDG, paving the way for transformative growth in Snuneymuxw’s economy and the profits that PDG returns to our Nation.”
McMillan is serving as legal counsel to Great Canadian. McCarthy Tétrault is acting as legal counsel and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor to PDG.
Canada
Edmonton Oilers and Play Alberta Extend Partnership
The Edmonton Oilers and Play Alberta announced a new agreement that makes Play Alberta the exclusive sports betting and online gaming partner of the Edmonton Oilers.
The deal will see the Play Alberta logo featured prominently on the Oilers home jerseys and GameSense, AGLC’s responsible gambling program, displayed on the helmets of the Oilers for each home game.
“Play Alberta is proud to continue its partnership with the Edmonton Oilers over the next several seasons. We value our patrons and the fans of the Oilers and are thrilled to see PlayAlberta.ca, Alberta’s trusted gambling platform along with the best-in-class responsible gambling program – GameSense – as prominent fixtures on the Oilers uniformsuniforms,” said Kandice Machado, Chief Executive Officer at AGLC.
PlayAlberta.ca is a leader in the iGaming landscape in the province. All money generated through the site goes to the General Revenue Fund, which supports programs and services that Albertans rely on every day. In addition, the website has integrated AGLC’s GameSense and Self-Exclusion programs to better support players in their gambling journey.
“We are proud to call Play Alberta the official sportsbook of the Edmonton Oilers. With the revenue generated by Play Alberta going to valued services and programs that help enrich the lives of Albertans, donning the Play Alberta logo on our iconic home jersey is a testament to our long-term commitment to communities across Oil Country,” said Stew MacDonald, President & Chief Revenue Officer, OEG Sports & Entertainment.
The relationship between the Edmonton Oilers and PlayAlberta.ca will allow fans to experience the Play Alberta and GameSense brands through promotions in Rogers Place and ICE District, as well as giveaways throughout the season, including game tickets and memorabilia.
This past year, PlayAlberta.ca generated $235 million in net sales, an increase of more than $42 million from 2022-23. That number contributes to the $1.5 billion in total gaming revenue that’s sent to Alberta’s General Revenue Fund and supports programs and services that Albertans rely on every day.
AI
British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Future Anthem partner to establish Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Hub in Vancouver
Partnership will create dedicated specialist team to develop and deploy AI to improve player experiences across gaming products and channels.
BCLC has partnered with Future Anthem, a UK-based gambling data science specialist, on the creation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Innovation Hub (the “Hub”), to be located at BCLC’s Vancouver office.
The Hub will focus on the development of AI, data capabilities and programs designed to improve the player experience across all BCLC gambling platforms, including lottery, gaming, and sports. It will employ a team of data and product professionals, with access to Future Anthem’s Data Science platform.
“BCLC is excited to be partnering with Future Anthem to create the first AI innovation hub in B.C. focused on the gambling industry,” says Mark Goldberg, BCLC’s Chief Information Officer. “We know that the key components of the Hub will be its data driven research and software product development to support player engagement and experience, safer play and improved game design – core BCLC business areas.”
Managed in partnership through a joint Steering Committee that includes senior representatives from both BCLC and Future Anthem, the Hub will create and cultivate highly specialized, Vancouver-based AI technology jobs utilising Future Anthem’s strong experience in building teams focused on AI research and development, complemented by a small team of BCLC employees with skills and experience in this area.
“This dynamic partnership combines our expertise, reach, and technologies and allows us to harness AI for good – to bring true and measurable benefits to players in a responsible, sustainable, and enjoyable manner,” says Leigh Nissim, CEO and Founder of Future Anthem. “With access to more data across all verticals and channels to build amazing machine learning models and AI applications, I am confident this collaboration will quickly deliver benefits to BCLC and its players to reinforce its lead position within lotteries globally.”
As well as recruiting the team in Vancouver, Future Anthem will deploy its market-leading real time AI platform locally to employ best practices for AI product development and governance within the Hub, which includes protocols to ensure transparency of AI use, data security, and management of AI models and their player impact. These models are designed to use anonymised data that is stored in Canada.
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