

Canada
New Holiday Consumer Research From MobileVoice™ by Tapjoy
Here is the new holiday consumer research from MobileVoice
“It’s been quite a year for the mobile industry! Between the COVID-19 pandemic permanently changing people’s relationships with their smartphones, Apple’s iOS 14.5 release, and the continued revenue growth of mobile gaming, staying up on mobile trends and advertising opportunities has been a challenge — and we’re only just hitting the hectic holiday season.
“Here at Tapjoy, we’ve chronicled the ongoing evolution of the mobile landscape in a series of comprehensive Modern Mobile Gamer
“In this post, we’ll cover why mobile should be at the forefront of your holiday advertising plans. With the majority of mobile users on the Tapjoy network reporting that they’ll be using their smartphones and tablets for holiday shopping this year, it’s the perfect environment to reach holiday shoppers.”
Holiday purchasing power of mobile gamers
“In total, we surveyed 14,000+ US consumers on Tapjoy’s network to understand their holiday preferences and behaviors. One of the most striking findings was that 80% say they plan to make holiday purchases this year. Nearly half of consumers (42%) also say they plan to spend even more this holiday season compared to 2020. Together these statistics illustrate that as a group, mobile gamers are high-intent shoppers.
“Beyond intent, mobile gamers also indicate strong purchasing power. Among the mobile gamers we surveyed, 15% said they plan to spend over $1,000 on holiday gifts this year. An additional 52% say they’ll spend over $250, while 22% plan to purchase more than $500 in holiday gifts.
“And what types of retailers will be at the receiving end of this projected spending? Consumers plan to shop across a diverse array of retail establishments. 82% said they’ll purchase from general merchandise retailers, 43% say they plan to buy directly from a brand, and 40% said they will patronize small, local businesses. Majority of consumers (73%) also say they’ll take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales — but the window to reach this audience is open throughout December. 73% say they continue shopping till the last minute, between one to three weeks before the holidays.
“In sum: Mobile gamers are an incredibly valuable target audience for advertisers in the 2021 holiday season. Brands who reach this audience in November and December will tap into its purchasing power — and position themselves for impactful holiday returns.”
‘Tis the season (for mobile shopping)
“After a challenging 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic, the holiday spirit is back in a big way. According to our data, 76% of respondents are looking forward to the holidays, and the vast majority have shopping in mind. Just as importantly, 69% of consumers will use their mobile devices to do that holiday shopping. With mobile shifting to the forefront of shopping experiences, it’s not surprising that consumers say this medium will be a focal environment for holiday purchasing.
“Consumers are relying on retail apps (64%) and the mobile web (58%) as their primary holiday shopping methods this upcoming season. So what does this all mean? It’s simple: Advertisers who scale up mobile advertising campaigns will reach highly engaged consumers. And since shopping apps play such a big role in mobile holiday shopping, retailers need to ensure that the experience is smooth and intuitive from start to finish.
Holiday time is gaming time
“Aside from shopping, mobile users plan on doing a lot of gaming this holiday season. While enjoying time off from work or traveling to visit family, mobile gaming provides a welcome respite from the chaos. With 66% of mobile users reporting that they open mobile games three or more times every day during the holiday season, this channel is integral for brands looking to increase awareness and connect consumers to products and services.
“Our data shows that certain types of mobile ads are particularly influential with holiday shoppers. Half of those surveyed said they use rewarded ad offers to get holiday gift ideas, and 59% of parents engage with playable ads during the holidays. Mobile gamers are most likely to engage with retail and shopping ads, but food, beverage, and restaurant ads are also popular.
“There’s no doubt about it: Mobile games continue to represent a huge growth opportunity for advertisers, especially during the holidays.”
Black Friday still reigns supreme
“The nature of Black Friday has changed over the years, but it remains one of the most popular shopping days of the entire year. Rather than force their way through thick crowds at brick-and-mortar stores, however, many consumers prefer the more relaxed online environment for Black Friday deals. On the Tapjoy network, 69% of users said that they plan to shop on Black Friday this year, though Cyber Monday isn’t far behind with 62% planning to participate. Overall, 56% of users reported that Black Friday and “Cyber Monday are their preferred times to get their holiday shopping done. In other words, mobile advertisers should be ready for an influx of consumer attention in the days following Thanksgiving.
“Parents are a particularly attentive demographic during this time: 76% plan to shop on Black Friday, and a whopping 84% are ready to drop some cash on Cyber Monday. Clothes and footwear are the top gifting categories in almost every demographic, though toys and games come in a close second.
“It’s not exactly breaking news that the holiday season drives consumer spending, but what’s changing is how much consumers are relying on their smartphones to make their lists and check them twice. The 2021 holiday period will be a time of significant mobile usage, and — if you play your cards right — significant growth.”
Betty
Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.
Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.
Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.
Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.
Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.
Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.
“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”
Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.
“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”
The post Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BCLC
Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].
Registration and program details will be released later this fall.
The post Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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