

Canada
Exclusive Q&A with Alessandro Sposito, Head of Business Development at ESA Gaming
With Colombia’s regulatory framework widely being heralded as a success, does it allow for greater appetite for innovation within the jurisdiction?
There is absolutely greater appetite for innovation, and we see that with new products being certified all the time. At the same time you can only keep pace with the consumer, especially from a technological standpoint, so it is important to respect their wishes and understand how best to provide a product and an experience that suits their needs.
It is fruitless developing products which are not needed or desired, so it is vital to devise solutions which will add value to a player’s experience. This is encouraged through regulations which clearly work, so Colombia is becoming a hotbed for innovative titles.
LatAm is home to a number of exciting, emerging markets. Do any of these have the potential to be the next big hub in iGaming?
The whole of LatAm is monitoring Colombia and its progress through regulation and its success is a huge stimulus for other countries within the region. Many more opportunities are on the horizon as nations try to follow the example of Colombia. This combined with the lure of taxation and regulation will lead to a natural evolution of the online gaming markets. With such a large, and sports mad, populace, the entire region is very enticing for all.
As with any new emerging market they get to play catch up a bit, but they can also learn so much from more established markets meaning their evolution can be that much faster.
If the countries continue to regulate with success, the entire region could become a focal point for the exciting next phase of iGaming.
How have your products been received in Latin American jurisdictions so far, and what is on the horizon for ESA Gaming in the region?
Together with partners in LatAm we have launched poker with Betplay and it is our ambition to become a leading poker network in Colombia. This obviously relies on shared liquidity within the country, and this again is something we are confident will happen in the very near future. We will also be launching our EasySwipe portfolio in the region with lightweight HTML5 mobile-first games that integrates seamlessly into sportsbooks, allowing users to enjoy the best quality casino games without disrupting the sports betting experience.
Looking further into the future, we want to continue to grow our presence across our entire product range with operators in all of LatAm’s regulated markets.
Will the appetite for niche products, such as esports and virtuals, continue to grow within emerging markets even when sporting events return?
It is inevitable that some will return to what they know and love. While some will strictly focus on sports betting, others have discovered that they enjoy new products, such as esports or virtuals, and will expand their appetites across sports and these newer experiences.
The lack of sport gave a spotlight to these niche verticals, and while they may not now dominate public conscience, the growth afforded will allow for more innovations and a greater level of growth than previously seen for these products that are usually sidelined.
Coljuegos is considering allowing poker liquidity between licenced operators, how important is this for the vertical to truly thrive?
Allowing poker liquidity is fundamental to ensure a level playing field for operators of varying sizes and to ensure poker can really thrive from a player perspective.
If liquidity increases, it will attract more players which will have greater choice, operators will increase revenue, and suppliers will have the perfect proving ground for exciting poker products with a receptive audience.
AGCO
INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES ONTARIO GAMING LICENSE

Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded an Ontario Gaming License by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), effective today. This achievement enables the company to offer its portfolio of real-money games to licensed operators and players across the province.
The license underscores the Incentive Games’ commitment to meeting the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational excellence. The rigorous application process demands robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures and affirms the company’s readiness to enter one of Canada’s most dynamic iGaming markets.
The North American market is a strategic focus for Incentive Games, and this milestone follows closely on the heels of the company receiving its Provisional Michigan gaming licence from the Michigan Gaming Control Board earlier this month.
Incentive Games will distribute its real-money gaming content in Ontario through Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, ensuring a focused and tailored approach to the market.
“Ontario represents a huge opportunity for us, and securing this license is a proud moment for the whole team,” said John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer at Incentive Games. “It reinforces our dedication to meeting the highest standards while delivering compelling real-money content. We’re looking forward to building strong relationships in the region and continuing our momentum across regulated markets worldwide.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES ONTARIO GAMING LICENSE appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGLC
AGLC Announces New Board Chair

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has announced the appointment of Larry Spagnolo as the new Board Chair, effective August 15, 2025. This announcement follows the official Order in Council issued by the Alberta Government and marks a new chapter in AGLC’s ongoing commitment to support communities, encourage responsible choices and position Alberta as the best place to do business.
Larry brings a wealth of experience in technology and business leadership to the AGLC Board and will play an integral role in guiding AGLC’s strategic direction. He is currently serving as VP and GM of Emerson’s SaaS SCADA business and has held senior roles at Zedi and Telus, driving innovation, growth, and global success.
A strong advocate for education and community, Larry serves as Vice Chair of Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and has held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community contributions.
AGLC and the Board of Directors extend their heartfelt thanks to Len Rhodes for his leadership and dedication as Board Chair since August 2019. He decided not to seek a third term and will continue to serve in this role until August 14, 2025. Len led AGLC through some significant milestones, including reducing red tape by 51%, growth of the emerging cannabis industry and ensuring AGLC delivered a balanced approach to business development, social responsibility, and regulatory oversight.
The post AGLC Announces New Board Chair appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Bonus Guardian
Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut

EveryMatrix has expanded its partnership with tier-1 operator Pinnacle powering its new casino in Ontario, Canada, using CasinoEngine platform technology – the first time its platform solution has gone live in North America.
The latest agreement builds on the two companies’ previous collaboration that saw EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine productivity platform power the well-known brand’s global casino offering.
The new launch takes the relationship to North America, marking EveryMatrix’s debut CasinoEngine platform integration in that market.
BonusEngine, EveryMatrix’s cross-vertical bonusing tool will be integrated in the second phase of launch. This will equip Pinnacle Ontario with a host of bonus types as well as AI-powered bonus abuse solution Bonus Guardian.
BonusEngine is the first of multiple engagement tools from EveryMatrix’s EngageSuite that Pinnacle plans to integrate.
With this comprehensive toolkit at its disposal, and the opportunity to add even more casino products in the future, Pinnacle Ontario can tailor campaigns, segment audiences, and reward players more effectively, creating a world-class digital entertainment experience for its customers.
EveryMatrix has more than 300 global customers and holds North American licences in Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Stian Enger Petersen, CEO, Casino, EveryMatrix, said: “This launch marks a key milestone for EveryMatrix as we bring our market-leading CasinoEngine platform to Canada for the first time.
“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Pinnacle and support their ambitions in Ontario with a powerful combination of platform, content, and engagement tools that are proven to drive success.”
The post Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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