

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.
BetVictor
BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign

BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.
Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.
To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.
The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.
Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.
“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”
The post BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).
Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.
A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
QUOTE
“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:
- 1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
- 2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.
Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:
a) | On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15. |
b) | On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”. |
c) | On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”. |
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BCLC
BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign

BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.
The post BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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