

Canada
Exclusive Q&A with Sebastian Damian, Commercial Director at Booongo
Slots developer Booongo is gathering momentum across Latin America following a flurry of commercial deals, with its games now live with multiple operators across one of the industry’s fast expanding regions. We sat down with the company’s Commercial Director, Sebastian Damian, where he outlines Booongo’s ambitions in Latin America and why the market is ripe for further growth.
Gaming Americas: Booongo recently announced a commercial agreement in Latin America with Rivalo. Is the region a key focus of growth for you?
Sebastian Damian (SD): Latin America is one of the most exciting regions in the igaming industry at present, with many countries embracing legalised gambling and attracting an influx of new players. While some European countries are facing further challenges with regulatory tightening and uncertainty, Latin America is just beginning its ascent into becoming one of the most important regions in the world for online gaming.
We have a strategy which targets markets which ally to our attitudes towards innovation and growth, something which Latin America offers us now, and we’ll continue to expand our presence within the jurisdiction over the coming months.
Gaming Americas: Following the shutdown of live sports, many operators expanded their casino offering to provide players with alternative betting opportunities. How can they look to retain converted sports bettors going forward?
SD: While it’s natural to expect some sports bettors to return to their preferred betting experiences, there’s no doubt that some will have enjoyed the alternative products that have been presented to them during this uncertain period. Plays in slots have certainly increased for all suppliers and we’re hopeful the quality of our games will have converted a few into becoming active users beyond the return of live sports.
There are classic cross-sell options aimed at retaining sports bettors, such as sport themed slots or instant-win variants that can be played in lull periods of live sport. Operators and suppliers are becoming increasingly more creative in finding ways to keep players engaged and providing fun features to ensure they have a reason to stay connected to other igaming verticals.
Supporting engagement tools are really key from a retention perspective. From network promotions, prize drops and advantageous rates, suppliers can work with operators to provide their customer base with a more immersive gaming experience. Not all acquired customers will stay as casino players, but inventive approaches can significantly improve the likelihood of retention.
Gaming Americas: One of the more recent Booongo titles is Aztec Sun. Is creating market-themed content vital for entering certain regions? How are your games performing in the LatAm market?
SD: It’s about finding the right balance when entering new markets. Operators want to work with you because of the quality of content you have at your disposal. Market-specific games are really important in grabbing the initial interest of local players, but it’s also favourable to offer them a mix of games too.
The most important thing when creating content is sticking to what makes your brand unique and exciting, and blending those qualities with themes or ideas which work will in the targeted markets.
In general, we have found our titles have performed well in Latin America and it’s a region we are very excited to continue to explore and grow in.
Gaming Americas: More and more countries in LatAm are considering or in the process of regulating. Is Latin America poised to be the next big igaming focal point?
SD: Latin America’s trajectory has caught the attention of many executives and are inevitably very excited about the market’s future. While Colombia is leading the regulatory charge, there are plenty of other nations looking to follow suit. Brazil has begun preliminary discussions about sports betting, so hopefully casino isn’t too far behind. Other nations have started the regulatory journey, so yes, there is significant potential in Latin America.
There is a long way to go for it to become as established as some of the major European regions or as hyped as the opening up of the United States, but it is definitely well-positioned to be the next big growth area over the next few years.
Gaming Americas: Coljuegos has widely been lauded as an example for how regulation should be approached. Do you agree and how has the framework allowed the market to thrive?
SD: Getting the regulatory approach right can be difficult and across the world on an almost daily basis we hear arguments as to whether regulatory frameworks should be stricter or more lenient. For us, it is about getting the right blend that ensures the market can grow while also benefiting the government through a sensible tax rate. Colombia’s model is a very positive example in a region where regulation isn’t widespread at the moment, so it offers hope for Latin America, and a guidepost for how to approach creating a framework.
Each nation will require a slightly unique approach, but Colombia can be the example to follow.
Gaming Americas: Booongo has launched a tournament series, Money Chase. How important are promotional tournaments in retaining and acquiring new customers?
SD: Promotional tournaments offer an exciting change of pace for players, while giving operators a tool they can use specifically for acquisition and retention. It allows players to be competitive with their friends, reward those who have impressive wins, and keep players engaged long after a traditional session may have ended.
Our new tournament series, which is part of our HYPE promo tools range, differs slightly to usual tournaments, which can often favour serious players willing to stake significant amounts in return for tournament wins. It’s currently being used in our network campaign Money Chase to great effect by offering prizes for a single biggest win, rather than a cumulative amount, which provides casual players with an opportunity to win and also more of an incentive to participate in the tournament.
For us it is rewarding to give something back to players and fans through exciting promotions, while also giving our operator partners a useful resource where they can continue to keep players immersed in thrilling game session. Tournaments can be fantastic tools as all stakeholders have a positive experience at the end of it.
AGLC
Casino ATM Scam in Edmonton Reveals Money Laundering and Drug Links

Law enforcement in Alberta continues to search for the last suspect in a sophisticated fraud operation that targeted ATMs in Edmonton-area casinos and resulted in over CAD 1 million ($720,487) in losses throughout Western Canada.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has confirmed that Hisham Ismaeel, 28, remains at large with a province-wide warrant for his arrest. He faces charges of fraud exceeding $5000 and possessing proceeds of crime. Police have already arrested four other men linked to the scheme. Investigators describe the operation as a well-planned effort to exploit financial systems and clean dirty money.
The accused, Elliot Miao, 42, Van Bau Ta, 39, Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad, 37, and Dennis Jones, 42, showed up in the Alberta Court of Justice last week. They face charges from fraud and money laundering to owning criminal property. Miao also has a narcotics trafficking charge after police found cocaine when they searched with warrants.
Investigators claim the group made coordinated withdrawals at several casino ATMs, timing their transactions to avoid getting caught. This action messed up ATM networks in the area and showed flaws in the systems that banks and casinos use to stop misuse.
The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region led an investigation that involved six search warrants in Edmonton. The Edmonton Police Service, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), and several banks supported this effort. Officials said the case shows how teamwork between public agencies and the private sector plays a key role in combating modern financial crime.
AGLC representatives pointed out that casino operators in the province must follow strict reporting and surveillance rules under Canada’s anti-money laundering laws. The specific casinos affected remain unnamed, but the Edmonton region has seven licensed facilities. AGLC said its policies helped spot problems and backed the RCMP’s investigation.
Compliance experts say this fraud shows how criminals change their methods to take advantage of weak spots in reporting limits and transaction checks. They claim that casinos, which deal with lots of cash, are still easy targets unless they keep improving their detection systems and teach their front-line workers to notice coordinated actions like several big withdrawals happening one after another.
For now, the case highlights both the money and crime aspects of casino-related fraud. Besides the million-dollar losses, finding drugs during the raids points to a bigger criminal operation where financial crimes and drug dealing overlap.
The post Casino ATM Scam in Edmonton Reveals Money Laundering and Drug Links appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Bragg Gaming
Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems

Bragg Gaming Group, a leading online gaming technology provider, has confirmed a major cybersecurity incident that compromised its internal IT infrastructure in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The company detected unauthorized intrusion attempts that successfully breached its internal network, triggering an immediate and comprehensive incident response.
Key Takeaways
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Bragg Gaming Group experienced a cybersecurity breach involving access to internal IT systems.
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No customer personal data or payment information appears to have been compromised.
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The company has enacted full containment and investigation protocols.
Details of the Breach
According to a preliminary forensic analysis by Bragg’s internal security team, the attack was a targeted breach aimed at the company’s internal computer environment. While the exact method of intrusion is still under investigation, early indicators suggest a sophisticated exploit of internal network vulnerabilities.
Fortunately, the company’s customer-facing systems, including sensitive user data and financial information, appear to have been unaffected. Bragg’s existing encryption protocols and access control systems successfully prevented the attackers from accessing customer information.
Immediate Response Measures
In response to the breach, Bragg launched a multi-tiered containment strategy, including:
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Network Segmentation to isolate affected systems
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Enhanced Monitoring of data flows across its Remote Games Server (RGS) platform
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Security Audits of critical infrastructure, including the Bragg Hub and PAM systems
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Engagement of Independent Cybersecurity Experts to assist in incident analysis and system hardening
Bragg’s Security Operations Center has also elevated its alert level, initiating 24/7 monitoring across all server clusters and network endpoints. In addition, company-wide penetration testing is now underway to proactively identify any residual vulnerabilities.
Business Continuity Maintained
Despite the severity of the breach, Bragg reports that its operations remain unaffected. All gaming services, including iCasino and sportsbook offerings across regulated markets, continue to function without disruption.
“While this incident is deeply concerning, we are confident in the rapid and thorough response initiated by our team,” a company spokesperson stated. “We remain committed to protecting our infrastructure, our partners, and most importantly, our players.”
Looking Ahead
As part of its response, Bragg has also launched mandatory security awareness training for all employees to reinforce best practices and prevent future incidents.
Cybersecurity analysts will continue working with Bragg to determine the full scope of the attack, improve system resilience, and maintain the trust of its users and stakeholders.
Bragg’s handling of the incident highlights both the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the importance of robust, responsive defense systems in the digital gaming sector.
Source: cybersecuritynews.com
The post Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.
Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.
These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.
Important Reminders
• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.
• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.
• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.
• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.
For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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