Canada
Sweepstakes Casinos Are A Top-Tier Choice
Online casino gaming has always been a big deal in the U.S., but the industry’s popularity has seen a massive resurgence over the past few years. This becomes increasingly evident as more and more states open their doors to virtual casinos. But what do you do if you live in a state that doesn’t have online casino gaming on its horizon for the distant future? The perfect solution is sweepstakes casinos.
If you haven’t heard of them before, sweepstakes casinos are an alternative to traditional, real-money online casinos. In fact, many iCasino enthusiasts would say that they aren’t merely an alternative but a bona fide casino gaming option in their own right.
These kinds of online casino platforms can provide countless hours of entertainment and net you tidy sums of winnings. But here are the two best things about sweepstakes casinos: they offer free gameplay, and you can still play sweepstakes online for money.
How Do Sweepstakes Casinos Work?
Sweepstakes Casinos utilize two different types of virtual currencies for their games: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Gold Coins are for free gameplay. They are given freely through site promotions and giveaways, and they can also be purchased through the sweepstakes casino’s online store.
The other virtual currency, Sweeps Coins, cannot be purchased and can only be obtained through giveaways and promotions. They are also given as a bonus when players purchase a Gold Coin package.
For example, if you were to purchase a $10 Gold Coin package, you would be given a large number of Gold Coins; the specific amount depends on the sweepstakes casino at which you are playing. In addition to the Gold Coins, you would also receive 10 Sweeps Coins that can be used to play any of the sweepstakes casino’s numerous games.
So what sets these precious Sweeps Coins apart from Gold Coins? Sweeps Coins won through casino gameplay can be exchanged for some fabulous prizes, such as gift cards and cash prizes. They are typically redeemed at a rate of $1 USD per 1 Sweeps Coin.
Because Sweeps Coins themselves cannot be purchased and can only be received through gameplay, giveaways, and promotions, they are treated as sweepstakes entries. In fact, like actual mail-in sweepstakes contests that have been popular for decades, players at many sweepstakes casinos can mail handwritten requests for more Sweeps Coins entries, and they will be added to the player’s account freely.
Where Can You Play Sweepstakes Casinos?
Everywhere! Well, nearly everywhere. While traditional, real-money online casino legislation is moving at a snail’s pace, sweepstakes casinos are legal in 48 states across the U.S. The only states that do not permit sweepstakes casino gaming are Washington and Idaho.
Players in other states, however, can enjoy slot games and table games designed by some of the most respected software developers in the industry. Developers like NetEnt, Spinomenal, Microgaming, and Playtech design games for wildly popular online casino brands such as Caesars and BetMGM, and many of their most popular slot titles are available across a number of sweepstakes casino sites.
So, whether real-money online casinos are available or not, give sweepstakes casinos a spin. You’ll get the same great gameplay you’re used to from traditional casinos, you can still win cash prizes, and best of all, it’s free.
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.
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Canada
Online casino with a Nordic twist enters yet another market as it continues to deploy its ambitious international expansion plans
Winlandia.com, the online casino brand with a distinctly Nordic feel, has made its debut in Canada as it continues to expand its reach into international markets.
Winlandia is celebrating ten years of Nordic excellence and is now available for Canadian players, with its website available in both English and French.
Canadian players will get a real sense of Finnish Sisu when they sign up to Winlandia for the first time with a generous welcome bonus that is up for grabs.
When it comes to depositing, Winlandia has a well-stocked cashier including Visa, Mastercard, MuchBetter, Paysafecard, Payz, AstroPay and of course, Interac.
Players can expect instant deposits and fast withdrawals, so they get their winnings without delay.
The cool Nordic vibes extend to the online casino lobby where players can explore a vast portfolio of more than 9,000 slot, table, instant win, bingo, Slingo, arcade and live dealer titles.
Just some of the providers available include Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Microgaming, Red Tiger, Play’n GO, Blueprint Gaming, IGT, Scientific Games, Nolimit City and Evolution Gaming.
Winlandia players will be able to benefit from its Personalization Platform that was implemented at the beginning of last year. This means players will get individual game recommendations based on real-time data, a bit like Netflix but for casino games, not movies.
Canadian players can also enjoy some of the most generous promotions in the market, including Daily Picks which sees free spins and other bonuses added to their account each day.
They can also take part in thrilling slot tournaments and go head-to-head with other players and where if they place high on the leaderboard, there are big prizes to be won.
Winlandia is powered by SkillOnNet and has quickly emerged as a top online casino brand in competitive markets such as Finland, Denmark and the UK.
The team behind the site is confident that Canadian players will be drawn to its comprehensive offering and unique Nordic flavour.
Winlandia has extended its collaboration with its premium affiliate partner, Gambling.com, as their exclusive launch partner for the Canadian market. Via their site assets like Gambling.com/ca, players will get an exclusive offer of 100% up to $5,000 + 150 Free spins on Big Bass Bonanza.
Christoffer Grönlund, Head of Acquisitions & PR at Winlandia, said: “Players in Canada can now enjoy an authentic Nordic online casino experience that includes thousands of casino games from the biggest providers offered alongside generous bonuses and promotions.
“Despite being an international brand, localisation is very important to us and that’s why we implemented the payment method Interac to our cashier and ensure we have the most popular game providers for the Canadian market in our game lobby.
“Canada is a big market and one that we are incredibly excited to enter this market together with our Premium Affiliate Partner Gambling.com/ca. We truly believe that their high volume of quality traffic of players will enjoy what we have to offer at Winlandia.”
Gary Connelly, Senior Key Account Manager at Gambling.com Group, added: “I’m excited to welcome Winlandia Casino as they prepare for their Canadian launch.
“With 10 years of Nordic excellence and trust, a standout design, and an impressive portfolio of over 9,000+ games, Winlandia is well-positioned for success in this market. Following strong results in the UK, I look forward to a successful partnership in Canada, where their fresh player base offers great conversion potential.”
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Canada
GiG Launches Fourth Partner into Ontario as PowerPlay Enhances Its Gaming Experience with GiG’s Formidable Combination of Proprietary Platform, Sportsbook and AI technology
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG Software Plc) has announced a major new partnership with PowerPlay Online Casino & Sportsbook, with the brand now live having migrated to a premium technology supplier to propel growth in the regulated Canadian province of Ontario. The launch marks the fourth brand now active in the region powered by GiG’s cutting-edge iGaming technology, and further positioning GiG as a provider of choice for operators in regulated online markets in Canada, with Alberta next due in line once legislation passes.
GiG has established itself as one of the premier technology providers in Ontario, and PowerPlay will look to leverage a proven and powerful combination of GiG’s proprietary technology. The launch includes GiG’s award winning iGaming platform alongside a suite of next generation solutions, its feature packed Sportsbook, SportX, revolutionary rules based engine, LogicX and GiG’s innovative CMS.
PowerPlay has built a strong Canadian legacy, and its dedication to reliability and customer satisfaction has cemented its position as a trusted operator, ensuring players enjoy a world-class, secure, and seamless gaming experience. Now, with the migration to GiG’s cutting-edge technology, PowerPlay is poised to enhance its offerings even further.
With a growing emphasis on cutting-edge artificial intelligence and automation, PowerPlay can also now call on the full power of dynamic AI tools DataX and LogicX, with the incorporation of advanced machine learning models into their toolkit, enhancing decision-making processes and rule building helping to deliver significant increases in player acquisition and customer retention. Innovative sportsbook SportX will boost PowerPlay’s offering by providing advanced bet-builder capabilities, dynamic odds, and a comprehensive suite of localised features, including horse racing and virtual sports betting.
The launch carries significance as further evidence of GiG’s accelerated delivery cadence, as the fourth publicly announced partner launch this year. GiG has implemented a suite of strategic improvements over the past year, and is set to further escalate launches throughout 2025, reinforcing its commitment to seamless execution and growth.
GiG’s has been one of the forerunners of regulated market expansion in iGaming for over 10 years, facilitating smooth market entries in complex regulated environments not only in North America, but across key markets in Europe, Latin America and now the Philippines in Asia, strengthening its position as a reliable and strategic technology partner for operators globally.
Having regulated in April 2022, online gaming in Ontario has enjoyed significant growth under the guidance of the AGCO (Alcohol & Gambling Commission). As of the second quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year , Ontario’s online gambling market reached CA$738 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), reflecting a 1.7% quarter-over-quarter growth and a 35.4% year-over-year increase, according to data supplied by the regulator.
James Coxon, Chief Operating Officer at GiG, commented: “GiG’s expertise in delivering market-leading technology is once again proving instrumental in helping partners like PowerPlay navigate the complexities of regulated markets. The successful launch into Ontario highlights our ability to facilitate seamless market entry while ensuring stability and scalability for long-term growth. Our continued focus on delivering brilliant basics, from secure platform infrastructure to optimised user experiences, is key to enabling partners to maximise their potential. We’re proud to be playing a role in PowerPlay’s success and the ongoing evolution of both the Ontarian market and the wider future of iGaming in Canada, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner in the regulated space.”
Dean Serrao, Chief Executive Officer at PowerPlay, commented: “The successful migration to GiG’s technology platform is a milestone for PowerPlay as we continue to grow in Ontario. This partnership allows us to offer an enhanced and seamless experience for our players, while leveraging GiG’s flexible and scalable solutions to expand our presence in the market. We are excited for what’s ahead and confident this move will help us strengthen our position as a leading brand in the province.”
The post GiG Launches Fourth Partner into Ontario as PowerPlay Enhances Its Gaming Experience with GiG’s Formidable Combination of Proprietary Platform, Sportsbook and AI technology appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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