Canada
Are Online Casinos a Branch of Video Gaming?
With online casinos growing in demand and popularity, becoming an acceptable alternative to physical outlets, many are starting to place them under the universal banner of online video gaming. However, is this the right way to categorize them? The answer might be something that ends up being subjective, but understanding how it might or might not fall within those boundaries could help you to gauge your own opinion of it better and even get you into this form of entertainment.
Of course, those who are already interested in playing at regular online casinos and other outlets might rather that they remain distinct from video gaming. They don’t want to confuse what makes it uniquely appealing to some.
How Do You Define a Game?
Ultimately, some people will look at this debate and feel like the presence of online casinos (and the games they contain) on the smartphone, a gaming platform, will immediately classify them as games. After all, the definition of a game is an activity that a person can engage in and have fun. Casinos definitely come under this description, as these have activities that offer a lot of fun. When you break down the definition of a video game, it is an interactive game simply operated using a computer system, so you can argue that online casinos are a form of video gaming – they are interactive and operated using computers.
However, it’s a question that different people have ventured their own explanations of over the years.
Genres and Platforms Crossover
There are so many genres, modes, and gaming platforms, and this deepens further when you experiment with crossovers. Taking aspects of video games and utilizing them in online casinos provides a unique game; you don’t just have a standard slot game anymore. Now you have a slot game with a story. The inclusion of aspects like a story in some slot games creates a more engaging experience, makes it different from previous gaming, and provides more entertainment. The beauty of taking video game elements is that they can create a wide variety of unique online casino games.
In fact, this variety itself might be something that draws you towards online casinos in the first place, though finding an outlet that best suits you might be what holds you back. If that’s the case, SlotsOnlineCanada.com offers an excellent range of popular free online slot games that can help you to get started.
The Monetization Aspect
To some, what might make casino games stand apart is the gambling aspect or the general inclusion of monetization in the gameplay loop. This might not exclude them from video games as much as you think, however. Loot boxes and microtransactions have long been a controversial aspect of modern gaming, with the former even being banned or regulated in some countries in Europe.
Furthermore, when it comes to microtransactions, the mobile games industry is one that is renowned for its inclusion, and this is the same platform that online casinos would usually find themselves on. As a result, the line between them might be blurred further.
ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.
ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.
ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”
*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)
BCLC
INTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT Inc., its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalization of the existing land-based network.
The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
INTRALOT is a leading player in a changing world of gaming. With significant experience in looking forward and anticipating emerging trends, the company provides future-proof solutions to regulated lottery and gaming operators around the world.
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Ontario market through an agreement with leading Canadian operator, PointsBet.
This partnership reinforces Relax Gaming’s aim to become a standout provider across North America, having already gained early success in Ontario. Relax became one of the first suppliers to deliver content to the region’s players in March 2022, debuting with over 120 games across multiple operators.
PointsBet pride themselves as one of Canada’s leading operators offering unmatched speed, ease of use, and a comprehensive array of pre-game and in-play sports betting options. This is complemented by a top-tier online casino which will now be boosted with the integration of Relax’s portfolio of slots and live dealer options.
With its authentic Canadian approach, PointsBet prioritises technology that minimises external dependencies to maintain control over its platform and has a commitment to responsible gambling best practices, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all players.
Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “Since we launched in Ontario we have enjoyed tremendous success, with our content hitting the sweet spot for the broad range of players in the Canadian province. This partnership with PointsBet will strengthen our presence in the market as the region’s leading operator integrates our rich content portfolio which will engage its player base.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, added: “Relax Gaming has established a strong reputation across North America and in Ontario in particular. The impressive range of content that will be integrated into our platform will increase engagement within our online platform and we are delighted to be able to provide more immersive experiences to our audiences.”
Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.
Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.
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