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Ontario’s record fundamental growth, but its rivals have gone one better

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Though the government operated online gambling site of the Canadian province Ontario, hit a double-digit revenue gain in its current fiscal year, its provincial rivals seem to have gone one better.

As per the 2016-17 annual report publicised by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) this week, the government-owned entity generated a total revenue of only under C$7.5b (US$6b), the bulk of which came from lotteries (C$3.7b) and land-based casinos (C$3.6b).

PlayOLG.ca, the OLG’s online gambling site, which offered online casino and lottery products in January 2015, contributed just under C$58.4m, up 18.7% over the 2015-16 figure. OLG declined to break out specific figures for how that revenue was split between lotteries and casino products.

Tighter cost controls and a 16% rise in active players allowed OLG to reap an online gambling profit of C$27.4m, a hefty 84% higher than the preceding year.

PlayOLG’s results seemed to be remarkable than the bearish forecast OLG gave last year at this time when it cut its overly optimistic annual profit forecast from C$100m to just C$25m. A more confident OLG expressed its anticipations that “its online gambling business would persist to excel its reduced expectations, thanks in part to the May 2017 launch of its first mobile casino app.”

However, OLG noted that its internationally licensed online competitors continue to “offer a broader portfolio of products and promotional offers, renowned through extensive advertising and leveraging of their global operations to respond quickly to market dynamics.”

LOTO-QUEBEC’S ONLINE GAMBLING UP 42%

Across the border in Quebec, the Loto-Quebec provincial gaming monopoly reported its Espacejeux.com gambling site generated revenue of just under C$83m in the first nine months of fiscal 2017-18, a 42.1% jump from the same period one year earlier. Online lottery sales improved 39.3% year-on-year to C$37.3m, while online casino revenue jumped 44.4% to C$45.6m.

Espacejeux had a significant head-start on PlayOLG, having made its debut in November 2010, which partially explains the revenue disparity. That said, Ontario has a population of over 14m versus Quebec’s 8.5m, meaning PlayOLG has significantly greater revenue potential, assuming players ever view its offer as sufficiently competitive to warrant switching over from their favourite international sites.

By way of comparison, British Columbia’s PlayNow.com site reported revenue of C$157.6m in its most recent fiscal year, which should shame both Ontario and Quebec, given BC’s population of just 4.5m. PlayNow had some rocky patches following its July 2010 launch, but it continues to set the pace for its provincial rivals, not just in revenue generation but also in new product offerings.

PlayNow has come under fire for its reliance on a few hundred gambling whales for nearly half its revenue, and for flouting the rules in approving new online slots titles. But hey, all that happened under the old corrupt provincial government, and the current administration is frantically assuring everyone that there’s a new sheriff in town.

Perhaps, but so long as provincial governments attempt to serve the inherently contradictory roles of monopoly gambling operator and gambling regulator, standards – and consumer choice – will suffer.

 

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ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona

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ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona
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The news that January’s ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gaming’s most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.

Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.

Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: “Our members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.

“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientation—connecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”

Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: “We represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.”

January’s editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.

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Industry Awards

Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards

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Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.

Award Recognition

The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.

The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask

Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.

Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.

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CONCEPT: VERSATILITY AND EFFICIENCY IN SPACES

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The CONCEPT cabinet line has been designed to maximize space in casinos, adapting to any configuration. Its efficient design allows for different bank arrangements, making the most of the available area. This gives operators greater flexibility in organizing their gaming floor.

Additionally, the integrated LED strips in CONCEPT eliminate the need for extra signs or wedges, creating a sleek and attractive visual at all times.

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