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Canada still lags in online gambling front

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With US Supreme Court’s recent order paving the way for legalising sports betting in the country, many observers are curiously watching Canada’s gambling scene. But the indications from the country suggest that it may be going in the opposite direction. Canada’s gambling industry has created an income of $17.3 billion CAD last year. It is expected to be higher this year.

The legislation is such that it is legal to bet online, provided the online casino or poker site does not have a physical facility in Canada.  Obviously, the provincial casinos, like PlayNow.com, Espacejeux, and PlayOLG, have been finding this hard to accept.

The lawmakers are also concerned with this as online gambling results in revenue loss for the state. In 2016, the Quebec legislature passed Bill 74 which, among other things, included a provision to force Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block international online casino operators.

Loto-Quebec, the provincial gambling body in Quebec, operates EspaceJeux.com, an online casino that requires all players to be residents of Quebec. More importantly, EspaceJeux’s profits are passed on to the provincial government just the same as lotteries and land-based casino profits, which are also regulated. As Simon Stern from toponlinecasinos.ca explains, up until 2016, Loto-Quebec has stated on the record that they were taking too much of a cut, meaning their Return to Player (RTP) was much lower than competing internationally based casinos. They were unable to grow rapidly enough to be sustainable due to players having easy options to play online where they had a better chance of winning. Since then, Espace Jeux has increased their RTP but are subsequently not meeting their profit goals as the margins tighten. Competition is fierce internationally and the largest online casinos have huge revenues to offer huge welcome bonuses and excellent RTPs. The answer for Quebec was to simply introduce legislation to eliminate the competition by forcing ISPs to block these websites. Bill 74 was passed with exactly that provision in 2016.

How is Quebec Bill 74 supposed to work? Loto-Quebec is to give a list of over 2000 gambling websites that ISPs in the province should block. They are also supposed to offer a tender to international online casinos to become partners with EspaceJeux where they will redirect registered players to these casinos through EspaceJeux but Loto-Quebec will maintain the customer information and take a cut of revenues. Some of the most visited sites from Quebec include PokerStars, Casino.com and LeoVegas and these parties may be candidates for approval. The law was given many months to set up the appropriate framework to accomplish this goal. All other online casinos will be blocked in the province and the responsibility to block them will be with the ISPs. The ISPs, which include some of the largest corporations in Canada, do not want to take on this burden and civil rights activists are concerned that this action leads the country down a slippery slope of allowing the government to restrict free speech and an open internet.

The consortium of ISPs, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), formally filed complaint to the national body governing telecommunications, the CRTC, who is formally the only organisation who legally have jurisdiction in this case. The CRTC came back with a recommendation that the law was unconstitutional and that they alone, along with the Government of Canada, have jurisdiction but they will await the court’s decision. Thus, the law introduced by the provincial Government of Quebec should not be implemented. The CWTA immediately filed suit in Quebec Superior Court to block the law from being implemented, where it stands today. The court case was delayed until March 2018 where a ruling still awaits. The general consensus among legal scholars is that the law will be rejected on constitutional grounds but will likely head all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

What if the law is able to stand? A ruling in favour of Bill 74 would be the first such case that would allow provincial governments to restrict what their residents can view on the internet. The immediate result would be that Quebec residents would be unable to play at international online casinos and poker sites that are not licenced through EspaceJeux and Loto-Quebec. The implications are far-reaching in that it opens the door for similar laws to restrict other facets of a free internet and for other provinces to do the same. Canada will go from one of the most popular markets for online gambling to one of the most restrictive. More importantly, Canada could go from one of the most open societies in the world to one that restricts free speech and freedom of internet.

Source: cardplayer.com

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George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Disability Initiative Wins Inaugural F1® Allwyn Global Community Award

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  • First F1® Allwyn Global Community Award sees local Dutch initiative presented with the trophy and €100,000 donation from Allwyn to support its impact on the local community
  • Winner has been recognised for its local community contribution through transforming event accessibility for those with disabilities

Zandvoort, Netherlands, 15:00 CET 28 August 2025: Allwyn, the multi-national lottery-led entertainment company, and Formula 1 have announced Stichting HandicapNL as the winner of the inaugural F1® Allwyn Global Community Award and a €100,000 donation from Allwyn. The donation will be used to further the winner’s positive impact – breaking down barriers by improving event accessibility. From extra facilities to offering specialised information, the foundation provides support across the entire event experience – helping the two million people with disabilities in the Netherlands and creating a more inclusive society.

The Award recognises the outstanding contributions to society that F1-linked initiatives are making in their country. Taking the international spotlight ahead of the Formula 1® Heineken Dutch Grand Prix, the local Dutch community initiative won over the panel of judges with the impressive impact that it has made not just in the world of F1, but in the wider community in the Netherlands. Over the next 12 months, the donation will enable Stichting HandicapNL to increase the number of events it supports, so that more people can access and inclusively attend from start to finish, regardless of their disability.

The F1® Allwyn Global Community Award, created as part of the multi-year partnership between Formula 1 and Allwyn, reflects a shared commitment to driving positive change and giving back to the communities in which they operate. During the 2025 season, a total of four local initiatives making a positive impact in their countries – which could include advancements in education, culture, wellbeing and sustainability – will be chosen by judges to each win a €100,000 donation from Allwyn and the chance to visit a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Three further winners will be announced this season, with local initiatives to be recognised at the home of Formula 1 races in the US (Austin and Las Vegas) and Mexico.

Jan Karas, CEO of OPAP, part of Allwyn, and  F1® Allwyn Global Community Award judge said: Stichting HandicapNL’s impact here in the Netherlands is truly inspiring. At Allwyn, we want to bring fun and entertainment to as many people as possible – no one should have to face a physical barrier in doing so. Stichting HandicapNL’s work is not just improving accessibility for F1 fans, but is providing learnings that can be applied to different types and scales of events outside of the F1 environment.”

Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1 said: “The F1 Allwyn Global Community Award is a perfect example of how Formula 1 can use partnerships to enact real change in the communities where it races. This unique collaboration has created a global platform to celebrate the fantastic local initiatives that go above and beyond to make a real difference. Stichting HandicapNL has helped transform experiences for many people living in the Netherlands, and the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award will help them to continue to expand their vital works and help people across the country.”  

F1® Allwyn Global Community Award winner Jan Willem Koopman from Stichting HandicapNL, said: “Our ultimate goal is that it becomes commonplace for people with disabilities to access and inclusively attend a whole festival or event, from start to finish. It has been fantastic working with Formula 1 at Zandvoort to make this track as accessible as possible and, thanks to this Award, we can expand our operations. The donation from Allwyn will mean we can make four additional events more accessible, support a further six events with advice and assistance and develop new partnerships with like-minded organisations. It will also have a lasting impact in the long term, empowering even more people to attend events, challenging negative perceptions and creating a more inclusive society.”

The F1® Allwyn Global Community Award is being presented at the following Grands Prix in 2025:

  • Formula 1® Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025 – 29 – 31 August 2025
  • Formula 1® MSC Cruises USA Grand Prix 2025 – 17- 19 October 2025
  • Formula 1® Gran Premio De La Cuidad De Mexico 2025 – 24 – 26 October 2025
  • Formula 1® Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 – 20 – 22 November 2025

 

The post Disability Initiative Wins Inaugural F1® Allwyn Global Community Award appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gaming Platform, Overwolf, Sees 385% Revenue Surge in EU, Hires Activision Blizzard Vet For Expansion

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Overwolf Expands European Presence with Former Activision Blizzard Executive to Accelerate Brand Partnership Growth Business has grown by 385% since entering the EU market one year ago.

Overwolf Ads, a world-leading platform empowering brands and advertisers to reach over 100 million monthly gamers, today announced the expansion of its European operations with the appointment of Adam Davis as Director of Brand Partnerships. This strategic hire supports Overwolf’s continued growth in the region and its mission to help brands engage with hard-to-reach gamers directly during gameplay.

Overwolf’s ad platform enables brands to reach gamers across premium titles like Minecraft and Fortnite, using a proprietary ad tech solution that provides advertisers with immersive yet non-intrusive placements. The company is currently ranked as the #2 biggest US Gaming Property by Comscore in terms of reach, with its influence across EMEA regions gaining momentum in 2025, now listed #3 in Germany, #5 in France, and #7 in the UK. In the last year, the company has partnered with global brands and media agencies such as Armani, Lancôme, Verizon, Pepsico, Amazon, P&G, Skoda, PHD, Publicis, Havas, dentsu, Wavemaker and Mediacom.

With more than 15 years of experience in the digital and gaming industry, Davis previously served as Group Director of Agency Partnerships at Activision Blizzard and has held leadership roles at AOL, Unruly/News Corp, and Reach plc. He played a key role in helping bring the new Xbox Ads offering to market at Activision and comes with extensive knowledge of video advertising across both gaming and traditional publisher environments. At Overwolf, he will focus on growing strategic brand relationships and developing innovative ad solutions that balance the player experience with high-impact brand engagement.

Davis joins a growing European team that has driven 385% growth in revenue in the region since Overwolf expanded into the EU market in 2024. The team has launched successful major partnerships with brands such as Müller FRijj, whose “Just Feel The URjj Challenge” activation rewarded players for embracing fun and chaos over simply winning. The unique campaign ran across major titles like Fortnite and Rocket League, using Overwolf Ads’ innovative ad technology to deliver contextual real-time messaging and rewards during humorous missions that resonated with Gen Z gamers.

“Gaming is reshaping modern entertainment. More brands than ever are looking to gaming to accelerate their marketing efforts, but one consistent challenge is accessing top-tier titles at scale,” said Adam Davis, Director of Brand Partnerships at Overwolf. “At Overwolf, advertisers can reach gamers across popular titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite, all accessible under one roof, and I’m looking forward to changing what’s possible for advertisers in the space.”

“As our European growth gains momentum, Adam’s leadership and prior experience at Activision will be instrumental in scaling Overwolf’s presence and bringing more brands into the worlds where gamers play,” commented Uri Marchand, CEO of Overwolf.

This announcement comes on the heels of Overwolf Ads’ milestone revenue achievement of doubling ad revenue from $50 million in 2023 to $100 million in 2024, continuing its trajectory as a category leader in in-game advertising.

For more information about advertising with Overwolf, please visit overwolf.com/ads

The post Gaming Platform, Overwolf, Sees 385% Revenue Surge in EU, Hires Activision Blizzard Vet For Expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SOFTSWISS Wins Best Game Aggregator Award in Latin America

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SOFTSWISS wins the CGS Recife Awards 2025 for its flagship Game Aggregator, confirming its industry leadership as the largest content hub in iGaming, operating with 99.999% uptime across 24 regulated jurisdictions. Recognition in Latin America, where SOFTSWISS has achieved full product certification, further proves the product’s global dominance and commitment to delivering trusted solutions across key regulated markets.

The award recognises the best game aggregation platform in the Latin American iGaming market, celebrating leadership, innovation, and operational excellence. This recognition is especially important as it comes from Brazil, where all SOFTSWISS products have recently been certified, led by the Game Aggregator. It is the 7th international award for the Game Aggregator, highlighting the product’s dedication to delivering unmatched scale and stability.

The Game Aggregator is recognised as the industry leader because of measurable advantages that no other platform can match. Operating in 24 jurisdictions, the solution provides direct access to 35,000+ active playing games from 300+ providers with new releases appearing immediately in operators’ portfolios enabled by streamlined integrations.

Engagement features deliver proven growth. Its Tournament Tool increases average daily bets by 22% across the player base. Players who join tournaments place twice as many bets and wager 3 times more than others. Jackpot Aggregator campaigns on the Game Aggregator drive a 50% increase in turnover per user, making engagement mechanics a direct source of revenue.

The platform’s infrastructure is designed for continuous, fail-safe operation. Uptime reaches 99.999–100%, guaranteed by strict SLAs and backed with proactive system notifications. The system processes 7,000 requests and up to 100,000 database queries per second, with 99% of responses returned in under 100 milliseconds. This ensures operators never lose a session, a bet, or their players’ trust.

Beyond scale and engagement, the platform offers features that raise industry standards: AI-driven localisation for any market, deep analytics through the Ultimate Report Builder, and customisable game metadata for client-facing flexibility.

We are honoured to receive the Best Game Aggregator Platform award at CGS Recife. This recognition shows the value of our commitment: a constantly growing game portfolio, wide market coverage, and unwavering platform reliability. For almost ten years, our team has been building a platform that not only delivers scale and stability but also drives measurable results,” added Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator.

The SOFTSWISS team will be available at SBC Lisbon 2025, Stand B160, to discuss the possibilities of the Game Aggregator.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Wins Best Game Aggregator Award in Latin America appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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