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Canada still lags in online gambling front
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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GX users hit the jackpot. Get the new Bruce Lee Pack for HITMAN World of Assassination with an exclusive Opera GX offer
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Opera GX has teamed up with IO Interactive, to celebrate the release of the new HITMAN World of Assassination Elusive Target mission starring kung fu legend and martial arts icon Bruce Lee.
This partnership grants Opera GX users access to an exclusive discount on the new DLC, the Bruce Lee Pack, alongside a fully immersive browser mod that brings the game’s iconic character to their desktop.
The highlight of this collaboration is a limited time offer on the new HITMAN World of Assassination DLC, alongside a limited time franchise sale available for Opera GX users*. To access this deal and other Hitman discounts, players need only install the Opera GX browser, navigate to the start page or GX Corner, and click the banner with a unique link to the IO Interactive shop. This special offer is available exclusively for Opera GX users from September 25th until October 12th.
To make the deal even sweeter, Opera GX created an official HITMAN World of Assassination mod that transforms the browser with Hitman themed visuals and sounds. The mod includes an animated wallpaper, custom icons, a themed splash screen, and a complete UI overhaul.
“We knew we had to team up with IO Interactive. They don’t just build games, they build entire worlds you want to get lost in, and that’s our philosophy for the browser, too,” said Kamil Rzeźnik, Head of Partnerships at Opera GX. “Offering our users an exclusive discount on the new Hitman DLC is our way of giving back to the community. The mod is where it all comes together, it’s designed to keep you fully immersed in the world of Agent 47, whether you’re planning your next move in-game or just browsing.”
BRUCE LEE DLC EXCLUSIVE PROMO
- Hitman “Bruce Lee Pack” DLC: 10% off
BASE GAME:
- Hitman WOA Part 1: 80% off
- Hitman WOA: 60% off
- Hitman WOA Deluxe: 55% off
DLC:
- Hitman 3 – Seven Deadly Sins Collection: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – Deluxe Pack: 30% off
- Hitman 3 Access Pass: Hitman 2 Expansion: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – The Splitter Pack: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – The Drop Pack: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – The Undying Pack: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – Sarajevo Six Campaign Pack: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – Street Art Pack: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – Makeshift Pack 30% off
- Hitman 3 – Trinity Pack: 30% off
- Hitman 3 – The Banker Pack: 30% off
Download Opera GX by visiting opera.com/gx.
The post GX users hit the jackpot. Get the new Bruce Lee Pack for HITMAN World of Assassination with an exclusive Opera GX offer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Munich Hosts Red Bull League of Its Own, the Ultimate Showcase Featuring T1 and Europe’s Elite
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Red Bull League of Its Own returns for its third edition, bringing global League of Legends icons to Munich’s SAP Garden for an unmissable showmatch on November 29.
- Global giants T1 lead the team lineup, joined by fan-favourites G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, NNO Old and Los Ratones, who will compete against each other in the biggest off-season League of Legends event.
- League of Legends’ biggest streaming stars – Caedrel, Kameto, Noway4u and more – will co-stream the event live in multiple languages on Twitch and YouTube.
- Leading gaming monitor brand AGON by AOC returns as official Monitor Partner and MSI as official Gaming PC and Laptop Partner, delivering high-performance hardware for Red Bull League of Its Own, alongside Razer, supporting players with the ergonomic Iskur V2 gaming chair, and KFC, joining as partners for the first time.
- Tickets are available for purchase via win.gs/loio.
Red Bull League of Its Own, the iconic off-season League of Legends showcase, returns for its third edition with a brand-new destination – Munich, Germany. On November 29, the state-of-the-art SAP Garden will transform into the ultimate stage for the world’s biggest esports talent to face off in a series of unforgettable matchups. Fans can expect a diverse, action packed schedule, from dream clashes with T1 to unique and entertaining battles between Europe’s top teams, creating an unpredictable and entertaining showcase unlike anything in the regular season.
Following the success of the Berlin 2023 and Paris 2024 editions, Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 is set to push the boundaries of competitive entertainment. T1, South Korea’s legendary squad, returns as headliners alongside elite European rosters, G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, and NNO Old. They’ll be joined by the star-studded streamer lineup captained by one of League of Legends’ biggest streamers, Caedrel of Los Ratones.
Red Bull League of Its Own is known for throwing out the rulebook and delivering the matchups everybody wants to see – from high-stakes 5v5 clashes to experimental formats like 1v1s, 2v2s, mixed rosters, and the now-iconic Ultimate Fearless Draft, which bans picked champions for the rest of the games, shrinking the pool and forcing deeper, more creative strategies.
Fans attending in person at SAP Garden can look forward to immersive staging and Bavarian-flavoured experiences that reflect the event’s new home, and a custom-built mid-lane running through the crowd will place fans right in the thick of the action. Set in the heart of the Bavarian capital, the SAP Garden is located within the world-famous Munich Olympic Park – an iconic sporting location for a new era of esports spectacle. With 10,000 fans expected in the arena, Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most electrifying esports events of the year. Tickets are available for purchase via win.gs/loio.
Red Bull League of Its Own will be livestreamed globally via Red Bull Gaming’s Twitch and YouTube channels, with official co-streams in multiple languages led by some of the biggest names in streaming – including Caedrel, Kameto, Noway4u, and over 30 more creators – bringing their huge global audiences along for the ride.
Returning as official Monitor Partner for 2025, AGON by AOC, will provide top-notch high performance gaming monitors for the ultimate gaming experience for contestants. Razer debuts as the official Chair Partner of Red Bull League of Its Own, supporting the competition with the Razer Iskur V2, an ergonomic gaming chair designed for comfort, durability, and focus during every match, laying the groundwork for high level play. MSI joins as the official gaming PC and Laptop partner, alongside KFC, joining as partner for the first time.
Watch Red Bull League of Its Own live on November 29 via Red Bull Gaming’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
For tickets and more information, visit: win.gs/loio.
The post Munich Hosts Red Bull League of Its Own, the Ultimate Showcase Featuring T1 and Europe’s Elite appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Affina Partners is proud to announce the launch of Millioner, a premium new iGaming brand built around luxury, thrill, and elite rewards. Millioner is more than a gaming platform — it is a true gateway into a world of prestige and excitement.
Millioner offers a rich portfolio that delivers the best of iGaming, featuring timeless casino games and sports. Players can immerse themselves in roulette wheels that never stop spinning, glamorous live casino tables hosted by professional dealers, and jackpot halls where new prizes drop daily. For those seeking the thrill of competition beyond the casino, Millioner provides a wide range of sports, live betting, and virtual sports, delivering world-class action 24/7.
With more than 100 leading providers, Millioner opens the door to the industry’s most popular categories — from Game Shows and Bonus Buys to the Jackpot Gamehall and Lucky Jackpots. To make the experience even more rewarding, Millioner regularly delivers exclusive promotions, tournaments, and challenges.
These include generous welcome offers, cashback, and weekend specials, ensuring there are always new ways to play and win big.
“Millioner isn’t just another gaming platform — it’s an invitation into a world of wealth, thrill, and prestige,” commented Aleksandra Simeonova, Head of Affiliates at Affina Partners.
“Our goal was to create an experience that goes beyond casual gaming — one that immerses players in an atmosphere of luxury and abundance, where every moment feels like a step into a life of prosperity.”
Affina Partners is a leading name in the global iGaming industry, offering brands that combine innovation, entertainment, and exceptional player experiences. With a growing portfolio of successful platforms, the company continues to redefine the future of online gaming.
Wealth is calling! Experience the life you’ve always dreamt of with Millioner.
The post Millioner by Affina Partners: A New Gateway to Luxurious iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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