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Court stops Quebec’s plan to ban private online gaming websites
The Canadian state Quebec’s attempt to deny its citizens access to unauthorised online gaming websites has been stopped by a Canadian court. The new legislation had proposed a clause that all online gaming website must get authorisation from the state-run gambling corporation. The court now terms the clause unconstitutional because it infringes upon federal jurisdiction.
The province adopted legislation in 2016 forcing internet service providers to block access to online gambling sites unauthorised by Loto-Quebec, sparking accusations the government was trying to censor part of the internet and violate the concept of net neutrality.
But Quebec didnot have the authority to do that because its law touched on telecommunications and criminal law, both federal competencies, the court ruled in a July 18 decision.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association challenged the legislation – which had not come into effect – and said it was pleased with the ruling.
A spokesperson for the CWTA said in an email, “We have always been clear all Canadians are better served by a proportionate and symmetrical set of federal regulations than a patchwork of provincial regulations.”
University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, said “the court got it right.”
“(The ruling) sends a strong message to the Quebec government and to any provincial government that might think regulating the internet through mandating blocking schemes is the way to go,” Geist said.
In the 2015 budget documents, the Finance Department noted Loto-Quebec’s online gambling platform was losing money. The government would, therefore, introduce legislation banning Quebecers’ access to websites unauthorised by the province’s gaming authority.
Finance Minister Carlos Leitao had said the law was necessary to protect the health and safety of Quebecers because private gambling companies do not apply the same responsible gaming rules as the provincial government.
Justice Pierre Nollet saw through Leitao’s argument.
“The veritable character (of the law) is to prevent gaming websites not exploited by the government from being accessible, and not about protecting consumers or their health.”
Geist said he thinks from the moment of its introduction, the law was about increasing Loto-Quebec’s revenues.
“And the government wasn’t shy about that until the reality of the court challenge, and then there was this attempt to frame it as a health and safety measure,” he said.
Neither Loto-Quebec’s spokesman nor the spokeswoman for the finance minister wanted to comment Tuesday on the ruling.
Geist said Nollet’s ruling could have an impact on an upcoming decision by the CRTC regarding a demand by a coalition of companies – including Bell Canada and the CBC – for the commission to block websites considered purveyors of pirated creative content.
Nollet cited the 1993 Telecommunications Act in his decision, which he said enshrines into law the concept of net neutrality.
“Net neutrality” is understood to mean that internet companies should be neutral carriers of content and not favour some sites over others or block access to certain sites.
The 1993 act states, “Except where the Commission (the CRTC) approves otherwise, a Canadian carrier shall not control the content or influence the meaning or purpose of telecommunications carried by it for the public.”
Nollet’s ruling noted the act requires the CRTC to block sites only under strict circumstances, such as during threats to the network.
“There are implications (in the ruling) for other site-blocking proposals,” Geist said. “Because it says the courts understand (the CRTC) by and large, doesn’t block content, and if so, does it under very, very limited circumstances.”
Source: ctvnews.ca
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Golden Matrix Group Reports $150M Preliminary FY 2024 Consolidated Revenue Guidance
Golden Matrix Group, Inc., a leading provider of innovative gaming and technology solutions, today announced preliminary revenue estimates of $150 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, a 61% year-over-year increase over FY 2023 revenues of $93 million.
On a pro forma basis, assuming the consolidation of both Golden Matrix Group and its subsidiary Meridianbet, the combined revenues for FY 2024 would have been approximately $163 million.
In April 2024, Golden Matrix Group completed the acquisition of Meridianbet, whereby Meridianbet became the accounting acquirer. In accordance with GAAP and SEC rules, the reported 61% growth reflects performance against Meridianbet’s FY 2023 revenues as the baseline, and as a result of these accounting principles GMGI revenues for Q1 2024 will not be included in the revenues for 2024.
Preliminary Revenue Highlights – Geographical Revenue Split
- Americas: $5.08 million (3.36%)
- K.: $21.29 million (14.06%)
- Australia: $4.61 million (3.05%)
- Europe (Excluding U.K.): $89.78 million (59.34%)
- Asia: $17.86 million (11.80%)
- Africa: $12.61 million (8.33%)
The FY 2024 results were underpinned by:
- Strong performance across key markets
- An expanded portfolio of sports and iGaming offerings, including the launch of a series of AI-driven products
- Strategic market entries in South Africa, Peru and Australia, further diversifying the Company’s global footprint
These preliminary results are subject to finalization and audit. Golden Matrix Group plans to release its full audited financial results for FY 2024 in March 2025.
The post Golden Matrix Group Reports $150M Preliminary FY 2024 Consolidated Revenue Guidance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Casino Guru is excited to showcase sustainable industry initiatives and business developments at ICE and iGB 2025
Casino Guru, the world’s leading online casino resource, is excited to announce its strong presence at ICE 2025. Representatives from the company’s Safer Gambling, Affiliate, Data, and Public Relations teams are set to attend the event, which will take place at the Fire Barcelona Gran Via on January 20, 2025.
Casino Guru’s Public Relations team will play a pivotal role at ICE 2025, establishing Casino Guru’s presence and showcasing industry-defining initiatives that have earned widespread recognition over the years.
The team will provide insights into the success of the Casino Guru Awards and Casino Guru News, now in their third and fourth year respectively, and how these projects continue to set robust standards for industry excellence guided by the PR department.
Casino Guru’s PR and External Relations Lead, Daniela Sliva and her team will be available at the Casino Guru News booth (#MC29 Level 0), with Casino Guru News also a proud media sponsor of ICE and iGB 2025, which have sold out and are set to feature more than 1,000 exhibitors from 118 countries on 112,000 sq mt of floor space.
From this dedicated platform, the PR team will meet with current and prospective partners to discuss collaborative opportunities for Casino Guru News and other projects spearheaded by Silva and her team. At the same time, Casino Guru News will conduct interviews with key stakeholders, engage with decision-makers, and record video sessions to bring the excitement and atmosphere of ICE 2025 to readers of the publication.
The PR team will be present to answer any questions about the projects and highlight the team’s most recent accomplishments. This is an invaluable opportunity for potential partners and journalists to find out more about Casino Guru’s impactful contributions to the industry and the company’s unfaltering commitment to innovation.
In the Sustainable Gambling Zone, Casino Guru will be represented by Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at booth #SG1 Level 0. For the third consecutive year, Casino Guru will exhibit its Global Self-Exclusion Initiative (GSEI), which has made significant strides, including a new partnership with BetBlocker and the addition of a blocking tool on the homepage to help at-risk players.
Casino Guru will also highlight the progress of its Self-Exclusion Standards project, which recently completed its consultation process with 62 valid responses out of 119 contributions. A final workgroup meeting will provide guidance and recommendations for online self-exclusion.
The exhibition floor will also be joined by the Data and Affiliate Teams which will be present to share their unique insights into the industry, leveraging the Casino Guru brand and bringing relevant scoops directly to interested stakeholders.
The teams will attend the casino floor to explore new and existing opportunities and specifically meet with casinos featured on the Safety Index and in the Casino Guru’s database to discuss how brands may improve their ratings, and what they need to do to achieve a robust industry standard for excellence, player protection, and player trust.
Casino Guru is dedicated to promoting sustainable gambling practices, forging partnerships through its affiliate and media teams, strengthening industry relationships via its public relations team, and showcasing the highly successful and continuously evolving Casino Guru Awards format. The company looks forward to sharing its initiatives with the industry at ICE 2025.
The post Casino Guru is excited to showcase sustainable industry initiatives and business developments at ICE and iGB 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GIANTX launches jersey and membership for 2025
The global esports organization GIANTX has launched its new jersey for 2025. This jersey will be worn by professional players from the different teams within the organization in their national and international competitions this year.
The color blue takes center stage in a design that evolves the wave pattern used in the previous collection. The jersey is already available on GIANTX’s official channels and will debut in competitive play this week with the first matches of League of Legends and Valorant.
As a novelty, the new GIANTX jersey pays homage to its history by including an ‘08’ on the front of the collar. 2008 marks the founding year of the Málaga-based club Giants, whose merger with the British Excel led to the creation of GIANTX, one of the longest-standing esports brands in Europe.
This jersey is part of a collection that also includes hoodies and other products available in both blue and black. It is not the only new offering from GIANTX for its fans and video game enthusiasts.
In esports, fan loyalty goes beyond the action on the server. It’s about building community, offering added value, and connecting with the audience authentically. For this reason, GIANTX has launched an exclusive membership for fans of the club or esports in general who purchase the giants’ skins in Valorant.
The GIANTX VCT Membership offers unique rewards such as access to giveaways, gifts, passes to learning platforms for professionals, meet-and-greets with players and creators, and even trips to Berlin to support the team kicking off the Valorant Champions Tour this Wednesday. The skin pack is already available in the game.
With the launch of this GIANTX package in Valorant—one of the most-played games in the world with over 20 million active users, developed by Riot Games—the club takes another step in one of the most solidified club-fan relationships on the continent.
These announcements set the stage for the return to competition, which kicks off in style this week with the start of the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), and Spain’s Superliga by Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP).
The post GIANTX launches jersey and membership for 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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