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Deloitte’s 2019 TMT Predictions forecast the rise of the smart speaker in Canada
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Deloitte predicts the smart speaker will become the fastest-growing connected device category worldwide with a distinctly Canadian usage: checking the weather
- Smart speakers to become the fastest-growing internet connected device worldwide
- Canadian talent and innovation to drive country’s growth in cloud-based AI
- Popularity of sports betting leads to increased TV viewership among Canadian men, especially when money’s on the table
In the 18th edition of its Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions, Deloitte forecasts the rise of the smart speaker—internet-connected speaker with integrated digital assistants—in Canada. While smart speaker adoption in the country is currently at nine per cent, Deloitte anticipates further adoption when language barriers are overcome and Canadians truly understand the devices’ capabilities. Smart speaker adoption in Quebec is almost half that of the rest of the country, and of six countries surveyed, most people used the technology to play music—except in Canada, where people use smart speakers to check the weather.
“Globally, smart speakers are poised for impressive growth,” said Duncan Stewart, director of research for TMT at Deloitte Canada. “In Canada, we’re also predicting growth, but barriers to adoption remain. Language acceptance is still a challenge in Quebec, with usage lagging behind the rest of the country. Additionally – and while it likely comes as no surprise – Canadians tend to use smart speakers to check the weather, but the power of these devices extends far beyond that.”
Deloitte predicts the industry for smart speakers will be worth US$7 billion in 2019. At a 63 per cent growth rate over 2018, smart speakers are poised to become the fastest-growing connected device category worldwide.
AI in Canada: Keeping up with the competitors
Deloitte predicts that companies will accelerate their usage of cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) software and services in 2019. Although Canada doesn’t have the size and scale to realistically compete head-to-head with the global tech cloud giants, it will likely supply technology to those who’ll be providing AI through the cloud. Canada will also see a democratization of AI capabilities and benefits that had previously been the sole preserve of early adopters.
As a strong global leader in AI, Canadian innovation and talent can drive the growth of AI through the cloud, most likely at the applications level, with a focus on enterprise software. Of the global companies already using AI, 58 per cent are using cloud enterprise software plus AI, which is predicted to rise to 87 per cent by 2020.
“Signs point to AI becoming one of the leading economic drivers of our time,” said Anders McKenzie, managing partner for TMT at Deloitte Canada. “Canada is a leader in both research and talent, which positions us well to drive innovation and growth for cloud-based AI by equipping providers with the technology to meet demand.”
In Canada, TV sports broadcasting is a safe bet
Globally, sports gambling is a US$200 billion industry. In Canada and the United States, TV sports watching and gambling is increasingly popular among 18-34-year-old-men, although Canadians tune in slightly less than their American counterparts. In the US, 73 per cent of Americans who bet on sports at least weekly are much more likely to watch the event on TV, compared to 59 per cent of
Canadians. Deloitte predicts that of the demographic who watch TV sports, 60 per cent will also bet on it—and the more often they bet, the more they’ll watch.
Deloitte’s annual TMT Predictions provide an outlook on key trends in the technology, media, and telecommunications industry sectors worldwide. They’re based on global research, including in-depth interviews with clients, industry analysts, global industry leaders, and Deloitte member-firm TMT practitioners. Last year, Deloitte was 90 per cent accurate with its TMT predictions.
The most significant TMT predictions in 2019 are:
- Hold onto your handsets: 5G heralds a much faster world – 2019 will be the year in which fifth-generation (5G) wide-area wireless networks arrive in scale, offering higher speeds than its 4G predecessor. That’s likely good news for some of the 24 per cent of Canadians who have a wireless-only connection for their home data needs when 5G launches in Canada in 2020 or 2021.
- Cloud cover spreading AI capabilities to all – In 2019, companies will accelerate their usage of cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) software and services, with 70 per cent of AI adopters obtaining their AI capabilities through cloud-based enterprise software. Of the global companies already using AI, 58 per cent are using cloud enterprise software plus AI, which is predicted to rise to 87 per cent by 2020.
- Siri/Alexa/Google, what’s the weather like today, eh? – The industry for smart speakers—internet-connected speakers with integrated digital assistants—will be worth US$7 billion in 2019, becoming the fastest-growing connected device category worldwide.
- Does TV sports have a future in Canada? Bet on it – In 2019, 60 per cent of Canadian and American men aged 18-34 who watch sports on TV will also bet on sports, and the more often they bet, the more often they’ll watch.
- On your marks, get set, game! – The North American market for esports will expand by 35 per cent in 2019, with the global market to reach US$1 billion by the end of 2019.
- Radio: Revenue, reach, and resilience – Deloitte predicts global radio revenue to reach US$40 billion in 2019, with over 85 per cent of the developed world’s adult population tuning in weekly.
- 3D printing picks up steam again – Sales related to 3D printing by large public companies will grow at about 12.5 per cent in each 2019 and 2020, more than double its five per cent growth rate from just a few years ago.
- Sino the times: Connectivity-driven innovation from China – China will have world-leading telecommunications networks in 2019, laying the groundwork to provide for the gestation and maturation of at least three significant new industries, each of which could generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue annually by 2023.
- AI will run on Chinese semiconductors – Revenues for semiconductors manufactured in China will grow by 25 per cent to US$110 billion in 2019, up from US$85 billion in 2018. Deloitte also predicts that in 2019 a Chinese chip foundry will begin producing semiconductors that are specialized for AI and machine-learning tasks.
- Quantum computers are coming–lock up your data – Quantum computers (QCs) will not replace classical computers for decades, but Deloitte predicts the QC market of the future will be about the size of today’s supercomputer market – around US$50 billion.
Deloitte’s Canadian TMT Predictions road show kicks off on January 10 in Toronto, followed by stops in Montreal, Quebec City, Kitchener-Waterloo, Vancouver, Ottawa, and other Canadian cities.
About Deloitte:
Deloitte provides audit & assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500® companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights and service to address clients’ most complex business challenges.
Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.
Source: Deloitte & Touche
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Mindway AI, the award-winning safer gambling software company, has enlisted the skill set of BetComply, iGaming’s most trusted technical and regulatory compliance firm, as it looks to further develop its product offering and support more operators.
The partnership will see BetComply’s Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist Jez White and his team advising Mindway AI on how its solutions can be best incorporated into operators’ safer gambling functions.
BetComply will also provide support on Mindway AI’s product roadmap and new business opportunities, with a focus on GameScanner, an advanced software solution that helps gambling operators boost player protection and intervene early to prevent at-risk gambling behaviour.
BetComply’s Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist Jez White said: “Mindway AI is at the cutting edge of safer gambling technology, and we’re excited to support their mission to raise the industry standard. Our goal is to help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring operators can fully harness tools like GameScanner to deliver more effective, proactive player protection.”
Mindway AI’s CEO Rasmus Kjaergaard added: “We’re thrilled to be working with BetComply, where Jez and his team’s vast operational experience will be a huge asset as we continue delivering our award-winning software to more clients. We’re excited about what we can achieve together.”
In March, White joined BetComply as the firm’s first Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist, following more than eight years at Entain, where he served as Director of Player Protection Systems and Analytics.
The post Mindway AI partners with BetComply to scale safer gambling support appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
EveryMatrix has kicked off 2025 with powerful momentum, reporting a standout first quarter of exceptional revenue growth and profitability.
The tier-1 iGaming technology platform supplier delivered a very strong first quarter performance, with net revenue reaching €54 million, up 39% Year-on-Year (YoY), and EBITDA increasing to €28m, up 27% YoY, driven by strong growth from existing clients and innovative product launches.
EBITDA margin reached 52%, making it the eighth consecutive quarter above 50%, as the company continues to scale its platform and casino content technologies while maintaining strong financial discipline.
The last twelve months’ EBITDA reached €107m, up 50% YoY, building on 2024’s milestone achievement of surpassing €100 million in annual EBITDA.
Q1 MILESTONES SIGNAL POWERHOUSE YEAR AHEAD
A highlight of the first quarter was the successful migration of Bet600 – the first full turnkey FSB Technologies customer in the UK – to the EveryMatrix platform. The company aim remains to have all clients fully migrated in 2025 thereby realizing large cost synergies from this key acquisition.
EveryMatrix launched its cutting-edge proprietary Horse Racing solution by combining FSB’s proven knowledge and experience in Horse Racing with the innovation of OddsMatrix development teams. It provides global horse racing coverage with 10k+ monthly events, full system bets offering with bonusing capabilities and configurations and a purpose-built Horse Racing front end with rich Racecard content & live streaming integrations among some of the features.
A landmark deal was signed to deliver a full casino turnkey platform solution to SkyCity Entertainment Group. SkyCity is one of New Zealand’s largest entertainment companies owning five land-based casinos across both NZ and Australia and the online casino brand SkyCitycasino.com. SkyCity migrates from their current provider to EveryMatrix later this year.
SPORTS SURGE AND STRONG CASINO & PLATFORM GROWTH
Q1 2025 saw the company’s sports division deliver exceptional growth, with quarterly sports turnover rising 30% YoY to €1.7b, while GGR climbing 60% YoY to €154m on the back of continued strong trading margins. The last twelve months (LTM) turnover hit €6.3b, reflecting a 48% YoY increase, with GGR rising by 92% YoY to €505m. Part of the growth came from reaching a record number of nearly 600,000 live events, a 24% YoY increase.
Casino experienced the strongest quarterly financial results to date, with net revenue climbing to €28.6m, up 44% YoY, while EBITDA reached €16.8m, up 29% YoY. Casino GGR reached €753m, a 22% YoY increase, with the LTM reaching €2.9b, a 38% YoY increase.
GamMatrix, the company’s Gaming and Player Account Management Platform, experienced a net revenue increase of €8.6m, up 18% YoY, while EBITDA landed at €2.4m, a 23% decrease YoY. The decrease in EBITDA margin is related to a change in internal revenue allocation.
Ebbe Groes, Group CEO of EveryMatrix, said: “I’m very excited for 2025. Q1 was a solid quarter, a great start, and the rest of the year looks just as promising. We had a phenomenal year in 2024, which will be hard to beat, but thanks to the momentum we’ve set in motion during the last few years, I’m sure we’ll be able to do it.
“Our sports division never ceases to amaze me, breaking record after record. This quarter, we managed to reach 600,000 live events, all thanks to our ability to expand our coverage and add new products and features even while experiencing this much continuous growth.”
Q1 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
- Reached net revenue of €54m, up 39% YoY, with EBITDA at €28m, up 27% YoY, driven primarily by strong growth from existing clients.
- EBITDA margin reached 52%. Last twelve months’ EBITDA reached €107m, up 50% YoY.
- Migrated Bet600 from FSB to EveryMatrix platform, the company’s first such migration.
- OddsMatrix’s brand new Horse Racing product went live with this launch.
- Signed New Zealand’s SkyCity Entertainment Group to deliver a full casino turnkey platform solution.
- First three dedicated blackjack tables went live, another step up for the business’ PlayMatrix live dealer product.
- Launched OddsMatrix feeds for LeoVegas Group to enhance their global sportsbook offering.
- Won Norsk Tipping’s Casino and eInstant RFP, the largest-ever SlotMatrix deal, delivering aggregation, in-house and bespoke content.
- Launched SlotMatrix casino content with Caesars Entertainment across five U.S. states, expanding U.S. presence (post-quarter).
- Introduced New Odds Models for Football and Handball and enhanced retail Self Service Betting Terminals (SSBTs).
- Introduced real-time Rakeback through LoyalityEngine, the company’s Newly Launched Cross-Vertical Loyalty Program.
- Integrated 14 new casino vendors, now totalling 185+ and 345+ content providers.
- Signed 20 new PartnerMatrix clients.
The post EveryMatrix set for another standout year with strong Q1 performance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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DaNiAL, Tejas to Represent India at Prestigious WAVES Esports Championship Starting May 1
Danial “DaNiAL” Patel and Tejaskumar Hasmukhbhai Bhoi will represent Team India at the prestigious WAVES Esports Championship (WESC), organised by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI), in Mumbai’s Jio Convention Centre from May 1. The duo will clash against players from five foreign countries in the International leg after emerging victorious in the fiercely contested India leg of WESC 2025, which saw the top Phase winners battle it out for national supremacy.
From a field of over 35,000 participants, the Indian leg brought together the top eight players in two titles—eFootball and World Cricket Championship 3—from the four WESC 2025 phases. In an intense showdown, DaNiAL clinched the top spot in eFootball while Tejas outperformed his peers in WCC3. In the international leg, DaNiAL will face opponents from Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand in eFootball, while Tejas will compete against representatives from Nepal and Sri Lanka in WCC3.
Speaking on the occasion, ESFI President, Mr Lokesh Suji, said: “I am incredibly proud of DaNiAL and Tejas for earning the honour of representing India at the inaugural WAVES Esports Summit. WAVES has been instrumental in unearthing talent from every corner of the country. Their qualification reflects the rising calibre of Indian esports, and I’m confident they’ll make the nation proud on the international stage.”
Esports holds a significant place within the AVGC-XR pillar of the WAVES Summit, recognising the burgeoning gaming and competitive video gaming scene in India. This dynamic segment benefits from the global Summit’s impressive scale, anticipating over 5,000 delegates from 100 countries and the participation of more than 750 creators.
Amidst this vibrant setting, DaNiAL and Tejas will be honored with the WAVES Trophy on May 4, celebrating their triumph in the Indian leg. Joining them in recognition will be Love Sharma and Pappu Kumar Priyedarshi—who secured second and third place in WCC3—along with Akash Rudro Dhar and Pawan Kampelli, who rounded out the podium in eFootball. The overall international champions will be honoured with WESC Medals at the Creatosphere Award Ceremony on May 4.
On his triumph in the Indian leg and his preparations ahead, DaNiAL said: “I’m incredibly proud of this victory—it’s a testament to the hard work, discipline, and support from everyone around me. Winning here is just the beginning, and I’m excited to take this momentum into the international stage. My preparation for the international leg will be even more intense. I’ll be analyzing top players, refining my strategies, and staying mentally and physically sharp. This next step is huge, and I’m committed to giving it everything I have.”
Speaking on his qualification and the chance to represent India, Tejas said: “I feel very proud about qualifying for the finals in the waves. I will try to accept the opportunity that I have got to bring glory to India, and I will try my best to bring the trophy to India. I am ready for the finals. The preparations are intense. I will come back after winning.”
As the governing body for esports in India, ESFI has been instrumental in shaping the country’s competitive gaming landscape. With a track record that includes the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Esports Championship, and affiliations with leading global bodies, ESFI now proudly hosts WESC as part of its commitment to putting India on the international esports map.
The post DaNiAL, Tejas to Represent India at Prestigious WAVES Esports Championship Starting May 1 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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