Canada
Great Canadian Gaming Announces the Temporary Suspension of Operations at Casino Nova Scotia Halifax
Further to the announcement on November 24, 2020 from the Nova Scotia provincial government that certain businesses in certain regions, such as casinos, will be required to close as part of the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation will be suspending operations at Casino Nova Scotia Halifax as of Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 11:59pm AST. Casino Nova Scotia Sydney will remain open.
Great Canadian is committed to providing a safe environment for both its guests and team members and introduced significant health and safety protocols as part of the reopening of the Company’s properties in Ontario and New Brunswick on September 28, 2020, followed by its properties in Nova Scotia on October 5, 2020.
Great Canadian will continue to support the efforts of provincial governments, public health authorities, regulators and Crown partners in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Details regarding the reopening of Casino Nova Scotia Halifax will be announced at a later date.
Below is an overview of the operational status of the Company’s properties:
Current Status of Operations
Ontario |
Current Status |
Ontario |
Current Status |
|
Casino Woodbine |
Reopened September 28 with guest capacity of 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities; Closed October 9 |
Elements Casino Grand River |
Reopened September 28; Guest capacity 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
|
Elements Casino Mohawk |
Reopened September 28 with guest capacity of 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities; Closed November 15 |
Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands |
Reopened September 28; Guest capacity 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
|
Elements Casino Flamboro |
Reopened September 28 with guest capacity of 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities; Closed November 15 |
Shorelines Slots at Kawartha Downs |
Reopened September 28; Guest capacity 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
|
Casino Ajax |
Reopened September 28 with guest capacity of 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities; Closed November 22 |
Shorelines Casino Belleville |
Reopened September 28; Guest capacity 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
|
Great Blue Heron Casino |
Reopened September 28 with guest capacity of 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities; Closed November 22 |
Shorelines Casino Peterborough |
Reopened September 28; Guest capacity 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
|
Elements Casino Brantford |
Reopened September 28; Guest capacity 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
New Brunswick |
Current Status |
Nova Scotia |
Current Status |
|
Casino New Brunswick |
Reopened September 28; Closed October 9; Reopened October 23; Guest capacity of 50, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
Casino Nova Scotia Halifax |
Reopened October 5 with guest capacity of approximately 20% pre closure; limited table games and food and beverage amenities introduced November 12; Closed beginning November 26 |
|
British Columbia |
Current Status |
Casino Nova Scotia Sydney |
Reopened October 5; Guest capacity approximately 20% of pre closure capacity, no table games or food & beverage amenities |
|
All properties in British Columbia |
All properties in British Columbia closed since March 16 |
Boxes
Hacksaw Gaming and DraftKings Score Again in Ontario
2023 saw Hacksaw Gaming go live in West Virginia and New Jersey and now we have made our long-awaited entry in Ontario, Canada. Securing this trio has hit new heights and hopes for further successes throughout the rest of this year.
DraftKings Casino entered the iGaming market in Ontario in May of 2022 and partnered with Hacksaw Gaming in the back end of the same year. As Ontario’s regulated iGaming market only went live in April of 2022, the pair have given an outstanding performance with effective launch strategies and expansive footing in North America.
Apart from gaining an unprecedented reach across regulated markets, the mobile-friendly format of Hacksaw Gaming games can be visited on phone or tablet via the DraftKings Casino app. Boasting an impressive online casino’s selection of over 300 games, DraftKings now welcomes Hacksaw Gaming favourites such as Chaos Crew, Mines, Omnom and Boxes.
“The benchmarks we have set as a partnership are remarkable and we are ready to take on more challenges continuing into 2024,” the Chief Executive Officer for Hacksaw Gaming, Marcus Cordes, said.
BetVictor
Exploring Canada’s video Game Market: Survey Insights
Technology has become a great source of entertainment to many. Video games particularly have garnered interest from all demographics. In Canada, the gaming industry has experienced significant growth, fuelled by increased accessibility to gaming platforms and the growth of online gaming communities.
Statistics indicate that a large percentage of Canadians are engaged in gaming activities, whether it be playing console or PC games, mobile games, or online multiplayer games. The popularity of video games extends beyond leisure pastimes, with many Canadians participating in gaming competitions, attending gaming conventions, and consuming gaming-related content on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
The number of video game users in Canada reflects how broad the sector is, from mobile games to digital video games, download games and live streaming. In 2024, the gaming sector will see millions of users in each of these categories. Statista projects 13.38 million users for digital video games and 7.35 million users for online games respectively. It estimates that revenue in the Canadian video game market is expected to reach US$3,925.00m in 2024, so it is no surprise to observe the increasing popularity of the sector.
Well-known online casino provider BetVictor has compiled some key points from major surveys detailing the video game market to give further insight into its makeup and potential. The gaming culture in Canada is growing, which means the type of games and genres will grow along with the sector. Statista recently conducted a survey of 1 576 respondents aged 18 – 64 who are avid video game players, with telling results. In December 2023, a survey about preferred video game genres in Canada revealed the top four genres as being Action, Action – adventure, Adventure and casual games accounting for 31% of respondents’ preferences.
David Winter, Marketing Manager at BetVictor notes that “We’ve seen a steady increase in the popularity of action-themed and adventure-themed slots and many providers are exploring how to expand further into this market.”
The popularity of Action games such as platform and fighting games can be attributed to various factors, such as: social interaction, accessibility and inclusivity, social appeal, and cultural influence. With such a diverse audience, all these factors are crucial to understand the appeal of Action games.
In the digital age, gaming has transcended mere entertainment to become a cornerstone of culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in Canada. From coast to coast, a diverse community of gamers is thriving, reflecting the country’s inclusive spirit and passion for technology. Whether it’s the casual gamer enjoying a quick session on their smartphone or the dedicated enthusiast meticulously building a custom gaming PC, Canada offers a welcome haven for all kinds of gamers.
Diving deeper into the Statista results, Strategy games accounted for 29%. This shows us that players have a strong interest in tactical and decision-making games. While role-playing (RPG) and sports games garnered 22% each, simulation and shooters trailed slightly behind at 21% and 20% respectively.
MMO (massively multiplayer online games), as well as MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) and MOBA (multi online battle arenas) came in at 13% and 8% respectively, representing a significant but niche following. With such a diverse array of preferences, the survey underscores the multifaceted nature of interests among Canadian gamers. It highlights the need for game developers to cater for a wide range of genres and gameplaying styles in the Canadian market.
From action shooter games to role-playing adventures, the industry has something for every gaming enthusiast in the Canadian market. Overall, the popularity of video games in Canada reflects a growing cultural phenomenon, where gaming has become a mainstream form of entertainment and a significant aspect of modern-day leisure activities.
Statistics anticipate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.10% for 2022-2027, resulting in a projected market volume of US$24.52bn by 2027. Canada’s online gaming market is experiencing a surge in popularity, with a surging number of Canadian players engaging in immersive virtual reality experiences.
Canada
iGaming Ontario Seeks Proposals for a Centralized Self-exclusion Solution Until April 24, 2024
iGaming Ontario (iGO) is currently seeking proposals for Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion solution for igaming from now until April 24.
Partnering with iGO on this multi-year project offers a unique and exciting opportunity for forward-thinking and innovative organizations prepared to make a lasting positive impact on the igaming landscape in Ontario. Interested organizations can visit iGaming Ontario’s dedicated procurement page on MERX to review all NRFP details and prepare their submissions for this high-profile initiative.
The successful bidder will develop a system that:
- Integrates seamlessly with all Ontario igaming operators’ systems, including Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)’s igaming site.
- Provides anyone 19+ with easy access to create and manage their self-exclusion profile.
- Implements Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification, registration, renewal, and reinstatement processes that are intuitive, simple, and offer supporting information.
How to Participate in the Bidding Process?
The Centralized Self-Exclusion (CSE) Solution, along with other iGO current and past bid opportunities, can be found on iGO’s MERX page.
Have a question?
Use the question and answer tool provided on iGO’s MERX page to submit any questions you might have. Please note that iGaming Ontario will only entertain questions about open bidding opportunities in accordance with government directives.
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