Canada
Poker Initiative One More For One Drop Helps World Series of Poker Reach $25 Million Raised Since 2012 To Benefit One Drop Foundation’s Critical Water-Mission
Our friends at the World Series of Poker and the entire poker community deserve the longest standing ovation for what they have accomplished with One Drop over the past 10 years. All sectors combined, how many companies do you know have been able to mobilize their stakeholders to raise $25 million for a charity?” Guy Laliberté, founder of the One Drop Foundation.
With the same ambition with which the One Drop Foundation strives to change the game in the water sector, poker initiative One More For One Drop is transforming lives. Held this past weekend in Las Vegas to celebrate 10 years of turning water into action together, the One More for One Drop tournament in Las Vegas raised $632,922, bringing the total amount of funds raised through partnership with the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to $25 million. Since 2012, the WSOP, the poker community and the One Drop Foundation have amassed a history of 17 impactful charitable poker tournaments benefitting One Drop Foundation’s water-mission and transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
Over the years, the One Drop Foundation and the WSOP have created three charitable poker tournament formats that have been held in Las Vegas, Rozvadov (Czech Republic) and in Monaco. Kicking off in Las Vegas in 2012, Guy Laliberté, founder of the One Drop Foundation, envisioned a game-changing poker tournament called, The Big One for One Drop, that made history on several fronts – including the first $1 million buy-in event and the biggest first prize ever awarded totaling $18,346,673. This tournament has generated nearly $16 million in contributions for One Drop Foundation’s mission through its four editions that were held biennially from 2012 to 2018. In addition to The Big One for One Drop, there have been eight editions of another rendition poker tournament titled, The Little One for One Drop, a $1,000 buy- in charitable poker event with a $111 optional contribution, and five editions of yet another charitable poker tournament titled, The High Roller for One Drop, a $111,111 buy-in. More than 20,000 poker players have contributed since the beginning of the One Drop-WSOP partnership in 2012, either by playing one or more tournaments or making donations at cash-out.
The recent One More for One Drop tournament held this past weekend in Las Vegas enabled the One Drop Foundation to pass the extraordinary mark of $25,000,000 raised through their poker initiatives for One Drop Foundation’s crucial mission of ensuring sustainable access to safe water for communities facing extreme barriers.
“Our friends at the World Series of Poker and the entire poker community deserve the longest standing ovation for what they have accomplished with One Drop over the past 10 years. All sectors combined, how many companies do you know have been able to mobilize their stakeholders to raise $25 million for a charity? This is not only a true example of generosity, it is also a leadership testimonial in the purest form. Thank you, my friends, for caring so much for the cause of safe water for all and for giving the best of yourselves to put a lasting dent into poverty with us,” said Guy Laliberté, founder of the One Drop Foundation.
“I will remember forever when Guy presented to me his idea for a $1 million buy-in charitable tournament that would soon be known as The Big One for One Drop. You have to remember that in 2012, super high roller tournaments rarely exceeded $100,000. Adding a zero was not the typical increment. Guy was so passionate about the idea and about the impact this tournament would have on access to water in the world that we decided to join forces immediately. I was far from imagining that 10 years later we would have raised over $25 million for the One Drop Foundation and have impacted so many lives. The entire poker community should be very proud of this achievement” said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of WSOP.
The One Drop Foundation was established in 2007 by Cirque du Soleil and Lune Rouge founder Guy Laliberté as an international foundation dedicated to ensuring sustainable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene locally and globally. In the midst of a global pandemic, the One Drop Foundation and its partners kept making a difference and soon, their actions will have changed the lives of more than 2.3 million people around the world with 26 projects in 14 countries.
The funds raised during One More for One Drop will directly support One Drop Foundation’s safe water access initiatives both locally and around the world.
High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.
“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.
Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.
“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.
The post High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has released the program for its upcoming annual conference, to be held in Toronto from 20-23 October.
With the theme ‘Resilient regulation: Exploring what works, why and what’s next’, the event brings together global regulators and thought leaders to examine how regulatory frameworks can evolve to meet today’s challenges.
The four-day program explores timely issues, including the rise of AI and behavioural analytics, the impact of converging technologies, cross-border collaboration and the continued push to strengthen responsible gambling policies.
IAGR President Ben Haden said the program offers a strong preview of the content and conversations delegates can expect in Toronto.
‘This year’s program showcases the breadth and complexity of the challenges facing gambling regulators worldwide, from protecting player wellbeing to tackling illegal markets and understanding new technologies,’ Haden said.
‘I encourage regulators, researchers and policy professionals from around the world to join us in Toronto. The conference is a space to learn, share experience, challenge assumptions and shape the future of effective, collaborative regulation.’
Confirmed speakers and panellists include:
- Andrew Rhodes, CEO, Gambling Commission, Great Britain
- Anders Dorph, Director, Danish Gambling Authority, Denmark
- Dr Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Canada
- Mark Vander Linden, Director of Research and Responsible Gaming and Carrie Torrisi, Chief of Sports Wagering Division, Massachusetts Gaming Commission, United States
- Bashir Are, CEO, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Nigeria
- Teo Chun Ching, Chief Executive, Gambling Regulatory Authority, Singapore
- Ladipo Abiose Akolade, Founder, GamblePause Initiative Africa, Nigeria
- Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO, Mindway AI, Denmark
- Tracy Parker, Senior Vice President, Accreditation, Advisory and Insights, Responsible Gambling Council, Canada
- Pedro Romero, Chief of Safer Gambling Partnerships, BetBlocker, Gibraltar
- Sonia Wasowska, Head of Supervision, General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, United Arab Emirates
- Steven Blackburn, Partner, Ashurst Risk Advisory, Australia
The event will be held at The Westin Harbour Castle on Toronto’s waterfront.
The post IAGR announces program for IAGR2025 conference in Toronto appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Home field advantage has a new name, as the Edmonton Elks announced that Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is now the home of the Elks.
The field naming rights are part of a broader multi-year agreement between Play Alberta and the EE, making Play Alberta the official sports betting partner of the Club.
“We couldn’t be more excited to expand our partnership with Play Alberta. This partnership is about more than just putting a name on the field – it’s about building something meaningful for our fans and our community. Play Alberta is an Alberta-based organization that shares our values and our commitment to giving back. Together, we’re creating new ways for fans to connect with our team and experience the game day atmosphere in a whole new way,” said Elks President and CEO Chris Morris.
The expanded relationship between the Elks and Play Alberta will allow the game day experience to continue to grow. Fans can look forward to unique activations and promotions around the stadium, including the chance to win game tickets and memorabilia.
“Since Play Alberta’s launch five years ago, our team has made it a priority to connect with the communities where our players live and work. We are very excited to join the Edmonton Elks on the field on game days during upcoming CFL seasons. Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium allows us to partner with the Elks and showcase two brands built for Albertans in a historic Edmonton location,” said Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Chief Executive Officer Kandice Machado.
The Elks open their 76th season on Saturday, June 7 in Vancouver when they take on the B.C. Lions. Edmonton’s home opener at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is slated for Thursday, June 19 against the Montreal Alouettes.
The post Edmonton Elks, Play Alberta Connect on New Partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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