VICI Properties Inc. announced that it has entered into an amendment and consented to the assignment of the master lease agreement with PURE Canadian Gaming Corp. (PURE) to an affiliate of Indigenous Gaming Partners Inc. (IGP), in connection with the acquisition of the operating assets of PURE by an affiliate of IGP.

IGP is a partnership of five institutional First Nations established to acquire gaming assets in North America. IGP has partnered with Sonco Gaming, one of Canada’s most experienced casino developers and managers, who will assist in the sourcing and execution of casino gaming investments, as well as management oversight of IGP’s portfolio.

Danny Valoy, Vice President of Business Development and Acquisitions, said: “This transaction demonstrates VICI’s ability to collaboratively work with existing partners while building new relationships with highly experienced operators and First Nations in international jurisdictions. We are pleased to welcome IGP as a new partner, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with IGP and Sonco as they pursue additional growth opportunities in the future.”

Anthony Novac, CEO of Sonco, said: “We are excited to work with VICI, an established partner in providing financial solutions to the gaming industry. We believe having a partner like VICI will give us a competitive advantage as we seek growth opportunities in the Canadian market.”

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In connection with entering into the amendment to the PURE Canadian master lease, VICI received a 5-year right of first offer (ROFO) on future sale-leaseback transactions. Any additional properties acquired pursuant to the ROFO will be added to the master lease.

The annual base rent of C$22.0 million (US$15.5 million based on the CAD:USD exchange rate as of December 9, 2024) and other economic terms of the PURE Canadian master lease will remain unchanged, including a base term of 25-years with four 5-year tenant renewal options, escalation of 1.25% per annum in lease year 3, with escalation equal to the greater of 1.5% and Canadian CPI (capped at 2.5%) starting in lease year 4, and a minimum capital expenditure requirement equal to 1.0% of annual net revenue. The lease, currently in lease year 2 and escalating on February 1 of each year, encompasses the following assets in Alberta, Canada: PURE Casino Edmonton, PURE Casino Yellowhead, PURE Casino Calgary and PURE Casino Lethbridge.

Aquimo Inc., a leader in mobile gaming technology for sports broadcasts and live events, has partnered with Sportsnet, Canada’s #1 sports network, to bring hockey fans a one-of-a-kind, new interactive mobile gaming experience. Sportsnet Slap Shot Showdown – a brand-new, custom mobile game developed by Aquimo, launched on December 7 during Sportsnet’s live Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, giving fans across Canada a chance to compete in real-time multiplayer challenges and a month-long contest to win exclusive prizes, including a 2025 Hyundai Kona. This collaboration marks Aquimo’s first television broadcast partnership in Canada and a milestone in the company’s expansion into the market.

Powered by Aquimo’s innovative technology platform, Sportsnet Slap Shot Showdown will allow fans to engage with live hockey broadcasts in an entirely new way while watching their favorite teams compete on ice. Aquimo’s proprietary mobile tech enables millions of fans to play together in real-time, seamlessly integrating branded experiences into live broadcasts. For broadcasters like Sportsnet, Aquimo’s platform provides tools to boost audience retention, foster loyalty, and create measurable value for brand sponsors through a highly engaging second screen experience.

Beginning this month, fans watching Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet can join the action by simply scanning a QR code displayed on-screen during each live broadcast, allowing them to test their hockey skills in dynamic challenges against fellow viewers. Throughout the month of December, players can stay engaged well beyond the live broadcasts, competing for weekly prizes and a chance at the top grand prizes. This innovative collaboration merges the thrill of live hockey with the excitement of competitive gaming, delivering an unparalleled viewing experience for fans while creating unique opportunities for advertisers to connect with Sportsnet’s engaged audience.

“We’re proud to be working with Sportsnet to bring this unique activation to life and give Canadian hockey fans an exciting new way to engage with the game they love – one that creates a dynamic and immersive connection with the action both on and off the ice. This collaboration underscores the power of interactive mobile gaming to transform live sports broadcasts, and our ability to create meaningful engagement for fans while providing a new form of measurable value for broadcasters, their sponsors and partners,” said Mark Jeffery, founder and CEO of Aquimo.

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Fans participating during each live broadcast will have access to exclusive challenges and the opportunity to win weekly prizes, made possible by Sportsnet’s brand partners. Weekly top two eligible high scorers can look forward to winning special rewards including Shark/Ninja Game Night Packs consisting of a sushi maker, vacuum, indoor grill and a cooler, or $250 Today’s Shopping Choice gift cards, adding to the game-day experience and excitement on the ice. Throughout December, players can continue competing in multiple games to climb the leaderboard, culminating in the awarding of two grand prizes. The top scorer across all games at the end of the month will win a 2025 Hyundai Kona, while the second grand prize winner will be chosen via a random drawing at the end of the month and will receive a year’s supply of coffee from Tim Hortons. All participating fans will automatically be entered into the drawing.

“Our collaboration with Aquimo and the launch of Sportsnet Slap Shot Showdown represents an innovative step forward in how we engage our audience and marketers. By incorporating Aquimo’s interactive gaming technology into our broadcasts, we’re not only enhancing the fan experience, but also giving our partners a new and exciting platform to connect with fans in a meaningful and memorable way,” said Anthony Attard, Vice-president of Sales at Sportsnet.

This partnership highlights the growing demand for interactive, audience-driven experiences in live sports broadcasting. For Aquimo, the partnership represents a significant step forward in its mission to revolutionize fan engagement on a global scale. As its first broadcast partnership in the Canadian market, this activation demonstrates the company’s ability to tailor its platform to meet the needs of broadcasters and brands, while delivering a best-in-class experience for fans. For Sportsnet, it underscores the network’s commitment to innovation and its leadership in delivering exceptional hockey coverage. Together, the two companies are setting a new benchmark for fan participation, creating a win-win for fans, broadcasters, and brand partners alike.

International Game Technology PLC announced that its new Powerbucks Blackjack game is now available to online players in multiple jurisdictions in Canada. The theme links to IGT’s Powerbucks omnichannel wide-area progressive (WAP) jackpot prize pool, Canada’s largest jackpot connecting land-based, online and mobile games.

“IGT is excited to build on its omnichannel jackpot leadership in Canada and the success of our Powerbucks portfolio by delivering a new evolution of one of the most popular casino card games. Designed to deliver the ultimate gaming experience, IGT’s Powerbucks Blackjack offers players the opportunity to win life-changing jackpots and provides operators with another compelling content option to help drive strong performance results,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA, and LATAM Gaming Sales.

Bringing a player-favorite card game to a new level, IGT’s Powerbucks Blackjack offers a state-of-the-art user interface with vibrant animations, language localization, and a sleek design for an engaging experience.

Launched in 2016, IGT Powerbucks slots is the world’s first omnichannel WAP game that links the jackpot prize pool between gaming machines found in land-based casinos with digital-based games in Canada. Since their debut, Powerbucks slots have paid over 50 jackpots of 1 million dollars or more across the country.

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