Established iGaming industry stakeholders Playtech and the NorthStar Gaming Holdings extend the strategic partnership from June 2023 to reinforce their operations in the growing Ontario market. Their respective verticals, Playtech Software Limited and the NorthStar Ontario, will be able to exclusively focus on the operating goals set after Playtech has agreed to funnel CA$3.0m (US$2.2m) in short-term financing to NorthStar to facilitate player pool expansion in Ontario.

$4.0 Million Financing Facility

The original strategic agreement signed in June 2023 included a complete availability of Playtech Software’s services for the operator. The facility valued at $4.0 million was a key driver for NorthStar to increase its presence in the Canadian province in 2023 and grow revenues accordingly.

Six-Month Extension

The strategy seems to have proven successful as the deal is now extended. Under the extension, Playtech Software will continue with the provision of similar marketing services once again valued at $4.0 million. The renewed contract has been set for a six-month performance and will run through 31 October 2024.

Reimbursement Plan

Under the agreement, NorthStar will use the short-term financial facility to boost its marketing activities and repay the funds to Playtech Software from the income generated over the contract period. The operator will benefit from the balance between the revenue generated and the six-month financing cost, while the provider may benefit from the financing conditions.

Financing Ontarian Expansion

As for these conditions, NorthStar has already issued a $3.0m unsecured, interest-bearing promissory note to Playtech, with interest rate of 8.0% per annum, payable in arrears at maturity. According to NorthStar, the investment will help the company’s balance sheet adjustments and continued expansion in Ontario.

NorthStar chair and CEO Michael Moskowitz commented: “We are very pleased to continue to strengthen our relationship with Playtech, one of the world’s leading gambling technology companies. Their ongoing support has been instrumental in helping us to acquire new customers, provide a premium online gaming experience and fund the expansion of our brand in Ontario and across Canada.”

$12.25 Million Investment Boosts Collaboration

The extension of the 2023 strategic agreement comes after Playtech agreed to make a $12.25 million strategic investment in the NorthStar Ontario-based online casino and sports betting facility a few months earlier. In fact, the strategic partnership between the two companies dates back to December 2021. Since then, Playtech has supported NorthStar and the the existing contract for software and services has now been extended by 10 years.

Repayment Guarantee

Playtech’s investments are converted into equity and warrants related to Baden Resources Inc, a company acquired by NorthStar in March 2023.In this way, Playtech holds around 16% of shares belonging to NorthStar, as well as warrants to potentially acquire above 20% stake in this company. The transaction is additionally secured by the inclusion of Playtech’s chief financial officer Chris McGinnis in the board of directors of the subject entity.

Source: “Playtech renews Ontario deal with NorthStar and advances financing’’. iGaming Business. April 29, 2024.

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Despite the subpar performance and decreasing revenues reported by D.C. Lottery’s existing mobile sports betting application, GambetDC, the Lottery may continue its collaboration with Intralot, the Greek company that currently powers the mobile betting app. The collaboration between the duo dates back to 2019. At the time, D.C. Lottery signed a five-year partnership with Intralot.

This summer, the contract between the two is expected to end. While critics of GambetDC have repeatedly flagged different concerns related to technical glitches, uncompetitive odds and continuous underperformance, Intralot may retain its partnership with the D.C. Lottery, at least for a short period of time.

Customer dissatisfaction has been growing over the last few years, yet a new report suggests that the D.C. Lottery may prolong its partnership with the Greek betting software developer. Frank Suarez, the head of the Lottery, who was recently cited by Washington City Paper, spoke in front of the Office of Lottery and Gaming on the topic last week.

At the time, he revealed that D.C. Lottery is considering renewing its collaboration with Intralot. This is possible under a policy within the contract that allows renewal of up to five years after the initial contract’s expiration date, which is set for July. “The length of the extension is not clear yet,” explained Suarez.

The Prolonged Collaboration Is a Temporary Solution

Before the expiry of the contract, the D.C. Lottery also hinted at plans to improve GambetDC. This can be achieved by engaging with a third-party company that will improve the sports betting app. The recently announced plan ultimately seeks to strengthen GambetDC, allowing the city to benefit from increased revenues.

D.C. Lottery’s plan to improve the sports betting app may create a new opportunity for operators such as FanDuel, BetMGM or Caesars, for example, to operate the mobile betting app in Washington D.C. Yet, the plan doesn’t sound like the best resolution in the context of the problematic relationship between the Lottery and Intralot, as well as the underperformance of the mobile sports betting application in the city.

Still, according to Suarez, the possibility of engaging with a “top performing, nationally recognized” sports betting operator for GambetDC isn’t a permanent solution. He revealed that this action seeks to offset the dissatisfactory performance of the betting app, while the D.C. Lottery would consider whether to prolong its collaboration with Intralot and for how long. With that in mind, even if the Lottery anticipates ending its business relationship with the software provider, it will need time to prepare the application process for a new supplier.

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New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland regulators appointed special managers to oversee the company’s operations after the scandals surrounding its risk management failures and unethical behaviors. The beleaguered operator has recorded substantial progress in remedying its deficiencies but must still convince authorities it is ready to resume control.

Both Regions Expect Swift Progress

In ASX filings on Friday, Star disclosed the extension of Nicholas Weeks’ term as Manager of The Star Sydney by nearly six months, lasting until 30 June 2024. Similar to NSW, the position of the Special Manager for The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane casinos in Queensland has been extended by 12 months to 8 December 2024. 

These extensions aim to demonstrate that Star is capable of the necessary remedial actions to regain suitability and resume gaming activities as per its casino license provisions in NSW and Queensland. This change necessitates Star to demonstrate its adherence to the ongoing remediation plans and regain suitability by summer 2024.

Queensland’s decision to extend its special management follows a recent decision by Attorney General Yvette D’Ath to alter the effective date of a 90-day casino license suspension from 1 December 2023 to 31 May 2024. Meanwhile, the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) clarified that its extension will likely mark the final continuation of the Manager’s term, with the option to conclude the tenure earlier if deemed appropriate.

The Operator Faces Growing Pressures

Star Entertainment managing director and CEO Robbie Cooke commented on the recent developments, expressing satisfaction with the Remediation Plan’s approval in Queensland. He stressed the need for unwavering commitment, accountability, and diligence to implement the measures successfully and prove that Star Entertainment can operate without additional supervision.

Despite the operator’s steady progress towards compliance, it faces substantial financial issues. Recent casino duty rate increases threaten to undermine the company’s long road to profitability as its FY 2022/23 results reported an unpleasant full-year loss of $1.6 million. However, all revenue-related policies must wait until the company regains regulatory compliance.

We need to regain the trust and confidence of all our stakeholders and communities and continue to have an unwavering focus on transformation.

Robbie Cooke, Star Entertainment managing director

While Star Entertainment has recorded steady progress with its remedial measures, many industry experts express skepticism about whether the operator can salvage its influence and reputation. Even if the company regains the trust of regulators, it must still struggle with mounting losses and macroeconomic pressures, meaning a return to profitability may take years.

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The California Lottery has solidified its collaboration with International Game Technology PLC (IGT), securing a seven-year extension that promises to reshape the future landscape of the state’s lottery experience. 

California Lottery Chooses IGT’s OMNIA Lottery Solution for Unmatched Gaming

Under the freshly-inked contract, IGT’s subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, will be the primary technology provider for the California Lottery, marking a continuation of their fruitful partnership. This agreement allows for a potential extension until 2033, with the option of five additional one-year renewals.

The centerpiece of this collaboration is the adoption of IGT’s innovative cloud-based platform, seamlessly integrated into its OMNIA lottery solution. This move replaces the existing second-chance platform and extends to the migration of the lottery’s operational management tools and applications into the cloud. By doing so, the California Lottery aims to enhance flexibility, and reliability, and accelerate innovation, ultimately offering players an unparalleled gaming experience.

Jay Gendron, IGT chief operating officer, Global Lottery, highlighted: “IGT’s enhanced second-chance promotions platform will provide maximum flexibility for the California Lottery to create a variety of exciting promotional drawings and bonus capabilities for its players.” 

He further expressed the company’s commitment to driving increased sales for the California Lottery, ultimately supporting the state’s public schools.

IGT Will Keep Providing Uninterrupted Comprehensive Services

Beyond the technological upgrades, IGT will continue to provide comprehensive services to the California Lottery. This includes supporting and maintaining the central system, communications network, and managing over 140,000 point-of-sale hardware across 23,000 retailer locations. 

Additionally, IGT will offer instant-ticket games and services, field services, marketing, research capabilities, and call center support, ensuring a seamless gaming experience for players statewide.

This groundbreaking partnership reaffirms IGT’s position as a global leader, serving 25 lotteries in the US, eight of the world’s largest lotteries, and 16 of the world’s top 25 lotteries. The collaboration between IGT and the California Lottery promises a future where technology meets entertainment, setting the stage for an exciting era in the state’s gaming industry. 

Another major expansion in the US came with IGT securing an eight-year contract with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) to provide its iLottery gaming system and related components. The deal allowed CLC to offer online Keno and draw-based lottery games for the first time, including popular games like Lotto!, Cash5, Play3 with Wild Ball, and Play4 with Wild Ball.

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Tabcorp, an Australian gambling giant, has unveiled an extension to its digital content agreement with the Flutter-owned gambling company Sportsbet. Under the agreement, Sportsbet will be allowed to broadcast Sky Racing 1 and Sky Racing 2 live on its betting application and official website. Sky will serve as the exclusive provider of the deal.

As announced, the deal has been extended for 10 years, securing Sportsbet’s access to the Sky Racing service for a decade. The terms of the deal are more or less the same. The arrangement is expected to generate between AUD 30 million and 40 million by the end of FY 2024.

The deal comes after, in May, Tabcorp considered a bid for rights for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, one of the biggest racing events in Australia. The move caused some of Tabcorp’s competitors to drop out of the bidding.

One of the Most Significant Deals for Tabcorp

Addressing the current deal, Tabcorp’s managing director and chief executive officer, Adam Rytenskild, said that Sky is “the home of racing.” As such, the broadcaster attracts more bettors than any other channel in Australia and is a “major driver of racing wagering.”

According to Rytenskild, the extension of the deal cements Sky as a leading racing network.

With more than 150,000 races broadcast live around the world every year and the best team in Racing, the extension of this agreement recognizes Sky as one of the best and most valuable racing networks in the world.

Adam Rytenskild, CEO & MD, Tabcorp

The CEO added that the deal is also good news for racing clubs whose meetings will be followed by more people than ever before. He concluded that the agreement will extend one of Tabcrop’s most significant digital revenue streams for another 10 years.

Rytenskild concluded that his company continues to build momentum toward TAB25. The company’s robust pipeline will transform the racing sector with a new app, products and faster market speeds than ever before, the CEO added.

In other news, Sportsbet continues to double down on its marketing efforts in Australia ahead of a looming ban on sports betting ads. The company has invested millions in sports betting advertisements in H1 2023 alone.

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Kambi, a B2B provider of sports betting services, has extended its existing agreement with Rank Group, one of its most loyal partners. As a result, the former party will continue to leverage Kambi’s reliable sportsbook products and services.

Since 2016, Kambi has supplied Rank Group with a number of services, including tracking powered by artificial intelligence, a bet builder tool and a horse racing product.

Rank Group relies heavily on Kambi when it comes to sports betting, as attested by their long-standing partnership. In addition, Rank Group has launched three sports betting brands on the Kambi platform, including Grosvenor Sport, Enracha and the recently-launched Spanish sportsbook YoSports.

The agreement between Kambi and Rank Group comes two months after the former company extended its sportsbook partnership with LeoVegas, another big gambling and betting operator. Last month, the company also expanded in Brazil where it agreed to power the launch of Eyas Gaming’s Lance! Betting brand.

Rank Group Trusts Kambi When It Comes to Sports

Speaking of the extension of the partnership with Kambi, Rank Group’s director of sports, Tom Orton, said:

With Kambi’s support, we have driven 80% growth in our Grosvenor sportsbook revenues over the past 12 months and are excited about what this extended partnership has the capacity to deliver.

Tom Orton, director of sports, Rank Group

Orton added that Rank Group aspires to be fans’ sportsbook operator of choice. He believes that the partnership with Kambi will turn this dream into a reality.

Kambi’s co-founder and chief executive officer, Kristian Nylén, also expressed his thoughts on the arrangement. He said that his team is “very proud” to have solidified its partnership with Rank Group. According to Nylén, Kambi is looking forward to providing the operator’s outstanding sports betting brands with sportsbook content and solutions.

One of the gaming industry’s leading operators, Rank has long been a valued Kambi partner and we look forward to empowering their sports betting ambitions in the years to come with our complete sportsbook.

Kristian Nylén, co-founder & CEO, Kambi Group

In other news, Kambi recently published its Q2 results, demonstrating a strong performance across many metrics. The period was described as “encouraging” by the company, which managed to sign multiple agreements with tier-one partners.

Two months ago, Kambi solidified its presence in Sweden by securing a B2B permit, in line with the newly-introduced Swedish regulations for B2B companies.

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The European Cricket Network unveiled an extension of its partnership with iGaming and crypto betting giant Stake.com. As a result, the operator will serve as the official partner of the upcoming European Cricket Championship.

The event is set to take place between September 25 and October 20, 2023, in Malaga, Spain. It will feature 31 national teams from all over Europe and is expected to reach a daily audience surpassing 40 million viewers.

As agreed with the European Cricket Network, Stake.com’s brand will feature across the event, spreading awareness of the operator’s products. The sports body disclosed that it feels excited to once again team up with Stake.com and bring exciting cricket content to millions of fans all over the world.

Stake.com was founded in 2017 and quickly grew to become one of the biggest iGaming companies in the world. Boasting a deep passion for sports, Stake serves as the official partner of a number of sports leagues. For example, the operator serves as the main partner of Everton FC, as well as the official partner of the UFC and the co-title partner of the Alfa Romeo F1 Team.

More recently, the gambling juggernaut formed an alliance with the African Warriors Fighting Championship.

Stake Trusts the Upcoming Championship to Be an Exciting One

Stake’s sponsorship manager, Dominic Rae, commented on the agreement, sharing his team’s delight about the extension of the cricket partnership. Rae added that the upcoming event is likely to be the best edition of the European Cricket Championship yet.

With an increased number of national teams taking part, it promises to be an even better festival of cricket. We’re sure the tournament will be another resounding success for all involved.

Dominic Rae, sponsorship manager, Stake.com

Roger Feiner, the chief executive officer of the European Cricket League AG, also shared his thoughts on the agreement. He said that the success of last year’s partnership with Stake.com makes his company excited about the extension.

Feiner pointed out that Stake.com shares his team’s passion for innovation. The inherent synergies between the two parties will result in innovative activations and products for cricket fans.

We are particularly excited about our new evening matches for Stake.com that will be broadcasted primetime into the cricket key markets.

Roger Feiner, CEO, European Cricket League AG

In other cricket-related news, Fun88 India just selected the cricket legend Dale Steyn as its new brand ambassador.

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Gambling and betting giant bet365 has penned a partnership extension with Rightlander, a leading provider of innovative affiliate compliance solutions. The deal highlights the operator’s desire to promote safer gambling, as well as its commitment to high compliance standards.

Rightlander and be365 have worked together for some time with the former company providing its comprehensive cutting-edge compliance tools to the operator. The partnership has since become an important part of bet365’s affiliate program.

As agreed, Rightlander will continue to leverage its solutions to help bet365 maintain ethical advertising standards and navigate the complex regulatory landscape. Rightlander offers many advanced features and tech solutions that are designed to help bet365 and other partners remain compliant and stay in touch with regulatory changes.

In addition, the extended contract is expected to provide a boost to bet365’s compliance infrastructure while driving innovation in affiliate compliance within the iGaming sector. According to the official announcement, the partnership between the two parties will continue to be exemplary for industry standards of affiliate compliance.

The extended agreement highlights the two companies’ desire to promote safer gambling.

Last year, Rightlander announced a new partnership with the international affiliate marketing network Tradedoubler, expanding its global reach. In October 2022, the company updated its library of solutions with a new marketing compliance tool.

The Companies Are Happy to Deepen Their Ties

Nicole Mitton, Rightlander’s head of customer success, commented on the partnership extension. She said that she is thrilled by the opportunity to continue working with the operator and deepen its relationship with her company.

According to Mitton, the new agreement underscores the effectiveness of Rightlander’s tools.

This renewed agreement is a testament to the effectiveness of our compliance solutions, and we look forward to continuing to help bet365 promote responsible gambling and adhere to regulatory requirements.

Nicole Mitton, head of customer success, Rightlander

A spokesperson from bet365 also commented on the matter, saying that they are very excited to renew the operator’s contract with Rightlander. The representative applauded the solutions provider’s comprehensive compliance solution, which has become “an integral part” of bet365’s affiliate program.

The extended partnership reinforces our commitment to responsible gambling and our dedication to providing a secure and fair environment for all our customers.

Bet365 spokesperson

In other news, bet365 just launched a new fantasy game together with Scout Gaming. A few days earlier, the company unleashed “Unleash the Mercenary,” a brand new casino title developed in partnership with Incentive Games. 

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Clarion Gaming has announced an extension of its important partnership with the European Casino Association (ECA), a European trade body for land-based casino companies. As announced, the new deal will run through 2029.

Under the agreement, the ECA will continue to host the International Casino Conference (ICC) at ICE, Clarion’s annual trade exhibition. As usual, the conference will launch a day before the main ICE show and will welcome casino leaders from all around the world.

The event is attended by major stakeholders of big companies and executives of some of the best casino operators. As before, the VIP representatives will discuss the latest developments in the sector and the future of the industry as a whole.

For reference, the ICC is a part of the ICE VOX conference and networking program.

The Two Parties Are Delighted to Extend their Alliance

Alex Pratt, Clarion Gaming’s group managing director, commented on the agreement with the ECA, saying that it is an important partner of Clarion. According to him, the association’s presence is integral to ICE, with the ICC being one of the most important events for land-based casino companies.

Pratt attributed some of ICE’s growth to the presence of the ECA and its members at the event.

The fact that ICE continues to grow and continues to attract international thought leaders, influencers and senior buyers is due in no small part to the contributions made by the ECA and its members.

Alex Pratt, group managing director, Clarion Gaming

Stuart Hunter, Clarion Gaming’s managing director, also shared his thoughts on the matter, underlining the importance of working with the industry. He said that the cornerstone of ICE’s philosophy is the provision of the “very best professional business environment” for all of the verticals that Clarion serves.

Finally, Erwin van Lambaart, chair of the European Casino Association, said that his party is delighted to continue this partnership. He described the deal with Clarion as an alliance that his team deeply cherishes.

Since its foundation, this collaboration has consistently contributed to the growth and prosperity of the land-based casino industry, supporting the European Casino Association’s efforts to be the voice of the European industry at the national, regional and EU level.

Erwin van Lambaart, chair, ECA

Van Lambaart was elected as chair of the association earlier this year, following Per Jaldung’s departure from the position. Back then, van Lambaart promised that he will work with ECA’s members, board and partners on the priorities for the future work of the association – a sentiment reflected in the current deal extension with Clarion.

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Mixed martial arts organization, UFC, and online sports betting and gaming operator, bet365, announced their sports betting partnership in the UK and Ireland has been extended and will continue for a third consecutive year.

Shared Vision of Innovation and Creativity

The newly-extended partnership under which bet365 will continue as the Official Sportsbook Partner of UFC  in the UK and Ireland will also expand to other EU territories, including Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

“bet365 have been such a great partner over the years,” commented UFC vice president of Global Partnerships, Nicholas Smith, highlighting the operator’s commitment to “growing the sport of MMA by creating bespoke and educational content” and the shared “vision of innovation and creativity to deliver fans and customers the best experience possible.”

As part of the renewed partnership, bet365 will provide exciting new features to enhance the betting experience, including Bet Builder which allows the combination of multiple betting markets into a single bet.

As an official partner of UFC, IMG ARENA will also introduce enhancements to the bet365 app and website, launching the UFC’s official data feed and in-screen live streaming of UFC bouts to elevate the betting experience during all UFC events.

Elevating the UFC Betting Experience

A spokesperson for bet365 expressed contentment at the renewed partnership with UFC for a third consecutive year, hyping 2023 as the “biggest and most exciting year” for customers that will see the launch of two new enhancements.

From UFC 290: VOLKANOVSKI vs RODRIGUEZ this weekend, our customers will be able to bet on UFC via our market-leading Bet Builder product, and existing customers will also be offered live streaming for UFC events as an in-app feature.

bet365 spokesperson

The Stoke-on-Trent-based operator will also continue to present exclusive previews, analysis and demonstrations of MMA techniques and holds via its UFC-dedicated channel on YouTube, One on One, featuring UFC commentator, Laura Sanko, as well as present additional UFC content within the MMA section of the bet365 Sports & Betting News website.

The news of the extended partnership with bet365 comes ahead of the heavyweight battle between Brit Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura scheduled to take place on July 22 at The O2 Arena in London, marking the return of UFC to the capital.

Denise Coates’ bet365 will also continue to be the presenting partner for the Cage Warriors playlist on UFC FIGHT PASS and the series on Dana White’s social channels, If You Don’t Know, Now You Know.

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