New Casino Licenses Advance in Key Jurisdictions

Key Takeaways

• Regulatory approvals in South Africa and Canada signal accelerated market access for established operators entering new venues.
• Enhanced compliance standards in Ontario emphasize financial integrity and player protection, shaping operator strategies.
• White-label partnerships facilitate rapid launches in competitive European markets, boosting innovation in platform delivery.

Tsogo Sun Secures Relocation Approval for Somerset West Casino

The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board granted Tsogo Sun Casinos regulatory approval on 29 September 2025 to relocate its existing Caledon casino license to Somerset West, enabling the development of a new integrated casino and hospitality venue. Tsogo Sun, South Africa's largest gaming operator with a portfolio spanning 14 properties under its parent company, Tsogo Sun Gaming Limited, will invest approximately ZAR 1.2 billion (approximately €60 million) in the project. The move addresses declining footfall at the aging Caledon site while tapping into Somerset West's growing affluent population in the Western Cape province.

This approval aligns with South Africa's National Gambling Act of 2004, which permits license relocations under strict economic viability assessments. The new facility, slated for a Q4 2026 launch, will feature 500 slot machines, 20 table games, and a 200-room hotel, positioning Tsogo Sun against regional competitors like Sun International. For players, it promises enhanced amenities, including responsible gambling integration via mandatory self-exclusion tools and spend limits. Regulators are expected to benefit from projected ZAR 150 million in annual tax contributions, while stakeholders anticipate job creation for 800 residents. This relocation underscores a trend toward venue modernization in mature African markets, ensuring sustained revenue amid economic pressures.

Source: Global Gaming Business

Ontario iGaming Regulators Impose Stricter 2025 Compliance Rules

iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) unveiled updated regulatory requirements on September 28, 2025, mandating enhanced financial integrity, KYC/AML protocols, responsible gambling tools, cybersecurity measures, and data privacy standards for all licensed operators. These rules, effective January 1, 2026, build on Ontario's 2022 iGaming liberalization, which has generated over CAD 2 billion in private-sector revenue. Non-compliance risks license revocation or fines of up to CAD 500,000, targeting the 50+ registered operators, including Bet365 and PointsBet.

The framework responds to a 15% rise in player registrations since 2024, emphasizing proactive harm prevention through mandatory AI-driven behavioral monitoring and mandatory deposit caps. Parent companies, often headquartered in Malta or Gibraltar, are now required to submit quarterly audits to AGCO, promoting transparency in a market projected to reach CAD 5 billion by 2027. Players benefit from enhanced protections, such as seamless self-exclusion across platforms, while regulators intensify oversight to curb illicit activity. Industry stakeholders view this as a blueprint for sustainable growth, influencing similar updates in other Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia, where iGaming pilots are underway.

Source: Casino VVV

DirectBe Partners with Aristocrat for Dual European Site Launches

DirectBe announced on October 2, 2025, a strategic white-label partnership with Aristocrat Technologies, deploying the provider's full casino and sportsbook platform to launch Playwins and Betfusion, two new online gambling sites targeting the UK and Malta markets. Aristocrat, a Gibraltar-based subsidiary of Australia's Aristocrat Leisure Limited with over 3,000 global titles, supplies the backend infrastructure, including HTML5-optimized games and payment gateways compliant with UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) standards. DirectBe, a Curaçao-registered aggregator, handles front-end branding and marketing.

The launches, scheduled for November 2025, mark DirectBe's entry into regulated European jurisdictions, leveraging Aristocrat's aggregation of over 100 suppliers for diverse slot and live dealer offerings. This partnership addresses market entry barriers like high compliance costs, estimated at €200,000 per site, amid a 12% YoY growth in Europe's €30 billion iGaming sector. Players will access geo-fenced responsible gambling features, including reality checks and affiliate-linked self-exclusion. For regulators, it ensures vetted tech stacks reduce fraud risks. Stakeholders benefit from faster time-to-market, signaling a surge in white-label models that lower barriers for new entrants while intensifying competition against incumbents, such as Entain.

Source: Slot Speak

Alberta Advances iGaming Act Toward 2026 Market Liberalization

Alberta's Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) passed the iGaming Alberta Act on September 30, 2025, paving the way for the launch of a regulated online casino market in mid-2026, following Ontario's model, which features private operators under public oversight. The legislation, sponsored by Alberta Gaming Minister Mickey Amery, establishes a framework for up to 20 licensed platforms, with a focus on land-based partnerships with the province's 16 casinos. Ownership will blend local firms, such as Gateway Casinos, backed by international groups like Apollo Global Management, with strict rules requiring 51% Canadian equity.

Projected to generate CAD 300 million in initial annual revenue, the act mandates robust RG commitments, including mandatory affordability checks and integration with Canada's national self-exclusion database. Amid Alberta's oil-driven economy, this diversification counters tourism dips, competing with unregulated offshore sites that capture 40% of the local market share. Players anticipate secure, localized experiences with CAD-focused payments, while regulators enforce 20% GGR taxes for community reinvestment. For industry players, it opens a CAD 1 billion opportunity by 2028, exemplifying Canada's phased federal-provincial approach to iGaming expansion.

Source: iGaming Business