Canadian information technology company Intema Solutions has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to become a fully registered operator of online gaming and sports betting in Ontario.
The announcement comes after the Canadian government enacted Bill C-218 earlier in August. The act gave each of Canada’s provincial and territorial governments authority to conduct and manage single-event sports betting in their respective provinces.
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According to the release, Ontario is the first province to accept registration applications from prospective operators. The province published its draft standards for regulated online betting and gaming markets soon after Canada legalized single-event wagering.
Laurent Benezra, President and CEO of Intema, spoke on the announcement: “With the acquisitions of HypeX.gg and Team BH in 2021 and the pending acquisition of LOOT.BET, it is critical for our followers and our customers to have access to our growing array of esports and iGaming products and services in regulated markets worldwide.
“Apart from being Canada’s most populous province, Ontario has taken a leading role in regulating online gaming practices, which bodes very well for newly licensed companies in this large potential market. In addition to the AGCO application, our Isle of Man gaming license application has been formally accepted for review in October, and we plan to apply for other licenses in select regulated markets around the world so that our secure esports and gaming platforms become available to all.”
In order to secure its position in the esports betting market, Intema Solutions has previously signed a letter of intent to acquire Livestream Gaming Ltd, the owner of esports betting platform LOOT.BET. The transaction will see Intema acquire all issued and outstanding Livestream securities for $14.75m (~£11m).
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Founded in 1994, Intema Solutions is a publicly-traded holding company that specialises in holding technological businesses in various technology sectors. Besides offering a suite of marketing and email services, the company has recently expanded to the esports and gaming industries.
Esports Insider says: With the acquisition of LOOT.BET in process, Intema Solutions seems to be well prepared to expand its business and become a major player in online esports betting. Becoming a fully registered operator of online gaming and sports betting in Ontario will only bolster the firm’s ambitions.