Inspired ‘couldn’t be more excited’ to join Ontario gaming market

Rightlander has become the latest to mark its Ontario intentions as the company launches its suite of products and services in the province. 

Inspired Entertainment has become the latest supplier to gain a licence to enter the Canadian province of Ontario, just one week after the group voiced confidence in achieving its North American igaming growth ambitions.

The company is slating the second quarter of the current year as the timeframe for the launch of its entire portfolio, after receiving a gaming-related supplier licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

This Canadian growth, which will build on a partnership that the group already boasts in a neighbouring region alongside Loto-Quebec, sees Inspired become authorised to offer its games to AGCO approved operators. 

Subsequently, those that service market will be able to utilise 25 games that will be certified in time for launch, including titles such as Big Spin Bonus, Big Fishing Fortune and retro classic Space Invaders.

In January, the launch date for Ontario’s regulated igaming market was given a revised opening date of April 4, after it was originally expected to be operational in December, 2021.

Claire Osborne, VP of Interactive at Inspired, commented: “Ontario’s igaming market officially opens to licensed operators on April 4, 2022, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the newly regulated igaming market.  

“With a population of nearly 15 million people, Ontario’s demographics compare favourably to states like New Jersey or Michigan where we already operate. 

“We expect Ontario to present a significant market opportunity for us, and we look forward to players in Ontario enjoying our games.”

Last week, Inspired asserted that it was focussed on a forward pipeline of growth opportunities across the Americas and Europe, with Ontario and Connecticut pinpointed as particular regions of target.

This came as the group reported a seven per cent decline in revenue through the past year’s fourth quarter to $67m (2020: $71.7m), which it said was due to “a $32.5m payment from a UK LBO customer related to our contractual revenue share of the customer’s value added tax rebate”.

Without this, Q4 revenue was said to have secured a 71 per cent uptick from $39.2m, driven by continued momentum and strong demand throughout all business lines.