Interactive
Canada – GTech to create North America’s first government-regulated interactive bingo network
By Phil - 24 June 2014
GTech’s subsidiary GTech Sweden Interactive AB has entered into an agreement with the Societé des Lotteries du Québec (Loto-Québec) and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) to provide interactive bingo software, games, and related services to these Canadian lotteries through June 2018.
The contract represents North America’s first government-regulated interactive bingo network.
Under the four-year agreement, which includes two, two-year options for extensions, GTech will host from its Montreal, Canada Data Center, while associated live chat and call center services are based at its National Operations Center in Toronto, Canada.
On May 14, 2014, BCLC updated and launched new interactive bingo games on its PlayNow.com site. Through a separate agreement between BCLC and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, PlayNow.com and its content are also available to Manitoba residents. Loto- Québec’s Espacejeux.com site, available in both French and English, has been providing interactive bingo games to Quebec residents since June 12.
Jaymin Patel, President and CEO, GTech Americas, said:“GTech is proud to launch another industry first with Loto-Québec and BCLC in the government-sponsored interactive space in North America. The Canadian Bingo Network will ensure that players have a legal, safe and fun experience, and that proceeds from interactive bingo in these Canadian provinces will remain in their communities.”
GTech’s games provided through this agreement, including the Canadian debut of PopCap Games’ Plants vs. Zombies Bingo, are only available to adult residents of British Columbia, Manitoba and Québec. The network offers a full range of responsible gaming control and prevention measures. BCLC has been a valued GTECH customer since 1985, while GTech has supplied Société des loteries vidéo du Québec (SLVQ), a subsidiary of Loto-Québec, with VideoLottery Terminals (VLTs) since 1995.
In December 2010, GTECH and Loto-Québec successfully launched the first regulated online poker network in North America, with BCLC joining in 2011. World Lottery Association members Svenska Spel in Sweden and Norsk Tipping in Norway are also among GTech’s interactive bingo platform and services customers.
