British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has hailed its partners at OpenBet after launching its PlayNow.com brand into Saskatchewan.
The state-owned corporation entered the Canadian province last November after striking an agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and SaskGaming.
SIGA was subsequently named as operator of the brand in Saskatchewan and, alongside BCLC, has now brought in OpenBet to deliver its omni-channel Player Account Management platform and sports betting technology.
Zane Hansen, President and CEO at SIGA, commented: “When introducing the first legal online sports betting and gaming platform in Saskatchewan, we wanted to work alongside a technology partner that was highly experienced in operating within regulated markets.
“OpenBet’s platform, through BCLC’s PlayNow.com brand, was the perfect choice given their track-record of success with WLA partners and their commitment to player health and responsible gaming.”
This latest agreement builds upon a long-standing partnership between the global betting entertainment provider and BCLC, who provided SIGA with the province’s first legal, regulated online sports betting and gaming platform.
OpenBet has committed to offering ‘safe and secure online gaming and betting entertainment’ for players in Saskatchewan via its safer gambling tools.
Dan Beebe, COO at BCLC, said: “OpenBet’s unrivalled platform technology provides us with the confidence to take our PlayNow.com brand into provinces beyond British Columbia.
“We have enjoyed significant growth in Manitoba in recent years, and believe we are well positioned to enjoy similar success in Saskatchewan with a similar model.”
The deal is the latest lottery-involved one undertaken by OpenBet after the firm clinched a new agreement with the Danish state-owned lottery operator Danske Spil last October.
Cathryn Lai, COO at OpenBet, added: “Congratulations to SIGA and BCLC on bringing regulated sports betting and igaming to Saskatchewan. Now, players have an opportunity to enjoy best-in-class betting entertainment in a safe and secure environment through the renowned PlayNow brand.
“We are enormously proud of our contribution to regulated gaming and betting in Canada and adding a fifth province to our ecosystem, alongside our activity in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec, means more players will have access to the great experiences offered by BCLC on PlayNow.
“BCLC has been fundamental to our success in Canada and our collaboration on product and technology remains a blueprint for quality partnerships with operators. It’s also great to welcome SIGA to the OpenBet family, and we are excited to start a new partnership with such an innovative operator.”