Gambling Weekly News Summary in Canada – 2026/01/31
Circa Releases New Initiative to Bring Canadians Back to Las Vegas
A chain of Las Vegas casinos is trying to bring Canadian tourists back to Sin City, this time with a new deal making Canadian Dollars equivalent to US dollars.
The new “At Par” initiative will run across three Las Vegas casinos, Circa Resort and Casino, The D Las Vegas, and Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, until August 31, 2026, across gaming, hotel, and beverages.
Under the deal, guests will receive US$1 for every CA$1 spent, regardless of exchange rates, far above the current rate of around CA$0.72 per US$1.
For gaming, offers include up to CA$500 in slot play, which is treated as full US value, at all three venues. At check-in, Canadian guests will pay the amount shown in US dollars in Canadian dollars, with no exchange rate, and the deals will also be valid at select bars on the properties, including BarCanada at the D Las Vegas.
Manitoba Looks to Expand Video Lottery Terminals in the Province
Manitoba’s gambling regulator, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, is looking at a possible expansion of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the province after eight years.
Speaking at a legislative committee last week, the regulator’s CEO, Gerry Sul, said they had received nearly 30 requests to purchase additional VLTs. Sul also added that the regulator had yet to explore the requests due to the former suspension on gambling expansion, which was lifted in 2023 by NDP Premier Wab Kinew.
As requests were submitted prior to and during the suspension, the NDP minister responsible for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Glen Simard, said the regulator’s next task was to determine whether there was still demand for additional VLTs. It was also revealed that proposals asking for more VLTs came from First Nation communities.
“We’re basically getting back in touch with these requests and getting a more comprehensive idea … if their community’s approach is similar,” Simard said. “Chief and council in one community may disagree with the previous administration’s request or approach.”
The province currently owns over 6,700 VLTs that are regulated and maintained by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Venues that host the terminals can keep between 17.5 and 22% of revenue generated from the machines, while Veterans’ organizations are allowed 30% and First Nations 90%.
Kindbridge and High Roller Technologies Sign Letter of Intent to Offer Pathways for Self-Excluded Ontario Residents
Operator of online casinos, High Roller Technologies, has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Kindbridge Behavioural Health to extend its commitment to responsible gambling in Ontario.
The partnership would include providing pathways for Ontario players who choose to self-exclude from online gaming on the next steps they can take.
Players will be offered education, a guided triage process, options to connect with peer support, and, when appropriate, the opportunity to license Canadian clinicians.
Daniel Umfleet, Founder & CEO of Kindbridge Behavioral Health, said, “We’re proud to work with High Roller to expand access to specialized clinicians and evidence-based resources, supporting healthier outcomes for players and more effective responsible gambling frameworks.”
Kindbridge offers early intervention programs across North America through a number of gaming operators to ensure support for at-risk individuals. With its stepped care approach, individuals can access the service when they feel ready, with continued access based on their needs.
Ziv (Steve) Chen
CEO at Major League Content
Ziv has been working in the iGaming industry for more than two decades, serving in senior roles in software developers like Playtech and Microgaming. He then followed his lifelong passion of writing and became a fulltime journalist, covering casinos, sports betting, legislation and other gambling topics and news with a specialty in North America.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziv-steve-chen-94b01b5/
