GME3: Ontario’s iGaming Jackpot, State-Side Privacy Palooza, and a Threads Influencer Goldrush

This week in the GME3, we look at iGaming Ontario’s Market Performance Report (the results are looking good for Canadian regulated gaming), a barrage of new privacy laws are coming into effect in the US, and influencers are taking advantage of the new opportunities provided by Meta’s Threads. Read on to learn more!

Gambling

Ontario’s iGaming Jackpot 

iGaming Ontario has released its 2023-24 Q1 Market Performance Report and Ontario’s regulated gaming market is looking strong, stable, and competitive. 

Comparing Ontario’s current gambling market to the first quarter of last year:

• The total handle (the amount of money wagered by bettors) has risen from $4.076 billion to $14 billion,

• Total online gambling revenue has increased from $162 million to $545 million,

• The number of active player accounts has jumped from 492,000 to 920,000, and

• The average monthly spend per active player account has increased from $113 to $197.

Of the $14 billion wagered this year, $11.6 billion came from iGaming (table games, slot machines). Dave Briggs from playcanada.com did a great write-up comparing Ontario’s sports betting market to some of America’s larger jurisdictions. Based on sports betting handle, Ontario is currently the fifth-largest regulated jurisdiction in North America, trailing New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Nevada (and considering Ontario’s numbers don’t include sports betting handle from “Proline,” Ontario’s provincially operated sports betting website, Ontario may be ranked even higher). Ontario also has the most gambling operators of any jurisdiction in North America.

Ontario’s regulated gaming market has grown significantly in its first year. If you’re considering expanding your business to Ontario as an operator or supplier, reach out to Jack and he’ll advise on the market landscape and registration process.

Media

State-Side Privacy Palooza

Five US states have introduced new privacy legislation in 2023. California’s Privacy Rights Act, the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, the Connecticut Data Privacy Act, and Colorado Privacy Act are already in effect, and the Utah Consumer Privacy Act will be enacted by December of this year.

All of these new laws aim to protect consumer information. They all offer consumers the right to access, delete, and opt out of data collection and storage. All except Utah’s Consumer Privacy Act will give consumers the right to correct their existing information.

The main difference between these pieces of legislation is how they apply to different organizations. There are different criteria that businesses must meet to fall under the jurisdiction of these laws, including revenue thresholds, jurisdiction, and the number of consumers that use their services. Read the table available here to learn more about whether these laws will apply to your business.

If your business operates and collects user data in one or more of these states, it could be a challenge to keep track of shifting legal requirements. Reach out to our privacy expert Zack Pearlstein; he can help answer any questions you may have!

Entertainment

Threads Influencer Goldrush

Brands are beginning to bring influencer marketing to Meta’s new Twitter (or X) competitor Threads. Within days of the platform’s launch brands and influencers started posting paid and sponsored content. While there are no hashtags on Threads, there are other methods of bringing attention to specific brands – affiliate links from websites like LTK and Amazon are abundant. It’s important for influencers to keep in mind that they still need to disclose a material connection to any brand they are promoting even without the ability to hashtag on Threads. Read our recent article on some recent changes to the FTC Guide Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.

This new platform marks a rare opportunity for influencers to expand their audiences and come up with creative new ways to market themselves and their sponsors’ products. Meta seems eager to turn Threads into an advertising powerhouse along the lines of Instagram and is working on introducing content tools beyond the basics (likes, replies, and shares).

If you’re an influencer looking to expand your brand or make a name for yourself in the first place, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunities that you can find on a brand-new platform like Threads.