Prepare to be inspired, Québec.
Online gambling content provider, Inspired Entertainment, has launched its first exclusive offering to the French-speaking province via its Pharaon Réaction game.
The online lottery product is available on the Loto-Québec online gaming website and app and was custom-made for Quebecers.
According to Brooks Pierce, president and COO at Inspired, in a press release:
“We are thrilled to debut our first entry into the burgeoning iLottery market. Pharaon Réaction highlights our ability to make customized content for lotteries that uses the mechanics of our top-performing retail and online games, appeals to lottery players and elevates current iLottery offerings.”
Partnership results in online lottery title, Pharaon Réaction
Loto-Québec and Inspired have been partners since July 2019.
At the time, the pair signed a three-year deal.
The contract – among other things – allowed Inspired to incorporate its online casino content into Loto-Québec’s online gaming website, Espacejeux.
However, in 2021 the pair restructured the deal.
Under the new terms, Inspired could include its digital lottery games on Loto-Québec’s website AND app. That manifested in Pharaon Réaction. The title – unique to Quebecers – has the game mechanics of another Inspired game, Scarab’s Treasures.
Fruit Drop Scatterdrops – rebranded as Explosion de fruits reaction – is also expected to launch in Québec later this year.
Anne-Marie Voyer, director of lottery products and development at Loto-Québec, said it’s a good match.
“Inspired’s diverse range of iGaming content has resonated well with our player base, and we are looking forward to collaborating with them on future digital lottery games.”
Inspired’s VLTs in high demand in Western Canadian casinos
Outside of Québec, Inspired has been active in other parts of Canada as well.
In 2021 the Western Canada Lottery Corporation – acting on behalf of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority – called on Inspired to provide 100 video lottery terminals.
Marketed as Valor premium cabinets, the VLTs were an immediate hit. So much so that the WCLC requested an additional 700 units in April 2022.
The terminals should arrive by the end of the year, and the release of new VLT features will continue throughout 2022 and 2023.
Eric Karmark, WCLC vice president, has been “impressed” by the launch thus far.
“’Valor’ has had strong comparative performance and we appreciate the depth and quality of the new and existing game styles, which we believe will offer an exciting and varied experience to Saskatchewan VLT players.”
Inspired licensed in Ontario for online casino and lottery
In Canada’s largest – and most talked-about – market, Ontario, Inspired already has its feet wet.
The American-based company received its gaming-related supplier license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario in March 2022.
The designation allows the business to offer its games (25 in total) through AGCO-approved operators.
Some of Inspired’s main attractions include:
- Big Spin Bonus
- Big Fishing Fortune
- Space Invaders (retro classic)
Initially, the content provider said it planned to launch its gaming products in Ontario in the second quarter of 2022.
According to Claire Osborne, vice president of interactive at Inspired:
“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.”
Inspired expands portfolio in Canada online gambling
Headquartered in New York, Inspired operates in over 35 international jurisdictions.
Its portfolio includes:
- Gaming content
- Gaming technology
- Hardware
- Services for regulated gaming
But Inspired’s products – including virtual sports and interactive games – also reach across various niches. Considering that, it will be interesting to see how impactful the brand can be in Canada.
According to its website, the company already provides gaming systems and content for roughly 500,000 gaming machines globally.