Wizard Games rolls out iGaming content in newly regulated Ontario market; goes live with Scandinavian operator Paf

Further expanding its presence in North America, Gibraltar-based Wizard Games, the in-house studio launched by Aspire Global’s Pariplay in November 2021, has rolled out its iGaming content in Ontario‘s newly regulated market, after the leading aggregator and content provider [Pariplay] was awarded a gaming-related supplier license for the Canadian province late last month.

Having been given the nod from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the casino games studio’s entire portfolio of more than 120 titles, including those already popular with players, Rumble Rhino Megaways, Wolf Riches, and the Game of Thrones-themed, Dragons of the North, is currently live in Ontario with tier-one operators BetMGM and 888casino.  The developer’s content will reportedly be made available to additional operators over the next few days.

New audience:

Via company press release Joey Hurtado, Managing Director for Wizard Games, commented on the Ontario launch…

“Our games are performing very well across North America and our entry into the highly promising Ontario market represents the latest step on our growth journey. Together with our leading operator partners, we are excited to embark on this journey, delivering engaging and entertaining content to a brand new audience.”

Integration of the studio’s game portfolio was carried out via Pariplay, whose successful Fusion platform aggregates thousands of titles from the iGaming industry’s most recognized studios, such as Quickspin, Evolution Gaming, iSoftBet, NetEnt and Microgaming, in addition to its proprietary games.

What once was:

Canada‘s most populous province opened its new iGaming market to private gaming operators on April 4th. Prior to the official launch, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC), which is owned by the Government of Ontario, enjoyed a monopoly on legal online slots, video poker, blackjack, and roulette, and sports betting too with its PROLINE+ online sportsbook, made possible when single-game betting was made legal in Canada.

Growing market advance:

Wizard Games has made quick work of establishing its slots across key European markets, including in Italy with NetBet and most recently with international gaming company Paf for the Scandinavian countries of Estonia, Spain, Latvia and Sweden. Aspire Global’s Pariplay partnered with the Nordic firm in March 2021, with the agreement giving it access to 14,000-plus games on its trademarked Fusion platform.

The Gibraltar studio‘s games are also proving popular with players in another Canadian province, Alberta, and in West Virginia and New Jersey, where, courtesy of Pariplay’s breakthrough agreement with long-standing partner 888casino back in November 2019, marked Aspire Global’s debut into the regulated U.S. market. That was followed by another milestone in Pariplay’s expansion strategy, when in January 2021, the content and aggregator provider was granted a full iGaming supplier license in the eastern U.S. state of West Virginia, and a provisional license in Michigan a year later.

Earlier this year, Pariplay inked a deal with NeoPollard Interactive LLC (NPI) that saw it supply its content to the only regulated online gambling site in Alberta, Play Alberta, which is regulated by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

Last month, Aspire Global obtained the Gaming Labs International “Interactive-Gaming-Systems” certification standard GLI-19, which enabled it to launch its PAM (Player Account Management) platform and managed services to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Paf collaboration:

The Ontario rollout comes on the heels of Wizard Games’ launch with Scandinavian operator Paf, with more than 100 titles, such as those mentioned above, as well as more recently released creations Jade King, 12 Super Hot Diamonds and Teddy’s Tavern, now available in those Nordic countries listed earlier.

Once again, commenting for Wizard Games, Hurtado said, Paf is a “market-leader in responsibility and ensuring its customers get the very best experience.” The managing director added that they are “delighted” to partner with the gaming company, and their portfolio “brings something fresh and new to the industry” and they look forward to working together to “further enhance” the reach of their content.

Meanwhile …

“Wizard Games is a hugely exciting brand with dynamic themes, exciting math models and an ambitious roadmap so this is a partnership we think aligns perfectly,” read a statement from Eric Castro, Head of Content Casino & Games at Paf.

Licensed in Estonia, Spain, Latvia and Sweden, the deal significantly extends the game studio’s reach.