Growth is a constant in Canada's gambling industry and in this issue of our weekly news update, we'll take a look at some of the more interesting developments from the past few days.
New Games
Cash and Conquest with Relax
Relax gaming is on a hot streak of late. The developer recently secured a content deal with Peter & Sons and has unleashed yet another thrilling jackpot-infused online slot to an eager market.
Volatile Vikings 2 Dream Drop is a Nordic-themed 6-reel title with a top possible prize of 10 000x your stake. Set down your tankard in an ale-filled tavern and watch the riches roll in with gameplay that bristles with bonus features and the compelling Dream Drop progressive jackpot. Grim wooden Viking visages appear as symbols alongside runes and barrels of ale.
The cascading reels mechanic makes winning symbol clusters disappear as they are formed, leaving room for more to land in their place. The game's Multiplier Reveal mechanic causes each spin to start with two Multiplier Reveal symbols on reels 3 and 4, each of which has a counter and multiplier. The number on the counter reduces by one with each winning cascade; when the counter hits zero, the multiplier takes effect.
Get into the bonus round by landing at least three scatters to claim a minimum of 6 free spins. When the Multiplier Reveal feature activates, its value is added to a persistent multiplier that is applied at the end of every spin.
The Dream Drop Jackpot is a randomly triggered event where a mini-game can award you amazing prizes, with the most coveted being the Mega jackpot that seeds at $500 000.
Simon Hammon, the CEO at Relax Gaming, said,
"We're delighted to introduce the world to the third game in our highly anticipated Dream Drop series, Volatile Vikings 2 Dream Drop. Players absolutely loved the original Volatile Vikings for its gripping features and mechanics, so throwing a progressive jackpot into the mix is certainly going to be great cause for excitement."
Pragmatic's Tropical Destination
Pragmatic Play's most recent online slot adventure is an escape to the wilderness of a tropical island where mystical forces wait to fill your pockets with amazing rewards. The new slot is called Tropical Tiki and features grinning and grimacing traditional moai masks as powerful symbols that pave your way to riches.
The 3x6 reels also feature exotic fruits and are bordered by flaming torches and lush jungle surroundings. The game's mysterious atmosphere is enhanced by the unique reverse-tumbling reels mechanic that removes all non-winning symbols from the reels after a winning spin, allowing a mass of new symbols to appear and possibly triggering more wins.
Land Four or more golden moai scatters to receive 8 free spins where the reels will expand to a 6x5 configuration for up to 6400 ways to win.
Tropical Tiki is the latest in a streak of successful releases for Pragmatic Play, following the introduction of recent titles like Cosmic Cash and Bomb Bonanza.
Yossi Barzely, the Chief Business Development Officer at Pragmatic Play, said,
"Tropical Tiki brings a genuinely creative and unique concept with our reverse tumbling reels mechanics. Coupled with a fun, island vacation-style theme, it brings an interesting theme to players while also ensuring any spin can lead to a huge max win of 3,000x as the symbols keep falling!"
Winners
Sweet Slot Surprise
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation's (BCLC) PlayNow.com platform has produced yet another major winner. Angie Lovell was trying her luck at the mobile-exclusive Odds of the Gods slot game when she was stunned by a whopping $992k progressive jackpot win.
The BCLC regulates all gambling and lottery activity within the borders of British Columbia, and its PlayNow platform is the only regulated gaming website available to residents.
Lovell shared her delight at being a big winner when she collected her cheque at a BCLC office. She said she had been out at her trailer on the Shuswap when she was suddenly inspired to access PlayNow.com from her mobile device before going home, only to become the recipient of a small fortune.
The winner said that she planned to use the money to help her children out, purchase a new vehicle, pay off her mortgage, and plot a comfortable retirement.
Breaking Routines Getting Big Wins
Timothy Lewis from Kentville, N.S is a regular Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 player, but a diversion from his usual behaviour saw him claim the biggest possible instant win prize in the province after he decided to try his hand at the Atlantic Lottery Corporation's (ALC) Set for Life Scratch'N game.
Winning the top prize comes with the choice of receiving $1,000 every week for 25 years or receiving the lump sum of $675,000.
The winner intends to use the money to settle his mortgage and admitted that he and his wife have their eye on a new SUV, while their kids are sure to get the iPhones and cars they've been waiting patiently for.
Local Casino News
Nova Scotia Enters a new Casino Era
After an extended campaign of pressure from the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), Nova Scotia has finally launched its online casino. The province's Finance Minister, Allan MacMaster, recently announced the launch of the platform, which is accessible via the lottery corp's website.
MacMaster made the new platform's introduction, saying, "We just wanted to put it out there. It's up and running now, and it's there for people who want to play."
The minister revealed that the decision to go ahead was reached after months of discussions with his cabinet colleague Brian Comer, the minister tasked with tackling addictions and mental health.
MacMaster acknowledged the explosion of the popularity and availability of online gambling, admitting, "People are gaming on sites quite literally from just about anywhere in the world."
A locally based operation gives Nova Scotia residents access to a safe and secure online gambling platform. The website also allows players access to play-wise tools, which allow for the setting of time and money limits.
According to a Finance Department spokesperson, the website is projected to generate $10 million in its first year, but MacMaster explained that providing a safe environment was the primary motivation for launching the platform.
"What really drove it was the fact that it's out there," he said. "It exists without us and if we have a presence, well at least maybe we can protect people and recoup some of the money that's leaving our province," he said.
Jobs on the Cards at Gateway Casino
Cascades Casino Delta is poised for its grand launch in BC, and there is good news for anyone looking for a job.
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment recently announced that it would host a series of online career fairs on the Indeed platform as it seeks to fill up to 600 positions for its new venue.
The casino will launch in the fall of 2022 and offer a vast selection of cutting-edge gaming technology and a premium selection of dining options.
The operator's Vice President of Operations for BC West, Rowland England, explained that creating an unforgettable experience for patrons means hiring individuals who share the company's passion and dedication to extraordinary customer service.
The positions to be filled include dealers, dealer supervisors, slot attendants and slot supervisors for the gaming floor. The company is looking for representatives and supervisors in the guest services category, while the security department needs security officers and supervisors. If you're good with money, cashier and count team member positions are also open. At the same time, cooks, an assistant chef, a sous chef, and a chef, as well as managers, servers, bartenders, hosts, and dishwashers, are required for the venue's eateries.
This is just an overview of the skills in demand so check it out for yourself if you're eager to work and looking for options.
