A Win For Saskatchewanians: BCLC Launches PlayNow Brand As Online Gambling is Legalized
Licensed gaming operators in Saskatchewan are finally getting what they have been asking for. BCLC has launched PlayNow as a brand for the online gaming of slot machines. This means that BCLC is not operating online gaming in the province, but rather working with partners to offer players the chance to play branded versions of their games. That’s a good thing for everyone involved in the industry as it also creates an opportunity for operators and suppliers from elsewhere to enter the market by licensing either or both of these brands, or by creating their own branded version of the game or games which they want to offer to players.
PlayNow will be offering its customers over 400 online casino and sports betting products, complemented by offers such as free spins, free bets and no deposit bonuses – all of which (and more!) can be found at NoDepositWorld.com.
Why PlayNow is a Good Thing for Saskatchewan’s Gaming Market?
Saskatchewan players have been waiting for almost a year for BCLC to launch online gaming. The only option available for them to play online games of chance has been to go to another province. Now, both BCLC and the operators will be able to earn revenue from these players. That’s awesome news for everyone involved in the Saskatchewan online casino gaming industry.. It also creates an opportunity for operators and suppliers from elsewhere to enter the market by licensing either or both of these brands, or by creating their own branded version of the game or games which they want to offer to players.
Given that BCLC does not operate other versions of these games themselves, it would seem like this is a win-win situation for everyone concerned: Players get a choice; Local suppliers get more options; BCLC earns licensing fees from operators who choose to use its brands rather than launching them as separate entities.
Why Launching PlayNow as an Online Brand May Be Legally Risky
BCLC’s PlayNow brand has been around since 2008. Launching online is a different ball game than launching the brand in a brick-and-mortar casino. Online, BCLC will be bringing its brand to the entire world, not just residents of one province. With that in mind, there are two potential legal problems that BCLC may run into.
The first potential legal issue is a trademark infringement issue. It’s possible that an operator who has, for example, already branded an online version of a reel slot game, could challenge BCLC’s right to use its PlayNow brand. And the second potential legal issue is that a court could rule that BCLC is in breach of its licensing agreement with the Saskatchewan Lotteries Commission.
New PlayNow Branding and Game Design
This is great news for Saskatchewanians given BCLC’s partnership with Sask Gaming to offer online gambling services as part of their online casino website shared by all provincial gaming corporations across Canada.
BCLC has indicated that the branding for its online casino game offerings will remain largely consistent with the existing offerings. Specifically, BCLC has indicated that most of its online casino game offerings will have a similar look and feel to their land-based casino offerings. From a design perspective, we would expect that the games would include the same symbols and themes used in BCLC’s current online casino offerings. One thing that we would expect to differ is the color palette used for the branding.
BCLC has indicated that its new PlayNow brand will feature a bolder and more vibrant color palette that is intended to make the brand appear more friendly and approachable to potential players. This new branding will also include a new BCLC logo. The introduction of this new logo will also see BCLC retire its long-standing Cleo brand that is currently used on BCLC’s Sports Betting and Scratch & Win offerings.
Ongoing Commitment to Responsible Gaming
BCLC has indicated that it will maintain a strong commitment to responsible gaming. BCLC has indicated that it will continue to use tools that are designed to help players manage their gambling. BCLC has also indicated that it will provide in-depth information and resources to help players who want to cut back on or quit gambling. BCLC has indicated that it will also continue to use its current real-money gambling self-exclusion program. This program allows players to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling on BCLC’s online casino services. One area where BCLC may enhance its responsible gaming outreach is to provide additional support for families, friends, and loved ones of those who are experiencing difficulties with their gambling.
