Betty CEO Says AGCO Livestream Bingo Decision Validates Digital iBingo Strategy

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (AGCO) decision to allow eligible charitable organizations to livestream media bingo broadcasts reinforces the digital-first direction Betty Canada has been pursuing with its iBingo strategy, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

AGCO announced June 23 it would now allow eligible charitable organizations conducting media bingo to broadcast bingo draws through a livestream on a webpage, rather than being limited to television or radio broadcasts. 

AGCO Modernizes Charitable Bingo

In a statement, the AGCO said the change in charitable lottery licensing policy is a response to stakeholder feedback and supports the continued technological modernization in the charitable gaming sector. 

Under the traditional model, licensed charities would sell bingo cards in advance, then announce the called numbers during the broadcast for people to watch and mark their cards from home.

Knights of Columbus TV Bingo in Durham Region, broadcast live every Tuesday evening on Rogers TV, is an example.

Betty Sees Digital Opportunity

For the charities, the AGCO announcement means more flexibility since they can now stream across their own platforms, with no change in regulatory requirements, and allows for broader audience reach and easier access to the product. 

Plus, it lowers costs for the charities, since they don’t have to purchase broadcast time. That means more games or more frequent draws. 

That’s music to Chavdar Dimitrov’s ears. The Betty Canada CEO spoke to Casino.org last month (June 4) about the company’s growth into iBingo, with their online bingo operations built around the digital player experience.

Looking at the AGCO decision last week, the regulatory frameworks are different – media bingo is charitable gaming, while Betty operates in Ontario’s commercial iGaming market. But the AGCO’s decision could be quite beneficial to Betty’s strategy, Dimitrov said.

Livestreams Expand Player Access

“The AGCO decision validates the model we’ve been moving toward,” he said. “Livestream capabilities let charities extend their reach beyond the walls of the bingo hall while keeping the same trusted experience their players know. It’s not about replacing the hall experience, it’s about meeting players where they are, whether that is in-person or online.” 

While the decision applies only to charitable media bingo, it suggests the AGCO is continuing to modernize how bingo can be delivered through digital channels, a direction that aligns with where Betty sees growth.

Dimitrov said iBingo is an “overlooked” vertical. Those in the space are not “pushing it hard”, he added. iBingo is an online, real-time bingo format where players compete directly against each other rather than just against the house/platform

Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall Acquisition

In March, Betty announced the acquisition of Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall, supporting its movement into regulated iBingo. The deal has enabled Betty to operate within Ontario’s regulated charitable bingo framework, helping to grow the charitable funding that flows back into local communities.

A portion of all Betty iGaming revenue in Ontario is going towards charitable funding. To date, the company said on its website it has donated just over $3.45 million to charity.