High Roller & Playtech Plot Ontario Entry as License Application Filed

High Roller Technologies has taken two decisive steps toward joining Ontario’s thriving iGaming ecosystem: it submitted its Internet Gaming Operator licence application to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in late May and, days later, selected Playtech as the technology backbone for its forthcoming HighRoller.com platform. Together, the twin moves signal the Las Vegas-based operator’s intent to position its flagship brand as an up-market alternative in one of the world’s largest regulated online-casino territories.

With Ontario’s regulated operators posting CA$82.7 billion in wagers and CA$3.2 billion in total revenue during the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025 – including CA$2.4 billion from online casino play alone—the province offers both scale and regulatory certainty. High Roller’s chief executive, Ben Clemes, called the licence filing “an important milestone” and argued that “Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller,” emphasising plans to “roll out the red carpet” for players as soon as the green light arrives, anticipated in the second half of 2025.

To deliver that premium experience, High Roller has turned to Playtech, whose software already powers operators in more than forty regulated jurisdictions. Playtech will integrate its player account management, casino, live-dealer, and data-driven engagement tools across the HighRoller.com offering, giving the newcomer immediate access to thousands of titles and proven compliance functionality.

Playtech Chief Revenue Officer Sergey Harutyunyan welcomed the deal, noting that the supplier’s technology “is designed to support operators in regulated markets” and pledging to provide safe, innovative, and engaging play. For Playtech, the agreement extends a North American expansion drive that recently saw the company launch more than 120 UK bingo sites through ProgressPlay and post robust B2B growth in the United States.

Although Ontario is the immediate target, High Roller’s ambitions in Canada stretch further. The company has publicly stated its intention to seek a licence in Alberta once that province’s new enabling legislation is operational, enlarging its regulated-market footprint while staying aligned with Canada’s patchwork provincial frameworks.

Internally, High Roller plans to differentiate itself through an interface built for speed and personalisation. The proprietary platform touts machine-learning-driven recommendations, direct API game integrations, and ultra-short load times across a catalogue exceeding 5,000 slots, tables, and live-dealer titles from more than 90 providers.

The operator’s NYSE-listed shares (ticker ROLR) reflected investor enthusiasm in late May, climbing nearly 60 per cent on the press-release day before settling back in pre-market trading. Playtech’s London-listed stock (PTEC) dipped modestly by about 1.4 per cent on the morning the partnership was announced—typical market noise as investors digested another strategic B2B tie-up.

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For Ontario’s existing licensees, the entrance of a brand styled around VIP flair and deep content could intensify competition, but it also reinforces the province’s draw for international operators willing to play by the rules. Regulators have repeatedly stressed that technology partners with a track record of compliance, such as Playtech, help maintain consumer trust while preserving market integrity.

Looking ahead, all eyes turn to AGCO’s licensing timetable. Should approvals arrive on schedule, High Roller expects a soft launch before year-end, entering a market whose gross gaming revenue reached roughly CA$2.3 billion in 2024 and is still growing in 2025. If successful, the partnership may serve as a template for Alberta and other newly regulating jurisdictions across North America.

Sources:

Playtech to power High Roller casino launch in Ontario, gamingintelligence.com, June 2, 2025