Connect with us

Also Interesting

The AGCO assures that advertising standards will be stricter

Published

7 minute read

The AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) has assured that stricter new advertising standards will continue to be enforced for the iGaming industry in the region.

The regulatory body has made this growing industry a clear priority in the last few months; in a recent guidance update, the regulator asserted that they remain ‘committed to taking the necessary steps to maintain a safe, sustainable, and successful iGaming market’.

With this guidance being continuously revised and updated, it’s clear that the gambling watchdog intends to tighten industry standards when it comes all advertisements and promotional materials for online casinos, games and betting sites in Ontario.

What is the AGCO?

The AGCO is a regulatory agency which is responsible for the regulation of various entertainment industries in Ontario. Established in 1998, the agency reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) and operates in accordance with provincial legislature including the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act (2019). This is largely because the regulation of online gambling is mainly managed at a regional level in Canada, and different provinces in the country have developed their own separate legislation.

In order to keep up with the rapid developments in the iGaming industry, regulatory bodies around the world have had to move quickly in recent years. Since the launch of the legal, regulated industry in Ontario back in April 2022, online casinos have established strong popularity in the region, with some of the best in Canada now readily available to Canadian players.

The AGCO’s responsibilities include making sure that alcohol and cannabis sales as well as gambling activities of any kind are conducted safely, fairly, and in accordance with Ontarian law. This vital work includes licensing liquor stores and gaming establishments, maintaining safety and welfare standards in horse racing events, carrying out venue inspections, and monitoring casino activities such as slot machines and popular online betting sites.

Due to the legalization of iGaming in Ontario, the AGCO is now setting the benchmark for its regulation in Canada as a whole. Ultimately, the watchdog’s main aim is to regulate these entertainment industries in a way that protects the public interest, promotes responsible behaviour, and prevents malpractice and exploitative operations.

What are the latest advertising standards?

Changes to regulations in recent years have affected various industries in Canada – including new rules for streaming companies – and of course the iGaming industry is no exception.

Regulators have swiftly sharpened their focus on the online market, as it continues to become established in the province.

In their most recent update to the ‘iGaming Standard’, the AGCO have outlined strict requirements for online operators in Ontario. These standards prioritize consumer protections, especially for minors, as well as the promotion of responsible gambling practices. There is a particular focus on the participation of athletes, celebrities and role models in advertising, as it is keenly understood that these public figures have a strong influence, especially on young people, and therefore must use their platforms responsibly.

The latest updates to these advertising standards include the following rules:

 Advertisements must not be intended or designed to appeal to minors, and must not appear near schools or other ‘youth-oriented’ locations

 Advertising must not include celebrities or influencers who may appeal to minors

 Materials featuring athletes must strictly focus on responsible gambling practices

 Promotional materials must not appear on websites or social media platforms which have large audiences of minors

 Advertising must not be designed to entice or exploit high-risk persons in any way

These are just a few of the minimum requirements outlined in the iGaming Standard – more detailed explanations can be found on the AGCO’s website, or by reading the legislature in more depth. It’s clear that these standards are being scrupulously implemented and monitored in order to block any advertising that might have a negative impact on minors (those under the legal age of 19), as well as other at-risk populations in Ontario.

These rules are subject to new additions and changes at any time, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the latest changes. Since the very beginning of the new internet gaming market in Ontario, the AGCO has made it very clear that it will continue to assess the changing situation, and introduce stricter guidance whenever deemed necessary.

What does this mean for iGaming in Ontario?

Within just two years, the online betting and iGaming industry in Ontario has attracted over a million new user accounts, and generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

Following its legalization, the success of the industry here has been noticed around the world, and industry watchdogs have moved quickly to keep Ontarian operators in check.

The AGCO’s guidance is an essential resource for all those who are seeking to navigate the complexities of Ontario’s evolving internet gaming landscape. By adhering to the advertising principles and requirements outlined in the latest guidance, participants can hope to contribute to the establishment of a thriving, sustainable iGaming industry that upholds a strong level of integrity, responsibility, and player safety.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on any proposed new advertising standards in Ontario, we’d recommend checking the official announcements and publications from the relevant regulatory authorities – especially the AGCO. If this is an area you’re particularly interested in, their website is usually the best place to keep up with all the latest developments.

Whilst these changes can be hard to keep up with, it is imperative that the industry is subject to consistent and careful regulation, so that all residents of Ontario are protected. Ultimately, with these new advertising standards in place, players can continue to expect a high-quality gaming experience in Ontario, whilst also benefitting from increased security and better player safety standards.

Todayville Content Team works with a wide variety of clients to develop compelling content solutions. Our experienced team develops strategic campaigns that use video and storytelling, digital advertising and social media to help our clients position and distinguish themselves in the market.

Follow Author

Also Interesting

Understanding Slot RTP and Variance: Which Slot Game Is Right for You?

Published on

When it comes to playing slots, luck plays a huge role, but there’s more to winning than just spinning the wheels. Checking the variance and RTP of a slot game beforehand can help you find one that matches your style and strategy. Whether you’re a casual player or chasing a jackpot, understanding these factors can improve your experience. For Canadian players looking to try their luck, Tenexcasino.com is a top choice among crypto casino sites, offering a great platform to explore these games.

What is RTP?

RTP or Return to Player shows how much of the money you bet goes back to you over time. It also shows you the “house edge,” or how much of your money goes to the casino over the same period. If a slot has an RTP of 90%, 90 cents of every dollar you bet goes back to you. The remaining 10 cents is the “house edge” or the profit the casino will likely make.

RTP is measured over time and doesn’t tell you what will happen with each spin. But it can tell you which slot games to pick if you want to minimize risk.

What Is Slot Variance?

Variance also shows the risk of playing each slot game. But unlike RTP, it determines how often you can expect to win and the average size of each payout. Will you see small, frequent wins or rare but potentially huge payouts?

Depending on your preference and budget, you can opt for low, medium, or high-variance slots. Low-variance slots offer frequent but smaller payouts, medium-variance slots provide a mix of frequent smaller wins and occasional bigger winnings, and high-variance slots give rare but significant payouts.

What’s the Right Type of Right Slot Game for Me?

Variance and RTP can help you select the slot games that suit your style and the risk you’re
willing to take.

High RTP Slot Games

High RTP games are an ideal choice if you’re on a small budget. They will give you the best chance to build your bankroll and get more from your investment. You should look for games with at least 97% RTP, like Mega Joker (99%), Codex of Fortune (98%), and Starmania (97.87%).

While these games ensure you get more of your money back in the long term, they won’t necessarily help you maintain your bankroll. If that’s what you’re looking for, you should ensure the slots also have low variance.

Low Variance Slots

Low-variance slots are a perfect choice if you’re looking for steady gameplay with minimal risk. They allow you to play longer without large swings in your balance. But it’s not without its thrill.

If you like frequent wins, these games certainly keep the excitement alive. Some of our favorite low-variance games are Starburst, Jack Hammer, and Blood Suckers.

Medium-Variance Slots

These are a sweet spot. Medium-variance slots are perfect if you want steady payouts with the occasional thrill of big wins. They allow you to avoid the risk of high-variance slots while enjoying some of the excitement. Temple of Iris, Wolf Gold, and Golden Winner are great medium-variance slots worth checking out.

High-variance Slots

High-variance games are your best bet if you dream of hitting the jackpot. The risk is undoubtedly high, but you can win a massive payout. However, these slots may not be the best choice for prolonged gaming sessions. They can, however, provide convenient and enjoyable entertainment when traveling or during your lunch breaks.

High variance slots often include progressive jackpots. Some of our favorite high-variance slots include Rome: The Golden Age, Twin Spin Megaways, and Jack in a Pot.

Having a healthy bankroll is necessary here. But even more so, you need patience. You may go through several spins without a win, but the payout can be significant when you do win.

Continue Reading

Also Interesting

The Role of Satellite Imagery in Developing VRA Prescription Maps

Published on

Since its appearance in the 1980s, precision agriculture has revolutionized farming, offering innovative solutions to age-old challenges. One of those is Variable rate technology (VRT), which plays a key role in improving efficiency and sustainability in today’s farming methods.

By applying inputs like fertilizers and water in different quantities across the field, VRT helps optimize crop yields and reduce costs. This technology relies on data collection and analysis to create detailed VRA prescription maps, allowing for customized input applications. 

With the right equipment and technology, VRT can significantly improve agricultural productivity.  Today’s advanced tractors, equipped with built-in terminals and specialized software integrated with a precision agriculture platform, use prescription maps to accurately apply variable rates of water or chemicals based on GPS location and management zones.

Variable Rate Technology In Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture is a game-changer, moving far beyond traditional farming methods. Often called satellite farming, this approach focuses on crop condition monitoring, measuring, and responding to variability within fields. One of its standout innovations is variable rate application (VRA), which has caught the attention of farmers worldwide for its immense potential.

Why is VRA so important? It goes beyond simply fertilizing, seeding, and applying pesticides. It’s about utilizing technology to apply various expendable materials on and beneath the field automatically. 

Farm management software simplifies contemporary farming by combining data and technology to improve farming efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Precision agriculture platforms consolidate operations, crop health monitoring through satellite imagery, and offer real-time suggestions, enabling farmers to make informed decisions for the best use of resources (through VRA) and increased productivity.

Variable rate application offers numerous advantages for modern agriculture:

  1. VR fertilizer enhances farming efficiency.

Adjusting rates based on soil health and plant needs helps save resources and increase yields. Research shows this method can lead to higher net income and healthier soil compared to using uniform rates: “The net incomes of VR management zone were 15.5–449.61 USD ha−1 higher than that of traditional spatially uniform rate fertilization.”

  1. VR irrigation saves water, time, and fuel while reducing machinery wear.

Applying the correct amount of water to different parts of the field based on soil moisture levels and crop requirements reduces wear and tear on irrigation equipment compared to uniform irrigation.

Studies claim: “Variable rate irrigation (VRI) can increase water use efficiency and productivity by applying water based on site‐specific needs.”

  1. VR seeding increases crop yield by adjusting seeding rates based on soil fertility.

VR seeding adjusts seeding rates based on soil fertility and other factors to optimize plant populations and yields. It is commonly used alongside variable rate fertilization as part of a comprehensive precision agriculture strategy. 

Findings show that: “The application of VRS to the seeding of various crops shows positive agro-economic trends, additional yields, and higher economic returns.”

  1. VR pesticide reduces environmental pollution and improves pesticide efficiency.

VRT helps farmers target pests more accurately and use less pesticide. 

Studies have found that “VR management zone reduced the use of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers by 22.90–43.95%, 59.11–100%, and 8.21–100%, respectively, and it also increased the use efficiency of N, P, and K by 12.27–28.71, 89.64–176.85, and 5.48–266.89 kg/kg, respectively, without yield loss.”

This demonstrates the ability of variable rate technologies to improve pesticide effectiveness and reduce environmental pollution in agriculture.

Using Various Technological Means For Informed Decisions

Applying different technological tools is essential for implementing variable rate technology in agriculture. This includes smart machinery, fertilizers, seeders, soil sensors, geographic information system (also called GIS), and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications for field mapping. Additionally, having supporting infrastructure, which helps manage and analyze info from different sources, is crucial for successful implementation.

Understanding the location, timing, and methods for seeding, fertilizing, and harvesting is key in remote crop monitoring and precision agriculture, where data plays a vital role in managing resources effectively.

This information is taken from a wide variety of data sources.

  • Sensors. Moisture, soil nutrients, compaction, weather stations (humidity, temperature, wind speed)
  • Drones and satellite photography. Field hyperspectral imaging.
  • GNSS. Event coordinates, also points and times for obtaining time-series data
  • Spatio-temporal data sources. Spatio-temporal specific data (trajectories of agricultural machinery, spatiotemporal points, event points, time-series information)
  • Maps. Field boundaries, soil type, surface levels)
  • AI solutions. Prediction of weather conditions, detection of plant diseases.

However, simply collecting raw data is not sufficient. It is necessary to process this information to extract valuable insights, make informed decisions, and enable automatic alerts and control signals for agricultural equipment. Thus, you must have the capability to:

  • Gather data;
  • Transform the data to extract valuable insights for precision farming gear;
  • Upload the data into agricultural equipment;
  • Retrieve real-time data from tractors, seeders, fertilizers, and other machinery.

By following these steps, farmers can make the most of modern technology, optimizing their farming practices and boosting efficiency.

Use Of Satellite Images In Building VRT Maps

Satellite crop monitoring imagery can be used to generate different kinds of VRA maps for various purposes. As nitrogen is one of the most critical elements plants need, building map for its proper application is a major task. 

Nitrogen fertilization maps play a crucial role in optimizing the application of water, nitrogen, and crop protection products. 

When creating a VRA map for nitrogen fertilizer, you can choose from various indices that provide valuable insights:

  • MSAVI is sensitive to uncovered soil and, therefore, is ideal for planning VR fertilizer application in the early stages of growth.

Example:  Early in the growing season, a corn farmer uses MSAVI to detect patches of uncovered soil in their field. This helps them apply fertilizer more accurately, ensuring that nutrient-rich areas receive the right amount of input and promoting uniform growth.

  • ReCI measures chlorophyll content in leaves, helping to identify field areas with faded and yellowed vegetation that may need additional fertilizer.

Example: A soybean grower notices using ReCI that certain sections of their field have yellowed leaves, indicating possible nutrient deficiencies. They apply additional fertilizer to these areas, restoring plant health and boosting overall yield.

  • NDVI indicates biomass accumulation zones and areas with low vegetation that might demand larger amounts of fertilizer.

Example:  A cotton producer uses NDVI to map out zones with varying levels of biomass across their field. They adjust their fertilizer application rates, applying more in areas with lower vegetation to support growth and maximize their harvest.

  • NDMI is well-suited for VR irrigation by identifying areas that are under water stress.

Example: During a hot summer, a vineyard uses NDMI to pinpoint areas suffering from water stress. They adjust their irrigation system to provide extra water where it’s needed, ensuring the vines remain healthy and productive.

    • NDRE helps identify stressed or dying vegetation in the middle to late stages of a season, aiding in effective fertilization strategies.
  • Example: During the season, a wheat farmer uses NDRE to identify patches of the field where the wheat plants are showing signs of nutrient stress or poor growth. By applying a mid-season nutrient boost specifically to these stressed areas, the farmer improves the overall health and yield potential of the wheat crop.

Field Productivity Maps

Field productivity maps can be created by analyzing satellite images to pinpoint areas with high or low crop yields. By using the NDVI index and advanced machine learning algorithms, different productivity zones can be identified.

Key applications of productivity maps include:

  • Potassium and phosphorus fertilization

Historical productivity zones data can help avoid excessive application in areas where these nutrients may have accumulated with time.

  • Variable rate planting

Farmers can apply different seed amounts in various productivity zones to either maximize yield or achieve uniform distribution across the field.

  • Land evaluation

Field productivity can be assessed before purchasing or renting land; it helps reduce risk and enhance profitability.

  • Targeted soil sampling

Soil sampling efforts can be focused on key areas indicated by productivity data, rather than relying on generic grid sampling.

As you see, variable rate application (VRA) is a cost-effective method that can save you 10% on planting and cultivation costs based on the characteristics of the soil. To fully benefit from VRA, it’s important to understand the technologies involved, such as sensors, GNSS, earth observation pictures from drones and satellites, and digital maps, which provide crucial data for analysis and implementation. We sincerely hope that you succeed in your farming endeavors with modern technology!

______________

Author Vasyl Cherlinka

Vasyl Cherlinka is a Doctor of Biosciences specializing in pedology (soil science), with 30 years of experience in the field. With a degree in agrochemistry, agronomy and soil science, Dr. Cherlinka has been advising on these issues private sector for many years.

Continue Reading

Trending

X