Earlier this month, it was announced that Euro Partners, one of the leading affiliates for the gaming software developer Playtech, was pulling out of online gambling markets in Finland and the Netherlands. At the time, the company hinted that their online casino games may also be removed from the Canadian market.
The rumours at first turned out to be unfounded as Euro Partners stated that operations would continue uninterrupted in Canada. However, the company has changed its position once again, and confirmed that their branded online casino games will be removed from the Canadian gambling market, effective immediately.
Euro Partners has refused to disclose the reason for suddenly exiting the Canadian market, but speculation from gambling pundits does hint at ongoing legal issues for the company. Playtech representatives cited amended gambling laws in the European nations as responsible for Euro Partners’ decision to withdraw from those markets.
But the Canadian online gambling market holds very few restrictions for gaming operators, provided they are based outside of Canadian jurisdiction. The sudden change leaves many players and analysts questioning the decision, and what that could mean for the future of online gambling in Canada.
Euro Partners issued a statement assuring Canadian players that all casino account balances were secure, and that players can continue accessing Playtech powered slots, table, and poker games for the next 30 days. But Euro Partners will not accept any new deposits or authorize any new Canadian accounts.
Some pundits are hinting that the withdrawal from Canada may only be temporary, though that speculation is difficult to confirm without details from Euro Partners explaining their reasons for leaving Canada.
