BetMGM expands its game offering in Ontario
By Shadrack Kairu
In a move that is sure to excite Ontario’s online casino players, BetMGM has announced the addition of the legendary Buffalo slots game to its already impressive gaming platform.
If you haven’t played it, Buffalo is a legendary slot machine that’s been wildly popular at land-based casinos for over a decade. Created by Aristocrat, it’s famous for its stunning wildlife graphics and the unmistakable “Buffalo!” shout when the buffalo symbol appears.
Angus Nisbet, the Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM Online, expressed his excitement over the addition of Buffalo to the Ontario platform, stating:
“Buffalo gained a huge following with its stunning wildlife graphics and the yell of ‘Buffalo!’ across casino floors. Anaxi did a fantastic job translating a land-based legend to iGaming. BetMGM loves bringing big games like Buffalo to our players.”
What players can expect from this new slot game
So, what’s all this hype around the Buffalo slot game and why should you play it? First off, it has 5 reels and 4 rows, but no traditional paylines. Instead, it uses an “1,024 ways to win” system that just amps up the action. The goal is straightforward – get those buffalo symbols to land and fill up the reels for huge payouts.
The buffalo is the star symbol and the one you really want to hit. Lining up five of them pays an incredible 300x your total bet. Even better, the buffalos can appear “stacked” taking up multiple rows, which makes it easier to cover the whole screen for big wins.
Then you have the sunset symbol which acts as the wild. Wilds are generally a substitute for any other regular symbol to create more winning combinations. Besides, they also get super boosted during the free spins bonus round by multiplying any wins by 2x or even 3x.
Speaking of free spins, that’s where the big wins happen. If you hit 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols (the gold coin) anywhere and you’ll trigger 8, 15, or 20 free spins. Those free spin bonuses also have those lucrative multiplier wilds in play.
A few other key details on Buffalo to note:
- 94.58% RTP (well above average)
- Low-medium volatility (balanced decent hit rate with big win potential)
- Bets from $0.02 to $400 (fits any bankroll)
This follows a few key partnerships by BetMGM
Securing a marquee game like Buffalo is the latest big move in BetMGM’s ongoing expansion across North America’s rapidly growing online gambling markets. It follows a couple of important content and market access deals the company has struck over the past year.
Back in February 2023, BetMGM teamed up with Anaxi, the same studio that created the online version of Buffalo. As part of this deal, Anaxi is supplying its full suite of premium game content to BetMGM’s online casinos.
This collaboration allowed BetMGM to become the very first operator in the world to launch Buffalo for real money online play. They first released it in Pennsylvania and Michigan before bringing it to Ontario players.
Chief Revenue Officer for BetMGM, Matt Prevost said on the company website: “BetMGM is proud to bring Buffalo to our Ontario players. It’s already a strong performer in the states and will be a big headliner at BetMGM Ontario, adding to a stellar collection of games.”
Getting that exclusive early window to offer such a highly sought-after slot was a big win for BetMGM as it aims to provide the best all-around online casino experience in every regulated market.
More recently in January 2024, BetMGM struck a deal with Charlotte Motor Speedway to open a premium branded sportsbook right at the iconic NASCAR venue. This gives BetMGM exclusive sports betting licensing and huge visibility among the over 1 million people that visit the speedway annually.
New ad also launched by BetMGM
While growing its business is obviously important, BetMGM also understands the big responsibility that comes with operating in an industry capable of negatively impacting people’s lives if not done responsibly.
That’s why alongside launching Buffalo in Ontario, BetMGM has debuted a new advertisement campaign focused entirely on spreading the message of practicing responsible gaming habits. The 30-second TV and digital ad stars none other than global superstar and NHL icon Connor McDavid. Speaking about this issue, he said:
“The message is all about being responsible if you choose to bet – staying in control and not getting carried away. That’s super important to me. And I really hope it’s advice that everyone follows.”
McDavid shared the ad on his Instagram to help maximize its viewership among his millions of fans worldwide. The commercial itself promotes BetMGM’s comprehensive GameSense responsible gambling program.
GameSense was originally developed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. It provides a full set of tools and resources built right into BetMGM’s desktop and mobile platforms to encourage positive, sustainable play. Some of the tool’s key features include:
- Personal tracking of gambling activity
- Setting limits on deposits, wagers, and time spent playing
- Ability to self-exclude and “take a break” cool-off periods
- Educational materials on odds, myths, and smart gaming practices
Richard Taylor, who is BetMGM’s Director of Responsible Gambling, stressed how crucial this initiative is for the company:
“We are determined to lead the industry in promoting responsible gaming and we’re proud to be doing so in partnership with one of hockey’s greatest players. As the legalized sports betting and online casino industry continues to grow and evolve, we remain committed to equipping players with information, tools and resources to help them play in a responsible and sustainable manner.”
Background on BetMGM
So, who exactly is the company making all these smart moves? Let’s cover some quick background on BetMGM.
For starters, BetMGM is a premier sports betting and online gaming company operating across the United States and Canada. Founded in 2018, it is the product of a joint venture between casino giants MGM Resorts International and Entain Plc (formerly known as GVC Holdings).
This partnership grants BetMGM access to MGM’s vast portfolio of land-based and online gaming assets as well as Entain’s proprietary technology platform serving the U.S. regulated markets. Leveraging this powerful combination, BetMGM offers market-leading online sportsbooks, casinos, poker rooms and more under the BetMGM, Borgata, Party Casino and Party Poker brands.
BetMGM has rapidly expanded into multiple jurisdictions since launching and now holds market access deals or live offerings in over 20 U.S. states as well as Ontario. It is headquartered in New Jersey, the first state to legalize sports betting post-PASPA.
The company has racked up numerous industry accolades over the past few years, including being named Casino Operator of the Year at the SBC North America, EGR North America, Global Gaming Awards, and American Gambling Awards shows in 2023.
With the explosive growth of legal online betting and gaming across North America, BetMGM is positioning itself as an industry leader through strategic partnerships, innovative technology, and investing in new game libraries like the exciting Buffalo slot.
Finally, the company also continues to express its commitment to consumer protection and responsible gaming education.
