The online casino brand Betty has entered the bingo sites industry in Ontario, Canada, through the acquisition of the Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall. The deal, which was completed towards the end of 2025, allows Betty to operate within Ontario’s charitable bingo framework, and it will also boost its wider online gaming offering. While the acquisition of Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall introduces a digital element to the bingo business, the hall itself will continue to operate under its existing name and with its current staff.
Betty acquired its Ontario gaming license in 2023, and it has since built an excellent reputation as a casino with a focus on slots. Online bingo is a new direction for the company, and the hope is that it will be able to appeal to more players while raising money for charity.
According to the company, the acquisition of a physical bingo venue with long-standing links to the community allows it to operate within Ontario’s charitable gaming system and enter into the online bingo industry at the same time.
Betty CEO Chavdar Dimitrov described the move as an important milestone for the business, saying:
“This acquisition is a strategic step as we launch our iBingo offering in Ontario. We’re excited to be innovating in a regulated space in a way that lets our growth translate into meaningful charitable funding for local communities.”
Online bingo is new ground for Betty, and it sounds as if the company wants to do all it can to learn from the experience of the Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall, which will remain open and continue operating under its existing name.
The venue has been part of the community since opening in 1998 and currently employs four members of staff. Betty has confirmed that none of the staff will be affected by the acquisition. In fact, maintaining the hall’s identity seems to be a central part of the company’s strategy. Rather than replacing the existing venue with a new brand or concept, Betty intends to build on the hall’s existing role in the community while supporting its online expansion.
The company has also promised to invest in improvements to the hall, including upgrades to both its technology and facilities, in order to modernise the venue while keeping its place in the community.
One of the most unusual aspects of Ontario’s bingo industry is its charitable structure. The province’s regulations state that a portion of gaming revenue must be donated to local charitable organisations.
By acquiring Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall, Betty is now able to directly participate in this system. A share of the company’s iGaming revenue generated in Ontario will be donated to charities licensed through the Kirkland and Area Bingo Association.
Importantly, the charitable funding will not be limited to money generated by the new online bingo offering. The company has confirmed that a percentage of its entire online gaming revenue in the province will go to the charitable pool.
The funds raised through this model are distributed locally and go to organisations across a range of sectors, including healthcare, youth services, community initiatives, and recreational programmes.
Dimitrov spoke about the importance of preserving the role that bingo halls have traditionally played in many communities, including through charity work.
“This is a long-term investment in the Kirkland Lake community. It’s about keeping a community institution open, supporting local charities and making sure bingo remains relevant and accessible for the next generation of players.”
In addition to charitable funding, regardless of the acquisition of Kirkland Lake Bingo Hall, the company has also promised to continue working with local suppliers and service providers connected to the hall in order to ensure that the financial benefits generated through the venue continue to be felt within the local area.