Tech-focused competitive socialising company, The Social Gaming Group, has taken a further step in its global expansion with the opening of a new venue in Toronto, its first in North America.
The Toronto venue is the newest of the group’s eleven Oches around the world, with venues in Europe, Asia and Australia. Its opening marks the next phase of The Social Gaming Group’s broader growth plans, with a focus on North America, the Nordics and Europe.
The newest ‘Oche’ venue, the group’s premium B2C brand, is located in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district. Oche King Street West will house Oche’s tech-powered darts and shuffleboard experiences, which take the classic games to new heights – blending precision camera tracking, immersive game modes, supported by integrated tutorials, to deliver engaging, next-level experiences for players of all skill levels.
Combining tech darts, SHUFL Tech, with its signature curved playfields, premium dining, a lively bar, and private karaoke, The Social Gaming Group continues to cement its position at the forefront of the fast-growing global competitive socialising movement – a space that has grown almost 400% since 2021.
Larger and corporate groups will also be able to choose from a range of food, drinks and gaming packages that actively facilitate better team building and collaboration.
The move sees The Social Gaming Group join forces with Paper Plane Hospitality Inc., a seasoned actor in the Toronto hospitality scene, which will operate the Oche as a franchisee.
Trond Bastiansen, CEO of The Social Gaming Group said, “Opening Oche Toronto on King Street West marks a new chapter for us and an important milestone in our global growth. Our mission has always been to lower the threshold for socialising, using technology to bring people together in real life.
The way people socialise is changing. Especially among younger generations, social experiences are becoming more planned and activity-driven. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z played a social entertainment game in the last month, according to Mintel data. That tells us venues cannot just rely on drinks anymore; they need to offer something more.
Toronto is a vibrant, diverse city with a great social scene, and we are excited to be part of it. This launch is also a strong signal that our model works, both in terms of operating our own venues and supporting franchise partners around the world.’
Ryan Fisher of Paper Plane Hospitality Inc commented, “Our mission is to lower the barrier to socialising, and The Social Gaming Group’s groundbreaking tech products, commitment to community building, and emotionally impactful experiences made this partnership a no-brainer. Infusing well-loved, familiar activities like shuffleboard, karaoke, and darts with innovative tech makes for a truly memorable experience, and we are confident that Oche King Street West will be an unqualified success.”
