Canada
Raptors Uprising Achieve First Undefeated Regular Season in NBA 2K League History
Raptors Uprising GC, NBA 2K League affiliate of the 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors, became the first franchise in NBA 2K League history to achieve an undefeated regular season Friday evening, sweeping Cavs Legion GC (2-0 series) to record the team’s 16th consecutive victory.
All five Raptors Uprising starters finished in double-digit scoring in the series opener (95-67). Point guard “Kenny Got Work” (Kenneth Hailey) led with 41 points and nine assists, while centre “Sick One” (Jerry Knapp) notched a 10-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in his first game against his former team since being acquired from Cleveland via trade midway through the 2019 season. Raptors Uprising completed the series sweep (90-47), restricting Cleveland to only 47 points – the lowest total Uprising have allowed all season. “Kenny Got Work”, the reigning NBA 2K League Player of the Month and league-leading scorer, notched 48 points, six assists, and five steals while “Sick One” added 17 points, 12 rebounds, eight dimes, three steals, and three blocks in Game 2.
“Congratulations to Raptors Uprising GC on their historic 2020 regular season. Not only are they the first NBA 2K League team to finish the regular season an undefeated 16-0, but they also won the first two tournaments of the season – THE TIPOFF and THE TURN powered by AT&T – and have their sights set on a championship,” said NBA 2K League Managing Director Brendan Donohue. “Their season is a testament to an amazing Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) organization that is committed to building a winning culture on the court and in the community.”
In addition to a plethora of new records established this season, Raptors Uprising went undefeated through 27 matchups in all competitions, winning the two in-season tournaments along the way: THE TIPOFF and THE TURN powered by AT&T. In doing so, they became the first team in the league’s three-year history to capture the first two tournaments of the season, taking home USD $192,000 in prize money for their efforts.
“We came into this season having learned a lot from our first two seasons in terms of the formula for success in the league,” said Shane Talbot, Esports Manager, MLSE. “The group’s unique blend of talent, hard work and chemistry made it clear we had something special this season but we know the job is not finished yet. Our focus now solely shifts to bringing an NBA 2K League championship to Toronto.”
“Kenny Got Work,” the franchise’s first-ever draft pick in 2018, has enjoyed a record-breaking season thus far which has included eight individual accolades since May: four Player of the Week (Weeks 1, 3, 8 and 11), two Player of the Month (May and July) and two Tournament Most Valuable Player (THE TIPOFF and THE TURN) awards. The 30-year-old Memphis native is the longest-serving Raptors Uprising player and is the only player to represent Toronto in all three NBA 2K League seasons.
Following the historic undefeated regular season, Raptors Uprising enter the 2020 NBA 2K League Playoffs as the No. 1 seed and earn a bye into the quarter-finals where they will face the winner of Hornets Venom GT (9-7) and NetsGC (8-8). The 10-team playoffs, with USD $920,000 up for grabs, will tip off remotely Thursday, August 20 and culminate with a best-of-five 2020 NBA 2K League Finals on Saturday, August 29.
Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
BCLC
Be #GiftSmart: Scratch the Idea of Gifting Scratch & Win Tickets to Kids
BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.
“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”
While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.
“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”
In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.
“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:
- Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
- Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
- Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.
AGCO
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
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