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Hawks Talon GC To Retain BP (Michael Diaz-Cruz), KEL (Mykel Wilson) and Lee Lamb for 2021 Season

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2019 MVP Award Finalist, Member of 2020 NBA 2K League All-Rookie Team and One of League’s Premiere Secondary Ballhandlers Will Return to Hawks Talon Next Season

 Hawks Talon Gaming Club, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, today announced that they will retain both BP (Michael Diaz-Cruz), KEL (Mykel Wilson) and LEE (Lee Lamb) for the upcoming 2021 NBA 2K League Season. At the end of each season, teams are required to retain at least two players. If a team decides to retain a third player, they will lose their 2021 fourth-round draft pick. Hawks Talon finished with a 7-9 record this past season, just shy of making the playoffs. BP led the team in both points per game (26.4) and assists per game (7.8), LEE led the team in both rebounds per game (12.3) and blocks per game (2.4) and KEL finished second on the team in points per game (16.6).

“We are thrilled to have BP, KEL and LEE return to Hawks Talon next season,” said Hawks Talon GC Team Manager and Head Coach Wesley Acuff. “This past season, both players showed their elite abilities at their respective positions, and we are confident that they will continue to grow and be key contributors as we create a championship culture.”

In 2020, Hawks Talon’s BP was the team’s primary ballhandler and continued to establish himself as one of the league’s elite playmakers after finishing 14th in the league in points per game (26.4) and eighth in the league in assists per game (7.8). During the 2019 campaign, BP finished as a finalist for both the Intel Performance NBA 2K League MVP Award as well as the NBA 2K League Rookie of the Year. Hawks Talon GC acquired BP in a 2019 offseason trade with Kings Guard Gaming, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings.

After being drafted with Hawks Talon’s 2020 first-round (16th overall) selection, LEE was named to the 2020 NBA 2K League All-Rookie Team. During the 2020 season, he set the franchise mark with 20 double-double single-game performances. Additionally, he finished ranked 11th in the entire league in both average rebounds per game (12.3) and blocks per game (2.4).

In the 2020 Draft, Hawks Talon selected Atlanta’s own KEL with their second-round (38th overall) selection. Throughout the 2020 season, KEL stood out in a role as the team’s secondary ballhandler and finished fourth among shooting guards in the entire 2K League in average points per game (16.6). In 2019, he played for both Magic Gaming, the official affiliate of the Orlando Magic, and Grizz Gaming, the official affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies.

As a result of retaining three players, Hawks Talon will have their original first-round, second-round and third-round draft picks in the upcoming 2021 NBA 2K League Draft.

 

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absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

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Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).

The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.

Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestoneit’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”

On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”

Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.

 

The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Alex Malchenko Head of Sales at Evoplay

Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has partnered with Caesars Entertainment to expand its footprint in the Canadian market, following its initial entry earlier this year. The partnership integrates 20 of the studio’s top-performing titles onto Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in Ontario, including fan-favourites such as Hot Triple Sevens, Triple Chili, and The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy.

Having announced its official entrance into Ontario in March, the collaboration with Caesars marks a significant step in Evoplay’s local strategy. Further standout releases, such as Inner Fire Bonus Buy and Hot Volcano, also launched as part of the initial package, with additional player favourites, including Fruit Nova and Ice Mania.

The collaboration underlines Evoplay’s commitment to working with leading operators to deliver high-quality content tailored to regional audiences.

Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Launching with Caesars in Ontario marks a key milestone in our North American strategy.

“It reflects both the strength of our portfolio and our commitment to providing innovative, high-performing content to operators of the highest caliber.”

Ricardo Cornejo Rivas, Vice President of Online Gaming at Caesars Digital, said: “Evoplay brings a fresh and dynamic approach to online gaming, which we’re excited to offer to our players in Ontario. This portfolio of standout titles adds to our growing content library and furthering our ongoing goal of delivering top-tier entertainment experiences to our players.”

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iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO

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The iGaming Ontario Board of Directors has announced Joseph Hillier as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 8, 2025. Joseph’s depth in the Ontario igaming market combined with successful public and private sector careers make him the ideal President and CEO at this critical point in iGaming Ontario’s growth.

Joseph was most recently Chief Strategy Officer and Corporate Secretary at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), where he delivered significant strategic and regulatory initiatives across the province’s alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors. Prior to the AGCO, he served as Chief of Staff to Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey and led the development, launch and implementation of Canada’s first private sector-driven igaming market and the creation of iGaming Ontario. Joseph also spent more than a decade working in the financial and legal services sectors.

The Board expressed its sincere thanks to David Smith for serving as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since Martha Otton’s retirement.

The post iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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