Connect with us

Canada

INDIANAPOLIS TO HOST NBA 2K LEAGUE’S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON BEGINNING MARCH 23

Published

3 years ago

on

 

The NBA 2K League announced that Indianapolis has been selected as the host city for the NBA 2K League’s fifth anniversary season and unveiled the league’s complete competition schedule, which includes a combination of remote and in-person games.  The competition tips off on Wednesday, March 23 with the amateur qualifying event for the Coinbase NBA2KL 3v3 SLAM OPEN, the first of three tournaments in the new Coinbase NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES, and will culminate with the NBA2KL 3v3 and 5v5 Finals as part of the NBA2KL Championships on Saturday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug. 27, respectively.

In-person NBA 2K League competitions will take place at the new NBA 2K League Studio in Indianapolis at The Pavilion at Pan Am.  The studio’s innovative design will feature two circular competition stages to allow for simultaneous in‑person games that give the broadcast the opportunity to switch between games in real-time to capture the most exciting action.  Information on tickets for in-person games will be announced in the coming weeks.

“After playing nearly all of the 2020 and 2021 seasons remotely, we are thrilled to get back to our live studio experience in the heart of downtown Indianapolis – a city overflowing with passionate basketball fans and known for putting on some of the biggest events in American sports,” said NBA 2K League President Brendan Donohue.  “The NBA 2K League is proud to call Indianapolis our home for the 2022 season.”

“Indiana Sports Corp is excited to partner with the NBA 2K League on its upcoming season in Indy,” said Indiana Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn. “Our team will provide assistance in several capacities over the course of their 2022 competitions, and we look forward to welcoming this first-ever full tournament season, playoff and championship event to our city.  Esports is among the fastest growing sports in the world, and we are thrilled Indy will be the epicenter of the NBA 2K global community for the next 6 months.  We are, after all, the city where champions are crowned.”

New this season, as an avenue for the 2 million players who play NBA 2K every day to compete in NBA 2K League competition, amateur teams from around the world will have the opportunity to participate alongside NBA 2K League teams for a share of the 3v3 tournament prize pool.  The Coinbase NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES, which includes the SLAM OPEN, SWITCH OPEN and STEAL OPEN, will complement the traditional 5v5 BANNER CHAIN Powered by AT&T tournaments (THE TIPOFF, THE TURN and THE TICKET).  The SLAM OPEN and SWITCH OPEN will include the 24 NBA 2K League teams, North American amateur teams that earned a spot through the tournaments’ qualifying events and Community Teams selected by the league and consisting of top players from the 2K community and social media influencers.  The STEAL OPEN will include the 14 NBA 2K League teams that haven’t already qualified for the NBA2KL 3v3 Playoffs, and one amateur international team from each of the European and Asia-Pacific regions that earned a spot through separate international qualifying events.  NBA 2K League teams, amateur teams and Community Teams will qualify for the NBA2KL 3v3 Playoffs based on their performance in the prior competitions throughout the season.

THE BANNER CHAIN Powered by AT&T and the NBA2KL 5v5 Playoffs and Finals will continue to feature only NBA 2K League teams.  All 24 teams will compete in THE TIPOFF and THE TURN.  The five top performing teams from each conference at the end of the regular season will automatically qualify for the NBA2KL 5v5 Playoffs.  The 14 remaining teams will compete in THE TICKET, with the winning teams from the two conferences earning the 11th and 12th spots in the playoffs.

For the first time in league history, following the completion of the SLAM OPEN, THE TIPOFF, the SWITCH OPEN and THE TURN, each NBA 2K League team will play five additional 3v3 and 5v5 matches that will finalize which teams automatically qualify for the NBA2KL Championships and determine seeding in the STEAL OPEN and THE TICKET.

The NBA 2K League will announce additional information related to the 2022 season in the coming months, including registration details for the qualifying events for the three Coinbase NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES tournaments, further details about Community Teams, and the 2022 season prize pools.

Below please find the 2022 NBA 2K League competition schedule:

  • March 23 – 26             SLAM OPEN Amateur North America Qualifying Event (Remote)
  • March 30 – April 2     SLAM OPEN Amateur North America Qualifying Event (Remote)
  • April 5 – 8                   THE TIPOFF Group Play (Remote)
  • April 12 – 15               THE TIPOFF Group Play (Remote)
  • April 20 – 23               THE TIPOFF Bracket Play (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
  • April 26 – 29               SLAM OPEN Group Play (Remote)
  • April 27 – 30               STEAL OPEN Amateur Europe Qualifying Event (Remote)
  • May 3 – 6                    SLAM OPEN Group Play (Remote)
  • May 4 – 7                    STEAL OPEN Amateur APAC Qualifying Event (Remote)
  • May 11 – 14                SLAM OPEN Bracket Play (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
  • May 18 – 21                SWITCH OPEN Amateur North America Qualifying Event (Remote)
  • May 25 – 28                SWITCH OPEN Amateur North America Qualifying Event (Remote)
  • May 24 – 27                THE TURN Group Play (Remote)
  • May 31 – June 3         THE TURN Group Play (Remote)
  • June 8 – 11                  THE TURN Bracket Play (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
  • June 14 – 17                SWITCH OPEN Group Play (Remote)
  • June 21 – 24                SWITCH OPEN Group Play (Remote)
  • June 29 – July 2          SWITCH OPEN Bracket Play (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
  • July 5 – 8                    5v5 Seed Weeks (Remote)
  • July 12 – 15                5v5 Seed Weeks (Remote)
  • July 19 – 22                3v3 Seed Weeks (Remote)
  • July 26 – July 29         3v3 Seed Weeks (Remote)
  • August 1 – 7                League-Wide Bye Week
  • August 10 – 11            STEAL OPEN (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
  • August 12 – 13            THE TICKET (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
  • August 17 – 20            NBA2KL 3v3 Playoffs and Finals (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
  • August 24 – 27            NBA2KL 5v5 Playoffs and Finals (NBA 2K League Studio, Indianapolis)
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

BCLC

Surrey Resident Wins Record-Breaking $80-Million Lotto Max Jackpot

Published

1 day ago

on

May 16, 2025

By

surrey-resident-wins-record-breaking-$80-million-lotto-max-jackpot

Justin Simporios is normally a sound sleeper who “can fall asleep anywhere” – but he had a very sleepless night, after learning he won an $80-million Lotto Max jackpot from the May 9, 2025 draw. This is the largest lottery jackpot ever won in B.C. and is also the largest jackpot ever won by a single individual in Canada.  

“It was 10:30 p.m.,” recalled Simporios of the moment he realized he won. “I saw that someone won $80 million in Surrey. I was joking and told my wife ‘we’re millionaires!’ and she told me to stop making that joke. After, I manually checked each number before scanning [using the BCLC Lotto! I cried and shouted, ‘we’re millionaires!’” 

The Surrey resident woke up his wife to share the news. “She was in complete disbelief and a bit mad at me because our daughter wasn’t feeling well.” Simporios’ wife luckily agreed this was a good reason to wake her.  

While still in disbelief about his win, Simporios is ultimately most excited to share his windfall with his family. “I want to help my family and my wife’s family. I’ll pay off my sister’s medical school debt and help my mom retire early – just giving my family a head start in life.”  

Giving back to the community in Surrey and B.C. is also a key priority for Simporios. “I’ve struggled before and needed help. Even if I can give an ounce of happiness, I want to help where we can. This feels like a dream.”  

As an avid LA Lakers fan, Simporios mentioned he would like to see LeBron James play before James retires. He also plans to visit his family in the Philippines for a family reunion. “My wife and kid have never visited!”   

On how it feels to win a record-breaking jackpot?   

“The biggest change will be having more time with my wife and family. We want to live with a purpose – to help the community around us.”  

Simporios purchased the winning ticket at the Walmart Supercentre in Central City on King George Boulevard in Surrey. 

So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $101 million from Lotto Max. Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m. (PST).  

Players can purchase tickets at lottery retailers or at PlayNow.com. Winning numbers and group release forms can be found online at www.bclc.com. Players can check their lottery tickets anytime, anywhere on iOS and Android devices. Learn more about the BCLC Lotto! 

BCLC offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians. Players can visit PlayNow.com to learn how to set time and money limits. 

The post Surrey Resident Wins Record-Breaking $80-Million Lotto Max Jackpot appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

AGCO

AGCO calls on media platforms to step up the fight against unregulated online gambling sites

Published

1 day ago

on

May 16, 2025

By

agco-calls-on-media-platforms-to-step-up-the-fight-against-unregulated-online-gambling-sites

 

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has contacted more than a dozen traditional and digital media platforms, calling on them to stop promoting unregulated online gambling and sports betting sites like Bodog to Ontario residents.

Operated by Il Nido Inc., Bodog is an offshore operator actively targeting Ontarians by advertising on popular traditional and digital media platforms. Despite blocking players in Quebec and Nova Scotia from accessing their unregulated gambling and sports betting sites, Bodog continues to allow Ontarians to access these sites while advertising heavily on traditional and digital media platforms targeting Ontarians.

Under the Gaming Control Act, 1992, Bodog and other online gambling sites are required to register with the AGCO and sign an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario in order to operate in Ontario. Ontario’s regulated igaming framework requires operators to meet comprehensive requirements related to game integrity, player protection, anti-money laundering and information privacy. Bodog’s efforts to direct Ontarians to unregulated gambling undermine player protection and other safeguards which exist in the regulated market, as well as fair market principles.

By airing ads for Bodog and other unregulated operators, legitimate media platforms are providing a veneer of legitimacy to unregulated and high-risk sites and creating confusion for Ontarians. The AGCO is therefore calling on these platforms to take a stand against the promotion of unregulated online gambling sites and remove the ads. By doing so, broadcasters and digital media companies will help reduce the risks these sites pose to Ontarians and support the long-term sustainability of Ontario’s regulated igaming market – all key objectives of the AGCO.

The AGCO will continue to work with its partners – both in Ontario and internationally – to combat these unregulated sites and protect the public.

“The AGCO is committed to protecting Ontario players and ensuring they have the safest experience by playing on regulated igaming sites. By refusing to carry advertising from unregulated and high-risk operators like Bodog, media organizations can exemplify social responsibility and play an important role in protecting Ontarians and supporting Ontario’s regulated market.”  – Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO.

The post AGCO calls on media platforms to step up the fight against unregulated online gambling sites appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Caesars Entertainment

OLG Selects Caesars Entertainment as the Service Provider for Windsor Casino

Published

4 days ago

on

May 13, 2025

By

olg-selects-caesars-entertainment-as-the-service-provider-for-windsor-casino

 

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has selected Caesars Entertainment as the Service Provider in the Windsor Casino procurement process. This is the final procurement process in the OLG’s land-based gaming modernization initiative.

Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled to be selected as the service provider for the Windsor Casino by the OLG. Caesars has a long history of managing Windsor and looks forward to continuing to deliver exceptional guest service and experiences at the property.”

Caesars and its predecessor companies have partnered with the OLG to operate Caesars Windsor (fka. Casino Windsor) since the opening of the temporary facility in 1994. Caesars will assume responsibility for gaming and non-gaming operations of the Windsor casino on behalf of the OLG under a 20-year operating agreement, which is expected to begin in 2026.

OLG requires an 18-month restriction on any organizational changes consistent with other gaming bundle modernizations in Ontario. Unionized employees will continue to be governed by the terms of their collective agreement.

The post OLG Selects Caesars Entertainment as the Service Provider for Windsor Casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Trending