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

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3 years ago

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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)
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BetVictor

BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign

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3 days ago

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March 31, 2025

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BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.

Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.

To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.

The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.

Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.

“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”

The post BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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AGCO

AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers

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3 days ago

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March 31, 2025

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.

In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).

Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.

A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.

QUOTE

“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”

Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:

  • 1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
  • 2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.

Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:

a) On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15.
b) On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”.
c) On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”.

The post AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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BCLC

BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign

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6 days ago

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March 27, 2025

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BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.

The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.

“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.

Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.

“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.

The post BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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