Canada
How to Enter and Win The Most Popular E-Sports Competitions
The eSports industry has been growing at a rapid pace over the last few years. We’re now seeing record numbers of gamers taking up eSports as a hobby, with the community expected to grow to 577.8 million players by 2024.
As more players turn their hands – or remotes – to this new type of online gaming, we have also seen a large increase in the number of eSports competitions appearing. These competitions give gamers the chance to prove their skills against other players and have the potential to win a significant amount of prize money for their hard work. If you want to keep updated on how you can enter and win some of these competitions, keep on reading.
Keep up to date with the latest gaming news
There are hundreds of blogs dedicated to the gaming industry out there that can act as your source of knowledge on all things eSports. Find a blog that you enjoy and bookmark it on your computer or mobile so you can be the first to know every time they release new articles. Thunderpick news from the esports world of competitions is a good place to start if you want to find out about upcoming competitions and get the lowdown on everything that has been on in previous tournaments, as well as a whole range of related eSports articles.
When you’re in an eSports competition, you’re likely going to be up against some of the best players in the world, so every little bit of knowledge you can get on the game is going to be useful. Make sure to read as much as you can, try out new tips, download any new updates, and practice as much as you can before you’re ready to enter.
Pick your sport
Picking the sport for your competition could mean the difference between winning a first-place medal or being at the bottom of the leaderboard. There are a lot of choices, so you should try and think about the games that you enjoy but are also really good at. After all, you’re going to be watching and playing this game a lot so you don’t want to choose one that you’ll get bored of after a few sessions.
Some of the biggest games in eSports are collectible card games (CCG), real-time strategy (RTS), first-person shooters (FPS), and multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA).
Watch and follow as many competitions as you can
If you want to be a rising star in your favorite game, it’s best to learn from an example by watching and following along with other successful gamers. You can keep an eye on upcoming events on this eSports calendar which will tell you when the most popular competitions will be held.
Aside from watching the actual competitions, you should also follow content creators, find online gaming communities, and keep up to date with what commentators, gamers, and developers are doing on social media so you’re always in the loop.
The key is to try and integrate yourself into these gaming communities; there’s a wealth of knowledge out there that you can leverage in your own competitions so make an effort to explore as much as you can. You’d be surprised at how supportive the gaming industry is; it’s simple to make friends, find mentors, and explore a range of new gaming opportunities.
How to apply for eSports competitions
For the most part, eSports competitions are invite-only, which can make it very difficult for new gamers to get a spot. If you do want to get into some bigger competitions, one of the best things to do is play in a ranked mode online on your chosen game, climb up the leaderboard to make a name for yourself, and get yourself noticed.
It’s also possible to find smaller competitions that allow players of all levels to enter. They may not offer the biggest prizes to their champions, but it can be a good way to make a name for yourself in the eSports industry and work your way toward competing in the more prestigious tournaments.
There are plenty of tournaments, of all sizes, being held frequently throughout the year. While you’re still learning, try and apply for as many of these competitions as possible so that you can practice gameplay, understand how these competitions work, and hopefully come away with some impressive sums of prize money.
Final thoughts
eSports is an exciting way for avid gamers to test their skills in a competitive environment and win prize money for their hard work. Although it can be difficult to enter these competitions for beginners, if you’re able to study as much as you can, enter smaller competitions, and follow along with the latest gaming updates, you’ll be the next professional gamer in no time.
Canada
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Opens with Legendary Guitar Smash and Star-Studded Celebration

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa officially opened its doors with a signature guitar smash, marking the arrival of Canada’s first fully integrated Hard Rock resort, a bold new destination where entertainment, hospitality, and music take center stage.
The $350 million resort brings the brand’s unmistakable energy to Canada’s capital, offering locals and visitors an immersive Hard Rock experience blending iconic music history with world-class entertainment, hospitality, dining, and gaming.
In true Hard Rock fashion, the opening festivities kicked off with the Canadian Tenors’ electrifying rendition of O Canada followed by the brand’s signature Guitar Smash, a modern take on the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. Executives, dignitaries, and community leaders took the stage to ceremoniously smash guitars, signaling the official opening of the state-of-the-art entertainment destination.
A special moment included the presentation of a $100,000 donation to Ottawa Food Bank, reinforcing Hard Rock’s commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.
“Bringing Hard Rock to Canada’s capital is an iconic milestone for our brand. We’re proud to expand our global footprint and create a destination where locals and visitors can experience world-class gaming, hospitality, and entertainment all in one place,” said Jim Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Hard Rock International.
“Our government is thrilled that Hard Rock chose Ontario for its first fully integrated hotel and casino venue in Canada. This new entertainment and hospitality destination will draw visitors from near and far to Ottawa, create and sustain hundreds of local jobs, and provide millions of dollars for local infrastructure and community programs,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
The post Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Opens with Legendary Guitar Smash and Star-Studded Celebration appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition

PointsBet Holdings Limited announced that MIXI has received written confirmation that AGCO has no concerns with the proposed acquisition by MIXI of the shares in PointsBet Holdings Limited.
PointsBet has also received written confirmation from iGaming Ontario (iGO) in relation to MIXI’s proposed acquisition of shares in PointsBet.
Accordingly, the condition precedent to MIXI’s proposed PointsBet-Board recommended Takeover Bid relating to Ontario approvals in paragraph 4.5 of Schedule 1 of the Bid Implementation Deed dated 16 June 2025 (BID) has been satisfied.
MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid remains subject to the satisfaction of certain other limited conditions as previously announced, including a 50.1% minimum acceptance of the proposed MIXI Offer (as defined in the BID).
The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission provided its approval on 24 March 2025 for MIXI to acquire PointsBet. PointsBet confirmed that MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid is no longer subject to any gaming regulatory approvals.
The post MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor.
On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.
In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.
As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.
Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.
A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.
The post AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
gaming3 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry8 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018