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Live Now, Izanami Becomes Queen of Cards & Chibi Bots Take Over SMITE

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SMITE’s latest update, out today, marks the start of three distinct events, the Heavenly Light major event, the Chibi Bots Battle Pass, plus a Birthday Celebration event. Each in its own way has free rewards for players to unlock.

The four month long Heavenly Light event has now started, featuring dozens of purchasable skins plus quest lines. The collection reward is Hi-Rez’s new top-of-the-line shapeshifting skin: Queen of Cards Izanami. This Unlimited skin can only be unlocked as a bonus for purchasing the entire event.

Izanami, the Japanese matron of the dead, has been chosen to become SMITE’s new ‘Tier 5’ skin, meaning one that rotates between several forms and evolves according to player actions during matches. Queen of Cards Izanami has four different forms, each representing a card suit – Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, and Clubs – and each as distinct as a separate skin.
For the first time in SMITE, this skin features its own quest system and is able to evolve permanently, not just for the current match. The Queen of Cards demands that her subjects entertain her – preferably by spilling the blood of enemy Gods. Each time she gets a kill or assist, she draws four cards. When it’s four of a kind, players permanently unlock a special emote for the current form, with entirely different animations.

Battle Pass: Chibi Bots
It may be hard to choose the best theme for a Battle Pass, yet SMITE has found the ultimate one: a fusion between what players love the most – Chibi Gods and mecha Gods.

Starting today, four adorable Chibi Bots skins can be unlocked in the latest Battle Pass. Everyone progresses simply by playing matches, gaining access to dozens of rewards, including some for free such as the Intruder Bot skin for Cupid. Purchasing the Chibi Bots Battle Pass grants access to all rewards, including the other three robotic stars: Beaky Bot, Freezy Bot, and Doom Bot.

Birthday celebration event
During the Heavenly Light Update, SMITE is celebrating its 8th launch anniversary! Through a special in-game event, all birthday gifts go to the community as a token of gratitude, using a structure that has proved extremely popular.

A wide variety of prizes can be unlocked each day just by playing, including the new Husky Handler skin for Skadi, Boosters, Gems, and player-made cosmetics the SMITE team selected during a contest. Those include memey global emotes showcasing Khepri’s giving out free hugs and Candy Shop Achilles coming out of a giant birthday cake.

Countless new combinations in custom games
Delivering a community request, new settings are now available for custom games. Playing with friends or for community events and tournaments, everyone can now use the exact same conditions as the World Championship – or quite the contrary, you can go wild with the craziest settings such as infinite gold, no mana costs, outrageous cooldown reduction, and more.

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Soft2Bet’s Brand ToonieBet Named an Official Sports Betting and Casino Partner of the CFL

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ToonieBet, Soft2Bet’s premier sportsbook and online casino brand tailored for Canadian players, has been named both an Official Sports Betting Partner and an Official Online Casino Partner of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

The multiyear partnership also establishes ToonieBet as an Official Partner of the CFL’s championship game, the Grey Cup. Fans from coast to coast to coast annually gather for Canada’s largest single-day sporting event to celebrate an incredible season, and to witness one team earn the right to hoist the iconic trophy. The 112th Grey Cup will be played at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16.

Fans in Ontario aged 19-and-over will be able to responsibly wager on CFL games through ToonieBet with access to in-game betting and futures. The collaboration will also explore exciting branded online casino experiences on the ToonieBet platform to entertain existing fans and engage new ones.

ToonieBet’s partnership with the CFL underscores Soft2Bet’s ongoing commitment to Canadian sports fans and a further investment in the Canadian sporting tradition, as the deal marks Soft2Bet’s second sports partnership in the country within the last three months, following ToonieBet’s designation as the Official Online Casino Partner of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, which was recently expanded with a full sportsbook offering.

“This partnership is for the fans. Together with ToonieBet, we will unlock exciting avenues of entertainment, delivering new products, responsible gaming options and unique activations, to better serve the future of fandom. In the stadium, at home or online, we’re doubling down on engagement and innovation like never before,” said Tyler Keenan, the CFL’s Chief Revenue Officer.

“Partnering with the CFL will elevate our robust offerings in the Canadian market and allow us to continue building our passionate sports and online gaming community in Ontario. Our team at ToonieBet is deeply committed to building a premium fan experience, while delivering exceptional customer hospitality and ensuring both responsible and safe game play,” said Steve Spindler, ToonieBet’s Canadian Country Manager.

“We are proud to partner with the CFL and its local teams. This partnership goes beyond visibility – it’s about building relevance and establishing a real connection with fans. Aligning with one of Canada’s most trusted leagues allows us to strengthen our bond with Ontarians and deliver a best-in-class sports betting and gaming experience through ToonieBet,” said Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2Bet.

Additionally, ToonieBet has been designated as an Official Authorized Gaming Operator of the CFL, allowing Soft2Bet to deliver best-in-class gaming experiences with official CFL data and statistics to sports fans and sportsbook users across Ontario through the ToonieBet platform.

ToonieBet will also serve as the presenting partner of CFL Fantasy, and the Game Tracker in Ontario on CFL.ca and LCF.ca, in addition to being the CFL’s odds provider on the league’s digital scoreboard.

The post Soft2Bet’s Brand ToonieBet Named an Official Sports Betting and Casino Partner of the CFL appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Opens with Legendary Guitar Smash and Star-Studded Celebration

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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.

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MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition

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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.

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