

Canada
Super League Gaming Introduces DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys to the Gaming Metaverse Through Innovative Media Activation
Super League Gaming, a leading network of metaverse games, monetization tools, and content channels, today announced the introduction of five characters from the new DreamWorks Animation feature film, The Bad Guys (in theaters April 22), into the gaming metaverse. DreamWorks Animation, a division of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group within NBCUniversal, is Super League’s first partner showcasing its recently launched innovative 3D ad units. The promotional campaign, designed to excite gaming communities around the film’s unforgettable characters, leverages Super League’s innovative 3D interactive ad units and international advertising network, which reaches more than 75mm young gamers monthly.
Universal Pictures, which releases all DreamWorks Animation films, has pioneered a new way to create connections with young audiences. With this new campaign, The Bad Guys characters come to life in front of a player’s eyes every time a player passes by. As they encounter pre-programmed dialogue boxes that trigger exciting and fun conversation, gamers can get to know and start bonding with the film’s colorful characters prior to the film’s April 22 release. In just the first four days of the program, the collection of ad units, including The Bad Guys billboards, animated GIFs, and 3D ads, generated more than 10 million impressions of at least 10 seconds in duration, and were seen by more than 2.2 million unique players. More significantly, players self-selected to interact with the 3D characters for more than 42 days of total chat time, yielding a 62% engagement rate. This rate is substantially greater than the average Tik Tok engagement rates of 1.5-16% (source: Funnel.io), which is highest among social media platforms. In addition, the campaign featured the prompt “We are going to pull off the ultimate heist and go from bad to good! See us in movie theaters April 22! Will you watch?” 79% of users responded ‘Yes.’ Bottom line: The Bad Guys and Super League’s 3D ads are good in game!
Super League’s full suite of ad formats come fully equipped with robust performance analytics, now optimized for 3D units, offering critical measurement around key metrics, including engagement rate, response rate, chat time, exposure time, reach, and complete audience demographics. This is the first of many campaigns that will allow players inside Roblox to interact and converse with brands like never before.
“At DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures, we are committed to innovation and creating unforgettable characters that thrill, amuse and entertain audiences of all ages, so we are delighted to help introduce DreamWorks’ incredible Bad Guys to the world through Super League Gaming and the gaming metaverse,” said Nicole Schlegel, Vice President of Global Digital Marketing for Universal Pictures. “We have zero doubt that gamers will have a blast as they meet and interact with these characters and that it will enrich their experience with The Bad Guys when the film arrives in theaters on April 22.”
“The ability to bring these characters to life at scale takes in-game experience to a whole new level,” said Mike Wann, Chief Strategy Officer for Super League. “These products are able to create authentic, exciting interactions with new personalities, and delight players with engaging new activities in the gaming metaverse. This new format not only brings deep insights for brands, but also incremental monetization for game developers – all while increasing in-game dwell 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.
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