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FORMER BOXING WORLD CHAMPIONS SUGAR RAY LEONARD AND SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY AND SPORTS AGENT RAY LEONARD JR. TO FORM KO KINGS SIMWIN SPORTS OWNERSHIP GROUP

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SimWin Sports, the world’s first virtual sports league that provides daily fantasy players and esports fans with the ability to watch, predict, collect, play, and earn, today announced the latest addition to its impressive lineup of celebrity ownership groups. Famed athletes and entrepreneurs “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Ray Leonard Jr., and “Sugar” Shane Mosely have joined forces to form the KO Kings team ownership group in the SimWin Sports Football league to deliver sports to the metaverse.
“Our new ownership group’s outstanding professional accolades in boxing and the sports and entertainment industries and their commitment to our vision speak volumes about SimWin’s long-term vision in the metaverse,” commented SimWin Founder and CEO David J. Ortiz. “We are thrilled to welcome Sugar Ray, Ray Jr., Sugar Shane, and of course, the KO Kings to SimWin. We look forward to seeing the KO Kings’ debut and the remainder of star-studded teams.”
With prestigious sports roots, the trio aims to represent a diverse fanbase that reflects each owner’s background. Sugar Ray, Leonard Jr., and Sugar Shane are aligned with SimWin’s goal of furthering minority ownership in sports. The virtual sports league proudly emboldens the growth and advancement of minority-owned businesses as part of its mission. Two-thirds of SimWin’s football team owners are minority businesspeople, including Magic Johnson (LA Magic), LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Rare), Jerry Rice (Mississippi GOATs), Marshall Faulk (San Diego Battleships), Dr. Jen Welter (Hollywood Valkryie), Susanne de Passe (Beverly Hills Revenger) and more.
Sugar Ray Leonard is a retired American professional boxer widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers ever. Leonard won several world titles in different weight classes and had legendary fights against Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, and Wilfred Benitez. After retiring from boxing, Leonard became a successful businessman, forming a long-term partnership with Skechers, boasting philanthropic efforts, and thriving as a boxing analyst for HBO Sports. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997 and has received numerous other honors for his achievements in the sport of boxing.
Ray Leonard Jr. is a former two-sport Division I collegiate athlete and former sports agent for some of the biggest names in sports. Known to light up a room when he walks in, Ray is a top motivational keynote speaker, radio host, actor, and award-winning business executive. Leonard recently started Ovationz, a two-sided marketplace that connects talent with event organizers, party planners, and meeting hosts to create outstanding virtual events.
Sugar Shane Mosley is a retired American professional boxer with world titles in three different weight classes. Shane turned professional in 1993 and quickly established himself as a formidable fighter, winning his first world title in 1997. He went on to have legendary fights against Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao. Mosley retired from boxing in 2020 with a record of 49 wins, ten losses, and one draw, and he is considered one of the greatest boxers of his era.
“The KO Kings are excited to bring that knockout punch and boxing discipline to Sim Win Sports,” said Leonard Jr. “The Leonard Sports and Entertainment team are putting the rest of the virtual sports world on notice that we’ve come to knock out the competition.”
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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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AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

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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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