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CGS looks to the future with a focus on iGaming in Canada

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With iGaming’s prospects widely discussed in Canada, The 26th edition of the Canadian Gaming Summit is set to highlight how significant such growth could be for the future of the industry with its dedicated conference track ‘iGaming’.

The Canadian Gaming Summit is poised to return next month, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 13-15. The dedicated conference track will take place on Wednesday 14th June and will give attendees the opportunity to hear from industry leaders on topics ranging from Canadian gaming laws, the exciting opportunities new jurisdictions present and how to stimulate responsible revenue generation alongside growth.

Kicking off the conference track is “Engaging 15M new players: creating user experience to boost retention and brand loyalty”, a panel that will discuss how iGaming operators can construct an experience that prioritizes the customer, in spite of the limited time frame that is given for launch campaigns.

The panel will include industry experts Noah Levy (SVP, Product Management, The Score), Alexsandra Sygiel (CRO, Pinnacle Sports), Vlad Pavlov (Co-Founder, Betty), Vladimir Malakchi (Chief Commercial Officer, Evoplay) and Dean MacNeil (VP, Product & Managed Services, Northstar Bets), who will discuss how utilizing technology, brand and partnerships can create a unique and engaging environment that encourages players to return.

The panel “Game mechanics and UX – how much innovation is healthy for online casino?”, will be taking a focused look on innovation and the wealth of possibilities it can present to the industry going forward.

The panel will include experts Paolo Roberto de Leon (Senior Director, Online Casino Content, Caesars Digital), Vladyslav Garanko (Chief Marketing Officer, Platipus Gaming), David King (Senior Manager of Product Design, Rivalry) and Trent Schwartz (Senior Manager, Gaming Experience, BetMGM) who will focus on when innovation is necessary in UX and game mechanics, from  slot machines to online poker.

The highly anticipated panel “New Kids on the Block: lessons learned from international operators’ entry into the Canadian market”, will analyze the successes of compliance, marketing and commercial teams of international operators in Canadian Provinces.

The panel will include expert speakers Marina Bogard (Managing Director, Betsafe), Roxana Zaharia (Head of Canada, Rhino Entertainment) and William Woodhams (CEO, Fitzdares) and will be moderated by Peter Czegledy (Corporate, Technology, Gaming, eSports and Space Tech Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP). During the panel, speakers will further discuss how the path of international operators can be utilized as a framework for future activity in Canadian provinces.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder or SBC, said: “With Canada taking steps towards the legalization of iGaming, it is important now more than ever that we provide the resources for companies to take advantage of the current and future landscape. The Canadian gaming space presents an abundance of opportunity for companies and we look forward to watching the market flourish in the coming years.”

Alongside the ‘iGaming’ track, attendees at the event will have the opportunity to attend expert-led panels from an additional 9 tracks including: LeadersLand-basedSports Betting and many more across the 3-day event.

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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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