

Canada
Cotler VIP Tours, Inc. Surviving COVID-19 With Pivot to Online Sports and Gambling Media Brand ‘The Props Network’
Celebrating its 35th year in business as licensed casino junket reps, Cotler VIP Tours, Inc.—known publicly as VIP Gambling Tours—announced its expansion into interactive gaming with the launch of its US sportsbook affiliate brand ThePropsNetwork.com. The brand debuted in January with licensing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has since expanded into West Virginia, Indiana and Iowa. The sports and gambling focused media brand has survived the casino shut downs with original produced shows, podcasts, and a landmark venture into live professional sports productions.
“Our goal in launching ThePropsNetwork.com has been to make the enjoyable experiences we create for our VIP gamblers accessible to the online gambling community,” says Steve Cotler, founder of Cotler VIP Tours, Inc. “Particularly now as we’ve seen the impact of COVID-19 on our land-based business model, creating an online presence allows us new opportunities to interact with existing customers, introduce new forms of gambling entertainment and engage a new generation of gambling clientele.”
Cotler tapped Kyle Piasecki—whose igaming credentials include Caesars Interactive Entertainment and Mobile Gaming Technologies dba ‘CashBet’—as a partner and head of affiliate operations for ThePropsNetwork.com. Seasoned television producer Sam Cotler serves as the brand’s co-founder and head of content, developing original podcasts and video entertainment, such as “Just for Sport,” hosted by 4X Emmy winning sports anchor Jumoke Davis, and “Pile It On” with co-hosts Steve Clark and Joel Walkowski, aka “The Professional Gambler” both accredited writers, producers, and comedians.
Walkowski also co-hosts “Inaction: The Quarantine Quiz Show,” a comedy game show ThePropsNetwork.com debuted in April “to help sports fans pass the pandemic.” The show is co-hosted by comedian Donnie Sengsstack.
When the casino and sports world shuttered in March, the team brokered a monumental sports and gambling media deal. The outcome being one of the first pro sporting events to return in the US. The high volume, live, professional, men’s and women’s Tennis series is now an available betting market on sportsbooks worldwide and broadcast daily on ESPN3.
Piasecki credits the brand leadership team’s diverse experience with giving The Props Network a competitive edge: “Collectively, we understand what gamblers—and specifically sports bettors—want in terms of original online content, and we have the capability to deliver it,” he says. “The result is a true media brand that sets a new standard of quality for interactive gaming and, now more than ever, helps fill a void for sports fans who are missing that avenue of entertainment.”
SOURCE The Props Network
Canada
absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Alex Malchenko Head of Sales at Evoplay
Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment

Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has partnered with Caesars Entertainment to expand its footprint in the Canadian market, following its initial entry earlier this year. The partnership integrates 20 of the studio’s top-performing titles onto Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in Ontario, including fan-favourites such as Hot Triple Sevens, Triple Chili, and The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy.
Having announced its official entrance into Ontario in March, the collaboration with Caesars marks a significant step in Evoplay’s local strategy. Further standout releases, such as Inner Fire Bonus Buy and Hot Volcano, also launched as part of the initial package, with additional player favourites, including Fruit Nova and Ice Mania.
The collaboration underlines Evoplay’s commitment to working with leading operators to deliver high-quality content tailored to regional audiences.
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Launching with Caesars in Ontario marks a key milestone in our North American strategy.
“It reflects both the strength of our portfolio and our commitment to providing innovative, high-performing content to operators of the highest caliber.”
Ricardo Cornejo Rivas, Vice President of Online Gaming at Caesars Digital, said: “Evoplay brings a fresh and dynamic approach to online gaming, which we’re excited to offer to our players in Ontario. This portfolio of standout titles adds to our growing content library and furthering our ongoing goal of delivering top-tier entertainment experiences to our players.”
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Canada
iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO

The iGaming Ontario Board of Directors has announced Joseph Hillier as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 8, 2025. Joseph’s depth in the Ontario igaming market combined with successful public and private sector careers make him the ideal President and CEO at this critical point in iGaming Ontario’s growth.
Joseph was most recently Chief Strategy Officer and Corporate Secretary at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), where he delivered significant strategic and regulatory initiatives across the province’s alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors. Prior to the AGCO, he served as Chief of Staff to Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey and led the development, launch and implementation of Canada’s first private sector-driven igaming market and the creation of iGaming Ontario. Joseph also spent more than a decade working in the financial and legal services sectors.
The Board expressed its sincere thanks to David Smith for serving as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since Martha Otton’s retirement.
The post iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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