Canada
SportCaller teams up with Dimers to drive acquisition and retention stateside
Free-to-play specialist enters into JV with Australian outfit targeting the U.S.
SportCaller, the leading free-to-play (F2P) sports-game provider, has entered into a joint-venture agreement with breakout sports-betting affiliate brand Dimers.com, as the pair bid to drive user engagement and customer acquisition for sportsbooks across the rapidly unfolding North American landscape.
Dimers.com is the flagship offering from digital dynamo, iRival Media, whose content-driven mission is to equip US sports fans with the latest news, tools, analysis and live odds with which to comprehensively understand and enjoy sports betting. After all, in this greenfield U.S. environment, educating players as to the various intricacies of gambling terminology is of paramount importance.
Accordingly, this new venture aims to deliver informative content and innovative free-to-play games whose gameplay, and clearly-articulated language, cut through the jargon and remove any barriers to engagement. As an award-winning specialist in the key domains of acquisition and retention, SportCaller’s F2P expertise and flexible proprietary platform provide a proven path for operators to acquire and retain loyal players at low cost while also staying fully compliant in both regulated and non-regulated states.
The pioneering PointsBet sportsbook has been confirmed as the first operator partner for this progressive affiliate which will draw on SportCaller’s unique channeling capabilities to ensure players are served with intuitive, contextual bet-prompts which deliver reliable convert-to-bet rates, premised on each customer’s unique game selections with PointsBet, or any other platform partner.
This partnership’s initial launch will focus around the NBA Finals, with the rollout of two new games, The Dimers Dozen (12 simple prediction questions for a jackpot of $12k across the NBA Finals) and Sweet Six (six questions for $1k on each game of the concluding championship series. In turn, these games will naturally evolve into monthly and weekly editions across other mainstream U.S. sports, where they will be joined by Lock N Roll – an easy-trigger, streak-style game featuring highly-winnable daily prizes.
The past year has seen SportCaller bolster its presence and influence in the US, launching double-digit games for new clients including CBS, BetMGM and leading sportsbook-DFS operator FanDuel. As a result, the F2P specialist is bridging the gap between operators, affiliates, media companies and sports franchises, establishing F2P as a standalone vertical in its own right.
Cillian Barry, MD at SportCaller, said: “It’s great to see U.S. sports back in full swing, even behind closed doors, from the NBA Finals to the renewed NFL season and the recent US Opens in both tennis and golf. However, with this COVID-19-induced daylight between fans and the sports they love, creative content has never been more vital, reconnecting fans with the action they crave.
“Consequently, this partnership with Dimers was a no-brainer – allying our own F2P smarts with a very successful affiliate site boasting a proven pedigree in leveraging the betting revolution in the States. Our compelling and diverse game formats are primed to deliver unrivalled conversion levels, from recreational visitors to registration, and on to fully-completed entries. It’s an exciting time.”
Adam Fiske, Co-Founder at iRival Media / Dimers.com, added: “We’re naturally delighted to team up with SportCaller as Dimers goes through the gears stateside. As the definitive F2P platform, they offer elastic formats for affiliates and operators to acquire and engage repeat players whose long-term value is far greater than those customers who might typically populate a standard CPA scheme.
“SportCaller’s versatile range of F2Ps is now ramping up engagement through a series of games, targeting sportsbook and DFS-reared audiences with player-education and augmented activity at their heart. This matches up perfectly with Dimers’ mission statement: free, fun and accessible for all – regardless of whether you bet on sports or not. That sense of responsible community informs everything we do.”
Canada
Soft2Bet’s Brand ToonieBet Named an Official Sports Betting and Casino Partner of the CFL

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.
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.
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