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Safe, festive ways to celebrate the holidays at the Plaza Hotel & Casino and Oscar’s steakhouse

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As the end of 2020 approaches, many families and businesses are looking for ways to celebrate in a safe yet festive manner. Home to the largest ballroom in downtown Las Vegas and the award-winning Oscar’s steakhouse, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is offering holiday luncheon and dinner options for small groups in line with its #MaskOnMeetOn Initiative that outlines enhanced health and safety protocols for meetings and events as directed by federal, state and local health agencies.

“The holiday season is upon us, and people deserve the opportunity to celebrate in a safe, relaxed manner,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “The Plaza and Oscar’s can provide a beautiful space and a delicious menu, prepared and served by our expert culinary staff, while observing all mandated health and safety protocols, to allow small groups of friends and family the chance to celebrate the holidays and toast the end of 2020.”

To ensure social distancing, this holiday season Oscar’s steakhouse can accommodate a total of 165 guests spread out over the main dining room under the glass dome (79), the lounge (32) and private dining room (54). Oscar’s offers various group dining menus and packages, including a selection of hors d’oeuvres and 3- or 4-course plated dinners.

The Plaza’s 30,000 sq. ft. of convention space can accommodate groups less than 250 people (per current state standards) and be transformed into smaller spaces with floor-to-ceiling sound buffering air walls to separate groups. In addition to three standalone meeting rooms, the 19,000 sq. ft. Sierra Ballroom can be divided into 10 rooms.

Inside the convention space, the Plaza’s professional event planning and catering team can develop customized menus, including a plated holiday luncheon starting at $25 per person and a plated dinner starting at $30 per person. Catered dinners will include a complimentary holiday toast to send off 2020. A winter wonderland photo opportunity background can also be set up upon request for selfies during the event.

The Plaza’s #MaskOnMeetOn Initiative outlines numerous protocols for event planning and execution to help ensure the health and safety of attendees, including mandatory face coverings and social distancing. The Plaza also offers customized technology solutions, such as live web streaming and engaging social media interaction for all attendees, onsite and remotely.

Other #MaskOnMeetOn protocols include the continual sanitization of frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, tables and chairs; no shared culinary services such as buffets or water stations; numerous hand sanitizer stations; and a mandatory wellness check point with a temperature screening for all guests. Air quality automation system in all meeting and conference spaces has also been adjusted to provide 100 percent fresh air 24 hours a day to achieve 14-16 air exchanges per hour.

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Canada

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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