

Canada
ODDS ON COMPLIANCE UNVEILS GAMBLING AND TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ALL-STAR ADVISORY BOARD
Odds On Compliance, the industry-leading technology and consultancy firm specializing in sports betting, iGaming, and gambling compliance and regulatory frameworks in the US and abroad, has unveiled Tom Auriemma, Michelle Chatigny, Robin Chhabra and Sanjay Chopra as the industry experts who comprise the company’s newly formed Advisory Board.
Tom Auriemma was a pioneer of the New Jersey gaming industry and spent 28 years as a casino regulator in that State culminating in his appointment as the Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Auriemma now currently serves as the Chairman of the Compliance Committees for MGM Resorts International, Penn National Gaming and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment. Joining Auriemma on the Odds On Compliance advisory board is Michelle Chatigny, a 20-year veteran of IGT where she was Vice President, Global Regulatory and Product Compliance, before joining Wynn Resorts, Limited’s Compliance Committee, a position she has held since August 2018. Robin Chhabra is the third expert lending his experience and knowledge to Odds On Compliance. Chhabra is President of Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp., and has previous experience including being CEO and Special Advisor to FOXBet, Chief Corporate Development Officer of The Stars Group, and Group Director of Strategy and Corporate Development at William Hill. Sanjay Chopra completes the Advisory Board. Chopra is Co-Founder and CEO of Cognistx, the AI specialists with whom Odds On already has a previously announced partnership.
“I am extremely proud and honored to welcome such a distinguished group of experts to Odds On Compliance as our advisory board,” said Odds On Compliance CEO and Co-Founder Eric Frank. “In our initial group of four we have some of the smartest, most experienced people in their respective industries worldwide, and they will play a strong role in helping us shape the future of our business as we grow and expand in 2022 and beyond. At our core, Odds On Compliance is a technology business, so having the experience that Sanjay brings from Cognistx is invaluable for our whole team, but we are a tech business which specializes in regulatory compliance in the sports betting, iGaming, and gambling industries, in the US and abroad, so Michelle, Tom and Robin very neatly complement Sanjay, giving us the benefit of their combined knowledge, leadership, and experience. We are excited to welcome them all to our team and look forward to working with them in an exciting 2022 and beyond.”
Tom Auriemma is one of the casino industry’s leading gaming attorneys and consultants and is the 2019 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Gaming Advisors for his many contributions to the gaming industry. He is the Chairman of three Compliance Committees: Penn National Gaming, Inc., MGM Resorts International, and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment. Previously, he was Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Chief Compliance Officer for Penn National Gaming, Inc. Auriemma was a pioneer of the New Jersey gaming industry, and spent 28 years as a casino regulator in that State before culminating in his appointment as the Director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Auriemma received his Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law where he graduated second in his class.
Michelle Chatigny was previously with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. After her departure she joined IGT, one of the world’s largest gaming suppliers that was licensed and conducting business in every jurisdiction in the world where gaming was legal. As acknowledged by regulators, IGT set the “gold standard” for compliance in the gaming industry. Michelle remained with IGT for just over 20 years and was responsible for its global compliance efforts, including but not limited to licensing, product approvals, suitability determinations, corporate security, the IGT Compliance Committee, as well as the Company’s Code of Conduct, and internal integrity reporting matters. Michelle previously served on The Stars Group Compliance and Political Activities Committees, and currently serves on the Wynn Resorts, Limited Compliance Committee, a position she has held since August 2018. She was also elected to the Wynn Resorts, Limited Special Litigation Committee in October 2018. Michelle is currently a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law and the International Association of Gaming Advisors.
Robin Chhabra is President of Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp and has been at the forefront of corporate acquisition activity within the digital gaming landscape for over a decade. His experience includes leading corporate strategy, M&A, and business development at two of the global leaders in the digital gaming industry, The Stars Group and William Hill, and a leading supplier, Inspired Gaming Group. At The Stars Group, Robin was Chief Corporate Development Officer, and served as the CEO of FOX Bet, the leading U.S. online gaming business which is the product of a landmark partnership between The Stars Group and FOX Sports, a transaction which he led. While with The Stars Group, Robin led several transactions which transformed The Stars Group into the largest publicly listed online gambling operator in the world with revenues of over $2.5 billion. Previously, he was Group Director of Strategy and Corporate Development at William Hill, where he led transactions which transformed the company from a land-based gambling operator in the United Kingdom to a leading online-led international business. This included William Hill’s entry into the U.S. sports betting and online lottery markets via the acquisition of four businesses.
Sanjay Chopra is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cognistx, a six-year-old applied AI company with several high impact AI applications for retail, cybersecurity, supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing. Chopra is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Intellions, a pricing software company. He has over 28 years of expertise in AI, e-commerce strategy, business development and technology and is the winner of the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 award for OnlineChoice. He actively participates in promoting entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh and was the Founding Chair of Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners, and a founding charter member of the TiE Pittsburgh. He has also consulted for Goldman Sachs in various strategy and e-commerce projects, and has worked as a software engineer/manager at Federated Investors, Carnegie Group, and Allegheny Management Company. He is an Adjunct Professor of e-Commerce at Carnegie Mellon University and holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University (GSIA – Tepper Business School), a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and Bachelors in Computer Technology from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT – REC), Bhopal, India.
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.
AGCO
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

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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