

Canada
CasinoUSA.com Updates Its Criteria for Evaluating Online Casino Sites
With the advancement of contemporary technology and the evolution of the internet, people have more online entertainment options than ever. Among the most popular options are online gambling sites. These have been around for over two decades but they have exploded in popularity in recent years, and there’s no reason to expect that trend will stop anytime soon.
All that is thanks to technological improvements that serve to make gambling more enjoyable, more accessible, and much safer. New players are often overwhelmed whenever they try online casinos as there are so many alternatives. Moreover, changing times mean that even online gaming veterans must keep up with the emerging trends redefining iGaming as we know it.
Keeping that in mind, CasinoUSA.com, a renowned online gambling review site and publication, has launched a new framework or strategy for analyzing crucial insights and criteria in the process of picking a dependable gambling platform. This is part of its quest to ensure that its recommendations are useful for both newbies and experienced gamblers.
What Will the Site Be Focusing On?
In the online gambling industry, the quality of the platform, business strategy, advertising efforts, the game portfolio, variety, and user experience are crucial markers of a great online casino. CasinoUSA.com will still be very strict about how it critiques online gambling sites based on these factors. Almost every site tried to have these covered which means they are now pretty much an industry standard.
However, the site will not be stopping at those. The comprehensive platform will also provide extensive assessments of the finest US casinos, with an emphasis on sites that specialize in value-added features. These will include such things as bonuses, ongoing promotions as well as highly-desired loyalty programs.
At the same time, safety and security are still key to the online gambling experience. This applies to both the player funds and data. CasinoUSA.com is very keen on ensuring that readers get access to nothing short of the safest, fairest, and most trustworthy online gambling adventures. The best way of ensuring that is by recommending only the best sites and ensuring players have all the necessary details going in.
“With the growing number of online casinos, it is hard to keep up with all the promotions and incentives. However, one thing is for sure — you need to be aware of welcome bonuses. When looking for a new online casino, determining its safety and exploring the bonuses are the most important aspects you should consider.”
Jayson Peter – Chief Editor at CasinoUSA.com
Readers will not need to worry about looking into the qualities of a site by themselves. CasinoUSA.com will be taking them through the whole review process step-by-step till they are in a position to decide for or against any given site.
Other Players’ Perspectives
Even though CasinoUSA.com certainly has accomplished casino veterans on its team, the site will be looking to extend the platform even further by allowing input from players. This will be key to ensuring that customers have relatable information from people who may have had similar experiences.
Some gamers are merely interested in obtaining a feel for the online casino before deciding whether to join. Every review will have a summary to appeal to such. This part should be brief, to the point, and provide a summary of the whole review. However, for those who are looking for more, the site will also cater to those needs.
It might be a bit difficult to tell the difference between a real and a phony review. Thankfully, the team has had enough experience to expertly sift through that information and identify a trustworthy online casino from user reviews.
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.
-
gaming3 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry8 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018