Canada
Crown Royal Partners With Columbia Records To Unite Artists And NBA 2k League Teams Through Virtual Music & Gaming Series, Featuring Hawks Talon Gaming And Detroit Pistons GT

As the professional basketball season comes to a close, basketball fans everywhere can continue their love of the game at home with the launch of the Crown Royal and Columbia Records gaming collaboration: The Crown Crossover – Music, Gaming and Culture Series. This six-episode series streams on the official Crown Royal Facebook page, featuring Columbia Records artists Quinn XCII, Joey Bada$$, CHASE B and more, playing NBA 2K. This unique partnership sits at the intersections of gaming, music and basketball, with each artist connecting and competing with top gamers, including iPodKingCarter, Aerial Powers, Erin Ashley Simon and Mike LaBelle.
During the weekly livestream series, a Columbia Records artist, two NBA 2K League players from the Detroit Pistons GT or Hawks Talon Gaming, and gamer will be discussing their latest projects and basketball, engaging with 21+ fans, and enjoying a Crown Royal cocktail responsibly. The first two episodes featured Columbia artist Quinn XCII, and fans will be able to watch the final four episodes with Joey Bada$$ and Chase B every Wednesday this month.
In addition to the Columbia Records partnership, Crown Royal has inked team deals with two official NBA 2K League affiliates, the Hawks Talon Gaming and Detroit Pistons GT. As part of these deals, Crown Royal will be working with each team to engage with fans at this exciting connection of gaming and esports.
“Our partnership with Columbia Records, the Pistons GT and Hawks Talon for The Crown Crossover livestream is another way for us to take our passion and love for the game of basketball and bring it directly to our fans,” said Nicky Heckles, Vice President of Crown Royal. “This weekly experience brings some of the league’s brightest stars, professional gamers and musicians together in a way we can’t help but be excited about.”
Hosts include Jeff Eisenband and Phil Visu. In total, there will be six episodes through the end of August.
“Being able to bring together music and gaming culture into one program with our partners at Crown Royal is an authentic match,” said Hannah Satzke, Brand Partnerships Columbia Records. “We are excited to launch this series with Crown Royal and our incredible group of talent.”
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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.”
The post Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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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