Canada
Live Now, Izanami Becomes Queen of Cards & Chibi Bots Take Over SMITE

SMITE’s latest update, out today, marks the start of three distinct events, the Heavenly Light major event, the Chibi Bots Battle Pass, plus a Birthday Celebration event. Each in its own way has free rewards for players to unlock.
The four month long Heavenly Light event has now started, featuring dozens of purchasable skins plus quest lines. The collection reward is Hi-Rez’s new top-of-the-line shapeshifting skin: Queen of Cards Izanami. This Unlimited skin can only be unlocked as a bonus for purchasing the entire event.
Izanami, the Japanese matron of the dead, has been chosen to become SMITE’s new ‘Tier 5’ skin, meaning one that rotates between several forms and evolves according to player actions during matches. Queen of Cards Izanami has four different forms, each representing a card suit – Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, and Clubs – and each as distinct as a separate skin.
For the first time in SMITE, this skin features its own quest system and is able to evolve permanently, not just for the current match. The Queen of Cards demands that her subjects entertain her – preferably by spilling the blood of enemy Gods. Each time she gets a kill or assist, she draws four cards. When it’s four of a kind, players permanently unlock a special emote for the current form, with entirely different animations.
Battle Pass: Chibi Bots
It may be hard to choose the best theme for a Battle Pass, yet SMITE has found the ultimate one: a fusion between what players love the most – Chibi Gods and mecha Gods.
Starting today, four adorable Chibi Bots skins can be unlocked in the latest Battle Pass. Everyone progresses simply by playing matches, gaining access to dozens of rewards, including some for free such as the Intruder Bot skin for Cupid. Purchasing the Chibi Bots Battle Pass grants access to all rewards, including the other three robotic stars: Beaky Bot, Freezy Bot, and Doom Bot.
Birthday celebration event
During the Heavenly Light Update, SMITE is celebrating its 8th launch anniversary! Through a special in-game event, all birthday gifts go to the community as a token of gratitude, using a structure that has proved extremely popular.
A wide variety of prizes can be unlocked each day just by playing, including the new Husky Handler skin for Skadi, Boosters, Gems, and player-made cosmetics the SMITE team selected during a contest. Those include memey global emotes showcasing Khepri’s giving out free hugs and Candy Shop Achilles coming out of a giant birthday cake.
Countless new combinations in custom games
Delivering a community request, new settings are now available for custom games. Playing with friends or for community events and tournaments, everyone can now use the exact same conditions as the World Championship – or quite the contrary, you can go wild with the craziest settings such as infinite gold, no mana costs, outrageous cooldown reduction, and more.
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AGLC
AGLC Announces New Board Chair

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has announced the appointment of Larry Spagnolo as the new Board Chair, effective August 15, 2025. This announcement follows the official Order in Council issued by the Alberta Government and marks a new chapter in AGLC’s ongoing commitment to support communities, encourage responsible choices and position Alberta as the best place to do business.
Larry brings a wealth of experience in technology and business leadership to the AGLC Board and will play an integral role in guiding AGLC’s strategic direction. He is currently serving as VP and GM of Emerson’s SaaS SCADA business and has held senior roles at Zedi and Telus, driving innovation, growth, and global success.
A strong advocate for education and community, Larry serves as Vice Chair of Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and has held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community contributions.
AGLC and the Board of Directors extend their heartfelt thanks to Len Rhodes for his leadership and dedication as Board Chair since August 2019. He decided not to seek a third term and will continue to serve in this role until August 14, 2025. Len led AGLC through some significant milestones, including reducing red tape by 51%, growth of the emerging cannabis industry and ensuring AGLC delivered a balanced approach to business development, social responsibility, and regulatory oversight.
The post AGLC Announces New Board Chair appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Bonus Guardian
Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut

EveryMatrix has expanded its partnership with tier-1 operator Pinnacle powering its new casino in Ontario, Canada, using CasinoEngine platform technology – the first time its platform solution has gone live in North America.
The latest agreement builds on the two companies’ previous collaboration that saw EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine productivity platform power the well-known brand’s global casino offering.
The new launch takes the relationship to North America, marking EveryMatrix’s debut CasinoEngine platform integration in that market.
BonusEngine, EveryMatrix’s cross-vertical bonusing tool will be integrated in the second phase of launch. This will equip Pinnacle Ontario with a host of bonus types as well as AI-powered bonus abuse solution Bonus Guardian.
BonusEngine is the first of multiple engagement tools from EveryMatrix’s EngageSuite that Pinnacle plans to integrate.
With this comprehensive toolkit at its disposal, and the opportunity to add even more casino products in the future, Pinnacle Ontario can tailor campaigns, segment audiences, and reward players more effectively, creating a world-class digital entertainment experience for its customers.
EveryMatrix has more than 300 global customers and holds North American licences in Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Stian Enger Petersen, CEO, Casino, EveryMatrix, said: “This launch marks a key milestone for EveryMatrix as we bring our market-leading CasinoEngine platform to Canada for the first time.
“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Pinnacle and support their ambitions in Ontario with a powerful combination of platform, content, and engagement tools that are proven to drive success.”
The post Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release

As CEO of Prime Skill Games Inc., I feel compelled to address recent comments made by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regarding so-called unapproved gambling machines in convenience stores across the province.
Let me be perfectly clear
Our machines are not gambling devices. They are entirely skill-based, fully compliant with the law, and built on the fundamental idea that players are in control. The outcome of every session is determined solely by the player’s ability, not by random chance.
Prime Skill Games is proud to be the only true skill game operating in Ontario today.
We categorically reject any suggestion that our products fall under the definition of unregulated gambling. Such statements are inaccurate, misleading, and fail to recognize the critical distinction between games of skill and games of chance.
We stand firmly behind the legality of our machines and the integrity of our operations. We will demonstrate this through every available means, whether through legal documentation, expert analysis, or, if necessary, before the courts. We are prepared and unafraid to defend the truth.
To our players, partners, and business community, we want to reassure you that our mission has not changed. We are committed to offering a responsible, transparent, and innovative entertainment experience. We will not be intimidated by broad and baseless accusations, and we will continue to move forward with strength and clarity.
Sincerely
Matt Zamroźniak
Chief Executive Officer
Prime Skill Games Inc.
The post Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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