Canada
Riot Games and GRID Esports Partner to Create the Future of Data-Driven VALORANT Esports Ecosystem

Riot Games and GRID Esports, sign an exclusive two-year partnership to bring VALORANT data assets onto GRID’s Data platform making them accessible to data-reliant audiences.
The goal of the partnership is to leverage the potential of gaming data to create innovative experiences, drive fan engagement and empower interactive broadcast solutions to provide a robust VALORANT ecosystem and benchmark for the esports industry.
GRID Esports will be trusted with the distribution of all official VALORANT Esports data assets across the main global and regional tournaments – including Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Data assets include granular in-game statistics for players, teams, and matchups, that will be made available on the GRID Data Platform in the coming months.
“VALORANT is the esports scene disruptor. One of the youngest competitive gaming titles has already amassed an incredible number of fans, dedicated professional players and managed to establish a thriving, diverse esports scene. It would not be possible if not for the professionalism and direct involvement of the Publisher – Riot Games. Riot’s proven, holistic approach to growing their titles’ presence is a unique model we want to support with GRID’s technology.” says Moritz Maurer, CEO of GRID Esports, “At GRID the alignment with our partners is our highest priority. In joining forces with Riot we aim to establish the GRID Data Platform as a firm foundation for VALORANT’s exceptional ecosystem sustainable, data-driven, growth.”’
GRID’s technology is designed to capitalize on the potential of esports data for storytelling and fan engagement. GRID’s approach is unique in the industry – the company exclusively handles official data assets and recognizes the IP of the game publishers at the core of its business model.
Riot Games introduced VALORANT in 2020 and the game has instantly become a globally-acclaimed competitive first person shooter (FPS) title, boasting an active player base of more than 15 million monthly players. For two consecutive years, VALORANT has been growing its audience and expanding esports presence with the latest addition of new regional leagues or extended support for third-party organizers.
“Riot Games endeavors to grow our sports and enable community engagement,” said John Knauss, Esports Competitive Data Programs Lead with Riot Games. “Our audience is the most engaged in the entire global esports ecosystem, and we want to continue to foster that engagement with ever-evolving ways of interacting with our sports. We are excited for the future of VALORANT, its growth, and opportunities to deepen fandom by enabling new products and experiences.”
“The potential of esports data assets exceeds traditional sports counterparts due to the digital nature of video games, and the ability to extract data through direct game integrations. These integrations lead to unparalleled levels of accuracy and granularity.” Moritz goes on to explain,
“The unlimited potential for innovation in the field of data-driven entertainment presents a unique opportunity for Publishers to capitalize on the extraordinary ecosystem for their game titles. The partnership with GRID’s Data Platform, which was created specifically for this industry, allows game publishers to unlock the potential of their data assets and game IP.”
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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.
Canada
IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement

International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (hereinafter “IGT”), signed an eight-year agreement with Atlantic Lottery to supply its IntelligenEVO video lottery central system technology across Atlantic Canada. The agreement includes the option for multiple extensions and positions the Atlantic Lottery to become the first World Lottery Association (WLA)-affiliated lottery operator to deploy IGT’s next-generation central management system in a game-to-system (G2S) distributed market.
“By leveraging IGT’s IntelligenEVO technology, Atlantic Lottery will power its video lottery network with the industry’s best-in-class central system and position itself to maximize future contributions to good causes. As an organization that prioritizes system security and exceptional player experiences, Atlantic Lottery believes that IGT’s IntelliegnEVO solution will help generate high player satisfaction and optimal network performance,” said Michael MacKinnon, Atlantic Lottery VP, Product.
“As a long-time supplier to Atlantic Lottery, IGT looks forward to helping the Lottery achieve its growth and player engagement goals with our leading-edge IntelligenEVO video lottery central system. IGT’s IntelligenEVO is a scalable technology for the WLA market that is backed by decades of experience and operator feedback, and maximizes the benefits of real-time data, cloud-based technologies and in-depth analytics,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA and LATAM, Gaming Sales.
With peak system security, network availability and responsible gaming functionalities, IntelligenEVO is a reliable, scalable solution that can meet the needs of today and in the future. The solution will accelerate time-to-market and enables the Atlantic Lottery to benefit from the system’s suite of player-focused functionality. The technology’s G2S and open API design optimizes data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customize their program for evolving player needs.
The post IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetRivers
NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform

NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
The post NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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