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REGISTRATION OPEN – Ontario’s iGaming Market Turns 1!

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CGA is inviting industry professionals to mark the 1st anniversary of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market on April 4, 2023. Our one-day program will examine both the success and progress of the market, critical and emerging issues, and celebrate first-year achievements.

Program Preview

Opening Remarks

Ontario’s gaming agencies will open our day sharing their organization’s unique experiences and successes from the first year of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market.

  • Martha Otton, Executive Director, iGaming Ontario
  • Dave Phillips, Chief Operating Officer Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario
  • David Pridmore, Chief Gaming Officer, Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG)

Using Technology to Set New Standards for Fair and Responsible Gaming

The responsible gaming (RG) standards in Ontario’s iGaming market are some of the most robust in North America. Our panel will discuss the requirements for operators to actively monitor players, assess risk, interact with players, and the technology and tools available to assist. Offering insight on what the industry has learned to date and how it can focus on future practices.

  • Moderator: Shelley White, Responsible Gambling Council
  • Brent McCurdy, Deputy COO, Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario

Advertising is a Shared Responsibility

The gaming industry, broadcasters, and professional sports leagues have a shared responsibility in promoting sports betting. Our panel will examine the work these sectors are undertaking to encourage responsible betting, the data on advertising metrics and volumes, and how stakeholders are working together to build a sustainable, cooperative ecosystem.

  • Moderator: Catherine MacLeod, President & CEO, ThinkTV
  • Dale Hooper, General Manager Canada, FanDuel 
  • Scott Woodgate, Vice President, Bet MGM  
  • David Thomson, Managing Director, NFL Canada

Guiding and Educating Customers in Ontario 

Affiliates play an important role in helping guide and educate players. Given the ban on the public offering of bonuses and promotions, affiliates must find new ways to attract customers that don’t involve dollar figures, and customers have lots of questions about this newly regulated industry. This panel will discuss key learnings from other jurisdictions and offer opinions on what a “made in Ontario” framework could look like.

  • Moderator: JD McNamara, Country Director, Better Collective
  • Andrew Garven, Head of Marketing, Covers
  • Nic Sulsky, COO, PointsBet Canada

Keynote Session: Ontario Industry Leaders on Ontario’s First Year 

Join leaders from Ontario igaming operators as they look back on the first year of Ontario’s iGaming market: overall impressions, the Ontario consumer, and what it was like establishing a footprint in what is arguably North America’s most competitive market when so much is still evolving.

  • Moderator: Jeff Harris, National Leader, Sport Business Advisory, Deloitte Canada 
  • Scott Vanderwel, CEO, PointsBet Canada 
  • Benjie Levy, Head of Penn Interactive & COO, theScore

Closing Remarks

Closing remarks will be delivered by Hon. Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario.


Registration

Event Date, Time & Location

  • Tuesday April 4th
  • 10:00AM – 5:00PM ET
  • Toronto Board of Trade
  • 100 Queen’s Quay East, 3rd Floor

Registration Cost

  • CGA Members $55.00
  • Non-Members $95.00
  • Government Agencies $55.00

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Opens with Legendary Guitar Smash and Star-Studded Celebration

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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.

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“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.

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MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition

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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).

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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.

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AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

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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.

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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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