Canada
Esports Powerhouse ReKTGlobal Acquires Digital Media Agency Fearless Media

ReKTGlobal, the global esports business authority and parent company of professional esports organizations Rogue and the London Royal Ravens, announces its acquisition of New York-based Fearless Media, a full service data driven media agency specializing in entertainment, gaming, consumer electronics and technology verticals with a dynamic approach to modern marketing. Fearless Media is known for creating integrated global advertising campaigns in collaboration with some of the world’s biggest consumer companies such as PSYONIX, Valve, Turtle Beach, Bethesda, Epic Games, THQ Nordic, Redbox, GuitarWorld and LessonFace.
Founded in 2009 by Cara Scharf, Fearless Media is focused on elevating brands through its unique approach to marketing analytics and insights to develop marketing strategies and execute campaigns that drive revenue and help clients understand holistically how their media dollars are performing. In recent years, Scharf was awarded Acquisitions International’s Most Innovative Marketing Business Leader in 2019, Creative Women in Marketing by Aspioneer in 2019 and Top NY Women in Business by Oprah Magazine & Entrepreneur in 2018. Fearless Media was also named as one of Clutch’s Top New York Marketing & Advertising Agencies in the U.S. in 2018.
To further solidify relationships across all verticals, the deal will bring together Fearless Media’s extensive media network, brand partners and marketing experts, to add another layer to ReKTGlobal’s growing marketing division, making it a complete solution for brands.
“ReKTGlobal’s acquisition of Fearless Media is unlike any other in the esports industry,” said Dave Bialek, CEO of ReKTGlobal. “It allows us to fully support the growing demand for advertising and marketing solutions to the gaming and esports community, as we continue to build our industry leading esports marketing portfolio.”
Cara Scharf, Founder of Fearless Media added, “We pride ourselves on bringing next level digital marketing solutions to our clients across a multitude of industries,” said Cara Scharf, Founder of Fearless Media. “Now through ReKTGlobal, we have the opportunity for cross-pollination across all of our amazing brand partners.”
“We’re excited to welcome Fearless Media to the ReKTGlobal network,” commented John Benyamine, CEO and Co-Founder of Greenlit Content. “With the backing of ReKTGlobal, we have continued to grow our esports audience, and with Fearless Media coming aboard, we’ll have the ability to connect with an even wider audience to drive integrated marketing solutions across social and traditional media on a global level.”
The acquisition of Fearless Media comes on the heels of ReKTGlobal’s partnership with creator management phenom, TalentX Entertainment, to launch a new joint venture TalentX Gaming (TXG) this past May. Coupled with ReKTGlobal’s position as a global esports leader that bridges the gap between the multi-billion-dollar esports industry and the worlds of music, entertainment and traditional sports, TXG leverages the “creator first” talent development and social media monetization prowess of TalentX. TalentX took the influencer management industry by storm by growing a roster of the top one percent of TikTokkers in just six months, including members of the company’s recently created Sway House — Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson, Anthony Reeves, Bryce Hall, Kio Cyr and Jaden Hossler — which racked up one million followers on their group TikTok account in the first month.
Last year, ReKTGlobal acquired New Jersey-based Greenlit Content, a hybrid company that is behind some of gaming’s most popular sites including TwinGalaxies.com, Shacknews.com, GameDaily.Biz and PrimaGames.com. Greenlit creates viral branded gaming content, events and activations in collaboration with some of the world’s most popular consumer companies such as Xbox, HyperX, Chips Ahoy!, Warner Bros., NBC Sports, State Farm, Turtle Beach and Redbox. The company reaches up to 100 million gamers monthly through specially curated video, social and editorial content. Combined, the monumental merger’s assets include 8 esports teams, 36 influencers, celebrity talent including music legends Tainy, Steve Aoki and Imagine Dragons, and 30+ client brand partners.
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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.
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