Connect with us

Canada

Lexus returns to the Esports Awards as Steve Aoki and Xavier Woods are named as award presenters

Published

on

 

The luxury automaker goes all-in as it returns as a sponsor for the Esports Awards for the second year in a row. 

The Oscars of esports will take place on the 21st of November and play host to some of the biggest names in esports and beyond. 

The Esports Awards, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, is pleased to announce luxury automaker, Lexus, is returning as a sponsor for the second year in a row marking its commitment to supporting the competitive gaming generation. This year Lexus will be the title sponsor and sponsor two awards including Esports Personality of the Year which will be presented by superstar DJ Steve Aoki, and Streamer of the Year which will be handed out by WWE legend Xavier Woods.

Lexus and Esports Awards will also work together on exclusive content pieces which will be shown during the main ceremony. This year’s Esports Awards will be a unique and immersive virtual event going beyond what has been seen in the space. The Esports Awards partnership with Lexus began back in 2019 as the brand made its first steps in the esports space with a glamorous edge. Lexus provided a selection of supercars from the likes of Black Panther and Men in Black International films as well as the GS F10th Anniversary Edition which took center stage at the main ceremony at Esports Stadium Arlington.

“As competitive gaming continues to grow in popularity, Lexus is proud to return to the Esports Awards and go all-in as title sponsor,” said Lisa Materazzo, vice president of Lexus marketing. “This year’s virtual Esports Awards will be an extraordinary opportunity to come together and create memorable moments while celebrating the industry’s best.”

“2020 has been a challenging year for a number of businesses and events in particular. While we would have loved to produce a physical event to showcase the industry’s talent and celebrate a milestone year, we now have the opportunity to create something completely unique in the digital space in which we thrive. Our team has embraced the unique challenge and working with Live CGI, created a truly ground breaking show in the Unreal Engine. It’s great to have Lexus supporting the space and recognising the potential and significance of a digital event that can reach millions globally. It also speaks volumes to double down on esports after a successful 2019 activation at the Esports Awards 2019, at the Esports Stadium, in Arlington, Texas. The awards celebrate excellence and to us, Lexus represents excellence in luxury cars making them the perfect fit as a title sponsor,” said Michael Ashford, Managing Director, Esports Awards.

2020 marks a landmark year for the Esports Awards as it celebrates its fifth year of recognising and celebrating esports excellence. Regarded as the Oscars of esports, the ceremony plays hosts to some of the biggest and most coveted brands, teams, organizations, and personalities that the industry has to offer. This year’s event will be a truly unique virtual showcase that will incorporate all the usual prestige while providing an evening of unforgettable memories. With a total of 37 awards available across both the Esports Awards Prelude and Main Event, viewers will have access to more content than ever before. A recording-breaking 5.1 million votes were counted for this year’s event.

This year the Esports Awards has joined forces with Esports Insider to create the Esports Assemble, four days of best in class B2B content which will provide unparalleled insights from the biggest brands and industry thought-leaders. Esports Assemble will take place from the 18th-21st November and play host to ESI Digital Winter, Esports Awards Expo before concluding with the Esports Awards ceremony. Tickets for Esports Assemble are available now at Esports Awards and Esports Insider and start at £75.

The 2020 Esports Awards officially kicks off on live on Twitch on Friday 20th November with the Esports Awards Prelude at 9:00pm GMT / 10:00pm CET / 13:00pm PT and will culminate with the glamorous main event on Saturday 21st November at 9:00pm GMT / 10:00pm CET / 13:00pm PT.

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Canada

Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack

Published

on

group-from-ts’elxweyeqw-tribe-and-great-canadian-entertainment-announce-agreement-for-the-acquisition-of-elements-casino-chilliwack

Great Canadian Entertainment and a consortium group of certain communities from the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe, through an entity affiliated with Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd. (the “Ts’elxwéyeqw Group”), announced that on November 7th, 2025, they entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase by the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group from Great Canadian Entertainment of Elements Casino Chilliwack, one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia.

The Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe constitute seven First Nation communities and are the First People of the Chilliwack River watershed. The transaction represents a transformational milestone for the communities within the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group.

Elements Casino Chilliwack serves guests across the Fraser Valley and is Chilliwack’s top destination for gaming and entertainment, featuring over 300 slots, live and electronic table games, bingo, dining, live entertainment and more.

The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and the receipt of regulatory and other approvals. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Great Canadian Entertainment will continue to provide transitional services and support to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group for a period following closing.

“This purchase marks an exciting milestone for our Nations and for the entire territory. By coming together in partnership, we are not only investing in a strong business opportunity, but also in the future of our people. The revenues generated through this acquisition will help strengthen our communities, create new opportunities, and ensure our Nations continue to play a leading role in the local economy. Additionally, we believe that local community-based ownership of Elements Casino Chilliwack will further strengthen the broader Fraser Valley community and economy. It’s a proud moment that reflects how Indigenous leadership and collaboration can build a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone,” said Chief David Jimmie, Chief of Squiala First Nation and President of Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd.

“We are very excited to have entered into this agreement with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. We have had the privilege of being part of the Chilliwack community since we opened Elements Casino Chilliwack in 2012, and we believe that under the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group’s stewardship, the business will begin an exciting new chapter. For the team members and guests of Elements Casino Chilliwack, and the local community, we can think of no better owner for the business. We look forward to the closing and then working with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group team during the transition period,” said Matt Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian Entertainment.

McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal advisor and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. McMillan LLP is acting as legal advisor to Great Canadian Entertainment.

The post Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading

BetVictor

Canadian iGaming Growth Trends 2025: Data, Strategy, and the Brands Defining the Market

Published

on

canadian-igaming-growth-trends-2025:-data,-strategy,-and-the-brands-defining-the-market

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Canadian iGaming market has evolved from an emerging opportunity into one of the most competitive and innovative digital gaming arenas worldwide. Ontario’s regulated framework has paved the way for rapid expansion, attracting established international operators alongside ambitious newcomers that are carving out share through brand differentiation and data-driven acquisition.

Methodology: How Growth Was Measured

To understand which casino brands are gaining momentum and why, the award-winning Mr. Gamble Casino Trends Meter—a proprietary performance index powered by Semrush, Ahrefs, in-house click tracking, market benchmarks, and predictive analytics—analyzed year-over-year (YoY) performance from January–June 2024 versus January–June 2025. The results point to a vibrant, fiercely competitive landscape where execution, trust, and experience are the real drivers of sustained growth.

Brands Showing Standout Growth in 2025

Strong outperformance highlights different paths to scale

Wild Tokyo posted an extraordinary +134% YoY, showing how bold branding, a distinctive identity, and targeted acquisition can resonate with players seeking unique experiences. Clean yet edgy design, paired with robust SEO execution and engagement programs, helped the brand cut through a crowded market.

LuckyDays delivered +110% YoY by striking a balance between simplicity and substance. A minimalistic UX, a vast game library, and strong affiliate relationships have positioned it as a trusted destination for Canadian players.

BetVictor, a legacy operator with deep roots, recorded +107% YoY. Its evolution from traditional bookmaker to diversified iGaming powerhouse underscores how credibility and adaptability can translate into modern growth.

Agile mid-tier brands are also accelerating: SlotsMagic at +94% and Betibet at +88% demonstrate how focused SEO, analytics-led decision making, and smart promotional strategy can punch above weight.

Crypto-forward momentum and broader market depth

The joint rise of BetFury and SmokAce—both at +74%—signals growing acceptance of crypto and blockchain-based gaming among Canadian users, driven by transparency, fast payments, and a tech-forward ethos.

Meanwhile, Paripesa, Mond, and ComeOn maintained robust double-digit YoY growth, underscoring the market’s depth and diversity beyond a handful of headline names.

Market Maturity: Compliance, Trust, and UX Win

As more provinces explore regulated frameworks modeled on Ontario, competition is intensifying. The brands pulling ahead are those investing in compliance, transparency, and player satisfaction—prioritizing product quality and retention over short-term promotions.

“Players are becoming more selective, more informed, and more focused on trust,” says Paul Puolakka, CMO at Mr. Gamble. “We’re seeing a clear shift toward quality brands that prioritize experience, safety, and innovation—the ones achieving real, sustained growth.”

Puolakka adds: “Data doesn’t just tell us who’s growing—it shows us why. The operators succeeding in Canada are those that deeply understand their audience, use insights effectively, and build long-term value instead of chasing short-term hype.”

Trends Shaping the Next Phase of iGaming in Canada

  • Branding + data-led acquisition let emerging brands challenge incumbents more effectively than ever.
  • Crypto-friendly casinos are moving from niche to mainstream consideration for Canadian users.
  • SEO, content strategy, and affiliate partnerships remain reliable, capital-efficient growth levers.
  • Compliance, transparency, and UX are central to sustainable market share gains.

Looking Ahead

The fastest-growing casino brands capture more than impressive statistics—they reflect a market in transformation. With Wild Tokyo setting creative benchmarks and veterans like BetVictor and ComeOn proving that brand equity still matters, Canada’s iGaming sector is entering a phase defined by intelligent growth, regulatory maturity, and player empowerment.

As the industry continues to evolve, the Mr. Gamble Casino Trends Meter remains a useful compass for players, affiliates, and operators navigating this fast-changing landscape.

The post Canadian iGaming Growth Trends 2025: Data, Strategy, and the Brands Defining the Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Canada

Ezugi partners with PokerStars to further extend live casino game choice for players

Published

on

ezugi-partners-with-pokerstars-to-further-extend-live-casino-game-choice-for-players

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ezugi, an innovative live dealer casino supplier known for pushing the boundaries of live gaming, retention, and distribution solutions, is proud to announce a new partnership with PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site.

Through this partnership, PokerStars’ players in the UK and Ontario will gain access to Ezugi’s standout portfolio, including Revolution Roulette, Ultimate Roulette, Unlimited Blackjack and Lucky 7 online casino games.

PokerStars, launched in 2001, is one of the world’s leading online poker and casino brands and operates as part of Flutter Entertainment. It has grown to become the largest poker site globally, offering the widest selection of online games and hosting prestigious live tournaments.

Formed in 2012, Ezugi is a global live casino provider with a focus on meeting operator and player needs with best-of-breed localised content. The Ezugi games portfolio includes a wide range of live dealer games, many of which are unique. Ezugi became part of Evolution in 2018 and continues to build on its reputation for providing unique and innovative games and solutions for online casino and retail betting shop operators.

Gilad Ben-Ami, Chief Executive Officer at Ezugi, said: “PokerStars’ players already enjoy a wide range of live casino and online slot games from Evolution brands such as Evolution, NetEnt, Red Tiger and Big Time Gaming. Now Ezugi is delighted and honoured to add even more choice for PokerStars’ players with our own innovative games.”

Ben-Ami continued: “The release of Ezugi games to PokerStars clearly demonstrates the rich variety and innovative features of the Ezugi games portfolio. Ultimate Roulette is a unique multiplier Roulette that blends circus-themed fun and TV game show excitement; Revolution Roulette puts a unique spin on classic Roulette by adding special multiplier pockets to the wheel; Unlimited Blackjack allows an unlimited number of players to play at the table, while also featuring Auto-Split functionality and a choice of four side bets – Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Perfect 11 and Ten20; and Lucky 7 is a very popular game with its origins in the Indian subcontinent – a fast-paced, simple and exciting Hi-Lo card game.”

Ben-Ami concluded: “We are confident that PokerStars’ players will love playing these games and we look forward to adding more Ezugi titles for them in the future.”

The post Ezugi partners with PokerStars to further extend live casino game choice for players appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania