Canada
Hawks Talon GC Scout Matthew Morgan Answers Questions Before 2021 NBA 2K League Draft on Saturday, March 13
Hawks Talon Gaming Club will have three selections in the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft which will take place on Saturday, March 13. These picks are 11th overall (first round), 34th overall (second round) and 48th overall (third round). Helping Head Coach Wesley Acuff over the past few months with the scouting process has been @WalkOnWarriors (Xavier Daniel) and @MattMorg__ (Matthew Morgan). Below is a Q&A with @MattMorg_.
Name: Matthew Morgan | Gamertag: MattMorg_ | Twitter Handle: @MattMorg_
Q: Been Playing NBA 2K Since…
“2K9. It feels like forever, but I also started playing competitively in ProAm with 2K17.”
Q: What does it mean to you to have an opportunity to be a scout with Hawks Talon?
“It means the world to me, honestly. Being a former player and now a scout and an opportunity to get my foot in the door of the NBA 2K League with a great organization like Hawks Talon GC. They’ve welcomed me and appreciated what I can bring to the table. I can’t thank Coach Wes enough for the opportunity as well as the mentorship of what goes on behind the scenes in the league.”
Q: What do you look for when you scout players?
“As NBA 2K grows and the league itself also grows, people would think you watch the moves players can do, but with streaming and the YouTube channels and the overall talent that we have playing the game now, I scout the players’ reactions, communications to good and bad plays. This is because everyone knows how to do the moves. It’s about when to do them — is it open, is there a counter, does the player see what I see or vice versa. As a scout, I am supposed to get players that will make the right plays and Coach Wes will get those players in positions to make those plays.”
Q: What is your favorite build to watch and why?
“Point guard. Basketball is poetry and essentially a chess match. I think there are moves to set up another move at another time. I like to watch how the point guard manages the game of when to pass, when to shoot, when he picks his spots and when he picks for his teammates to get involved. When all of that is clicking, it becomes a beautiful game of NBA 2K basketball.”
Q: What does it take to be a good scout?
“I think it’s understanding and listening. There are also an insane amount of hours of film study. I don’t think I’d be here today as a scout if I didn’t hit the floor as a player and listen to the players and have dialogue with them. Sometimes, I play devil’s advocate, so my own opinions take form. It’s good to see things from all views and then come to my own conclusions as I find common themes and such.”
Q: What are your favorite moments in 2K League history?
I have a few:
- When BearDaBeast passed to TurnUpDefense who made the three-point shot to beat Blazer5 Gaming
- When Mama Im Dat Man scored a single-game NBA 2K League record 77 Points
- When Regg debuted with 36-point and 41-point performances
- When JBM put up a 50-point game in last year’s playoffs
Q: Do you have to be an exceptional 2K player to be a good scout?
“No, but you must understand the game every year to scout it, so being good can help.”
Q: Why basketball?
“I love it. I love the game truly, like I said it’s an art. It is poetry in motion. Sometimes, you do one move to set up another move. Sometimes, you’re countering someone’s first move the correct way in just a matter of seconds. When those things are all in sync at its best, you get performances like (those) notable performances. Sometimes, you get rollercoaster stories that even the best writers couldn’t script.”
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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.
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.
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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