Canada
ESPORTS AWARDS UNVEILS PRO, ON-AIR AND COLLEGIATE FINALISTS
The Esports Awards, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, is excited to reveal the finalists for this year’s Pro and On-Air and Collegiate awards. As some of the most highly anticipated categories, this year’s finalists include the likes of Trevor “Quickshot” Henry, G2 Esports and Heo “ShowMaker” Su.
This year’s Esports Awards will officially be returning to a physical event taking place on November 20th at the Esports Stadium Arlington. The Esports Stadium will provide the perfect backdrop for an evening of celebration and prestige which will be attended by some of the biggest brands, organisations and personalities from esports and beyond.
The finalists for the Pro, On-Air and Collegiate were announced as part of Esports Awards 6th Spotlight Show of the year which was hosted by Thom ‘F.’ Badinger with guest hosts Parker ‘Interro’ Mackay and Jess ‘JessGOAT’ Bolden. The show played host to the Creative Corner segment where George Nowack interviewed Rich Lock, Jess and Parker went head to head in the ultimate quiz challenge and FaZe Crowder was interviewed by Fdot.
The full list of Pro, On-Air & Collegiate finalists are:
Esports Coach of the Year in partnership with Expedia
- James “Crowder” Crowder
- James “Mac” MacCormack
- Bok “Reapered” Han-gyu
- Andrii “B1ad3” Gorodenskyi
- Dyjair “Mity” Soares
- Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun
- Arthur “TchubZ” Martins
- Emiliano “Sizz” Benny
- Andrey “Engh” Sholokhov
- Byung-chul “Moon” Moon
- Mark “MarkyB” Bryceland
Esports Controller Player of the Year in partnership with SCUF
- Chris “Simp” Lehr
- Justin “jstn.” Morales
- Eric “Snip3down” Wrona
- Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris
- Joseph “Mang0” Marquez
- Evan “M0nkey M00n” Rogez
- Jack “JBM” Mascone
- Dominique “SonicFox” McLean
- Gavin “Tweek” Dempsey
- Victor “Fairy Peak!” Locquet
Esports Controller Rookie of the Year in partnership with SCUF
- Jamie “Insight” Craven
- Evan “M0nkey M00n” Rogez
- Raúl “DmentZa” Palazuelos
- Eli “Standy” Bentz
- Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez
- Marc “MaRc_By_8.” Domingo
- Andres “dreaz” Jordan
Esports Mobile Player of the Year presented by Verizon
- Zhu “paraboy” Bocheng
- Mohamed “Mohamed Light” Tarek
- Gabriel “Syaz” Vasconcelos
- Mustafa “SkYRiiKZz” Ibrahim
- Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno
- Jash “Learn” Shah
- Piyapon “TheCruz” Boonchuay
- Brian “Tectonic” Michel
- Lucas “LucasXGamer” Vinícius Batista Rocha
- Cauan “Cauan7” da Silva
Esports Organisation of the Year
- LOUD
- 100 Thieves
- G2 Esports
- Team Liquid
- FaZe Clan
- NRG
- TSM FTX
- Fnatic
- Cloud9
- T1
- Envy
- OverActive Media
Esports PC Player of the Year
- Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev
- Luccas “Paluh” Vinicius Molina
- Tyson “TenZ” Ngo
- Heo “ShowMaker” Su
- Wang “Ame” Chunyu
- Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang
- Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov
- Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin
- Jae-Won “LIP” Lee
Esports PC Rookie of the Year
- Kyle “Danny” Sakamaki
- Javier “Elyoya” Prades Batalla
- Tyson “TenZ” Ngo
- Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin
- Adam “Adam” Maanane
- Valeriy “B1T” Vakhovskiy
- Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov
- Se-hyun “Pelican” Oh
- Robin “Robinsongz” Sung
Esports Team of the Year in association with Secretlab
- Atlanta FaZe (CDL)
- The General NRG (Rocket League)
- Natus Vincere (NAVI) (CS:GO)
- Ninjas in Pyjamas (Rainbow 6)
- DWG KIA (League of Legends)
- PSG.LGD (Dota 2)
- MAD Lions (LoL)
- Gambit Esports (VALORANT)
- Shanghai Dragons (Overwatch)
- Sentinels (VALORANT)
Esports Analyst of the Year
- Anthony “NAMELESS” Wheeler
- Emily Rand
- Jacob “Pimp” Winneche
- Jess ‘JessGOAT’ Bolden
- Marc Robert “Caedrel” Lamont
- Kyle “melonzz” Freedman
- Jonathan “Reinforce” Larsson
- Sean “sgares” Gares
- Jason “moses” O’Toole
Esports Colour Caster of the Year
- Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
- Mohan “launders” Govindasamy
- Michael “KiXSTAr” Stockley
- Josh “Sideshow” Wilkinson
- Thomas “Chance” Ashworth
- Andrew “Vedius” Day
- Sam “Kobe” Hartman-Kenzler
- John “Johnnyboi_i” MacDonald
- Stephen “Sajam” Lyon
Esports Host of the Year Presented by Arlington.Org
- Eefje ‘sjokz’ Depoortere
- Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez
- Soe Gschwind
- James “Dash” Patterson
- Jorien “Sheever” van der Heijden
- Ana Paula ‘Ana Xisdê’ Cardoso
- Loviel “Velly” Cardwell
- Tres “stunna” Saranthus
- Brody “Liefx” Moore
- Ghassan “MiloshTheMedic” Finge
- Caleb “WavePunk” Simmons
- Chris “Puckett” Puckett
Esports Play by Play Caster of the Year
- Parker “Interro” Mackay
- Alex “Machine” Richardson
- Miles Ross
- Trevor “Quickshot” Henry
- Clayton “CaptainFlowers” Raines
- Mitch “Uber” Leslie
- Callum “Shogun” Keir
- Owen “ODPixel” Davies
- Lauren “Pansy” Scott
- BrunoClash
Esports Collegiate Program of the Year
- Northwood University
- Boise State University
- Maryville University
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Hawai’i
- Buckeye Gaming Collective – Ohio State University
- Longhorn Gaming – University of Texas at Austin
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Illini Esports – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Winthrop University
Esports Collegiate Ambassador of the Year
- Dr. Chris “Doc” Haskell
- Adam Antor
- Chris Turner
- Ariane Lim
- Ryan Johnson
“I’m really excited to unveil the final set of finalists for this year’s awards which is set to be our biggest and most prestigious event yet. With less than two months to go, the team is hard at work making sure that this year’s ceremony is packed full of celebration, excitement and special surprises,” said Michael Ashford, CEO, Esports Awards
The Esports Awards is delighted to announce Expedia as the Official Travel Companion for this year’s ceremony. Expedia will work closely together with the Esports Awards on creating a number of ‘epic moments’ for attendees, viewers and fans showcasing the globality of the awards.
Other partners for the Esports Awards 2021 include The Koyo Store, Sizzle Creative, Touch of Ginger, SCUF, Arlington CVB, SecretLab, Make-A-Wish, Skullz, and Verizon.
Esports Awards 2021 key campaign dates for the rest of the year are:
- October: The Go-Home Show building up to the main event
- Saturday 20th November: The Esports Awards 2021 Ceremony
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BetConstruct
BetConstruct Becomes the First iGaming Company to Offer Both B2B and B2C Licenses in Canada through Affiliate Entity
BetConstruct, a global pioneer in iGaming and sports betting solutions, has announced a significant milestone in the gaming industry. Through its affiliate entity, BetConstruct has become the first iGaming company authorized to facilitate the issuance of both Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) licenses. This remarkable achievement was made possible by obtaining a direct license authorization from the Tobique First Nation in Canada.
The Tobique First Nation, renowned for its innovative and forward-thinking regulatory approach, has entrusted BetConstruct’s affiliate entity with the authority to oversee applications and facilitate the issuance of licenses from its jurisdiction. This partnership underscores shared values of innovation, transparency, and a commitment to responsible gaming practices.
This historic development places BetConstruct at the forefront of the Canadian iGaming market, redefining the opportunities available to gaming operators. By leveraging its affiliate entity’s licensing capabilities, BetConstruct empowers businesses to navigate a streamlined and transparent regulatory environment, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.
“At BetConstruct, we’ve always strived to push the boundaries of what’s possible in iGaming. This landmark achievement with the Tobique First Nation reflects our unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for our partners while upholding the highest standards of responsibility and integrity in gaming,” said Vigen Badalyan, Co-Founder of BetConstruct.
The issuance of dual licenses under the watchful eye of BetConstruct’s affiliate not only highlights BetConstruct’s commitment to supporting its partners but also reinforces the company’s role as a trusted leader in the global iGaming landscape.
This milestone signals a new era for regulated iGaming, as BetConstruct takes bold steps to establish a robust ecosystem for operators and consumers alike. With its direct license authorization from the Tobique First Nation, BetConstruct is setting a new standard for innovation, consumer protection, and sustainable growth in Canada and beyond.
The post BetConstruct Becomes the First iGaming Company to Offer Both B2B and B2C Licenses in Canada through Affiliate Entity appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
Great Canadian Entertainment and Petroglyph Development Group Announce Closing of the Acquisition of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria
Great Canadian Entertainment and Petroglyph Development Group Ltd. announced that PDG has closed the previously announced acquisitions of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria from Great Canadian, in historic transactions for both parties. PDG is a wholly owned corporation of Snuneymuxw First Nation (the “Nation”) and is dedicated to realizing the economic potential of the Nation.
The transactions, originally announced on June 24, 2024, for Casino Nanaimo and September 10, 2024, for Elements Casino Victoria, have received all required approvals from the regulatory authorities.
“We are thrilled to have completed these transactions. An incredible amount of work has been undertaken by our corporate team, our on-site teams at both properties, and PDG to achieve this successful closing. I am grateful for their efforts, as well as everyone at the B.C. Lottery Corporation and the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch, who were thoughtful, diligent, and thorough in facilitating these closings,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian.
“We look forward to working closely with PDG during the transition period to support the continued successful operation of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria,” Anfinson added.
“We celebrate the closing of our two casino acquisitions and our continued progress toward building a strong Snuneymuxw economy. For decades, Snuneymuxw leadership has worked tirelessly toward this moment, recognizing the connection between a strong economy, self-determination, and the foundation of nationhood. Today, we honour the achievements of those who came before us by securing businesses that will strengthen our Nation for generations to come. Thank you to the PDG and Great Canadian teams for your exceptional work. We look forward to a rewarding partnership with the B.C. Lottery Corporation, driving economic growth for the Nation and Province,” said Chief Mike Wyse.
Erralyn Joseph, President of PDG, said: “This measured acquisition marks an important milestone for PDG as we continue growing a corporate enterprise that reinvests directly into the prosperity of our Nation. With a strong operating plan focused on risk mitigation and yielding sizable returns, PDG continues to generate sustainable wealth for Snuneymuxw. With every step we are realizing our socio-economic potential and influence at a local, national, and global level. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to share this news and remain committed to advancing economic growth in support of all residents connected to Snuneymuxw territory.”
“Acquiring these assets marks a pivotal shift for Snuneymuxw and Vancouver Island. This transition will fuel the Island’s economy, strengthening the Snuneymuxw Nation and ensuring the benefits stay local,” said Ian Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of PDG.
The post Great Canadian Entertainment and Petroglyph Development Group Announce Closing of the Acquisition of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
Ottawa Black Bears Announce Partnership Deal with PowerPlay
The Ottawa Black Bears announced an extensive partnership agreement with PowerPlay Online Sportsbook and Casino that will see the company’s logo featured on the club’s home and away jerseys.
In addition to the jersey partnership, PowerPlay will also have branding elements inside the goal crease, behind the bench, on the LED display ring, and along the rinkboards for Black Bears home games at Canadian Tire Centre. As part of the deal, PowerPlay also becomes the exclusive sportsbook and online casino partner for the Ottawa Black Bears.
“We are thrilled to have PowerPlay on board for our inaugural season with such a comprehensive partnership agreement. Their investment with the Black Bears represents a foundational agreement for our lacrosse club. And we’re proud to wear their logo alongside ours as we launch our franchise,” said Chelsea McDermott, Vice President of Business Operations for the Ottawa Black Bears.
“We are excited to bring PowerPlay’s bold, community-driven spirit to Ottawa-Gatineau, partnering with the Black Bears as they establish themselves as a force in lacrosse. This partnership celebrates a sport deeply tied to Canada’s heritage and competitive energy. Together, we’ll ignite passion, energize fans, and deliver excitement all season long,” said Thomas Vermeulen, Marketing Director for PowerPlay.
The post Ottawa Black Bears Announce Partnership Deal with PowerPlay appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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