Canada
STEVE AOKI, 100 THIEVES, G2’S CARLOS & XAVIER WOODS TO ALL MAKE APPEARANCES AT THE ESPORTS AWARDS PRESENTED BY LEXUS

The Esports Awards presented by Lexus, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, is just under one week away and the countdown is hotting up to what promises to be an unforgettable event. As the curtain closes on the majority of the esports event calendar, the Esports Awards provides a perfect backdrop to celebrate the accomplishments of 2021.
The night will be hosted by some of the finest esports talents including Eefje ‘sjokz’ Depoortere, James ‘Dash’ Patterson, Alex ‘Goldenboy’ Mendez, Soe Gschwind, Nyvi Estephan and Thom ‘F.’ Badinger with a packed room full of some of the biggest and most recognisable brands, teams, and influencers in the space.
Throughout the night there will also be appearances from some of the biggest names across entertainment and sports, from the likes of Liverpool Football Club manager, Jürgen Klopp who will be helping present the Esports Coach of the Year presented by Expedia, as well as superstar DJ Steve Aoki, singer-songwriter Luke Combs and professional wrestler Xavier Woods who will also make a showing throughout the night.
“After 735 days since our last live and in person event, our entire team is so excited and proud to be back in Arlington, Texas for the 2021 Esports Awards, presented by Lexus. We cannot wait to welcome our distinguished partners, nominees and industry friends to celebrate each nominee and recognise our worthy winners.
I am in a constant state of awe at the unity and support the esports industry has for the platform we continue to create, we are so thankful to our partners, our panel and the esports audience for enabling us to be back where we belong and creating legacy at the Esports Stadium Arlington,” said Michael Ashford, CEO, Esports Awards
There will be over 40 awards given out across six overarching categories including Community, Pro, On-Air, Collegiate, Industry and Creative. These will go out across the weekend’s events and recognise the best within esports over the past year, a moment we’ve not seen in person for what is now 735 days.
Lexus will be displaying several vehicles, including the Gamers’ IS, a one-of-a-kind vehicle designed by and for gamers as the ultimate gaming space.
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Betty
Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.
Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.
Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.
Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.
Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.
Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.
“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”
Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.
“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”
The post Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BCLC
Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].
Registration and program details will be released later this fall.
The post Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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