Canada

‘I Wouldn’t Be Where I Am Without UK’: UK Alumna and TV Personality Gives Back to UK Students Pursuing Careers in Esports

Published

4 years ago

November 24, 2021

For University of Kentucky alumna Erin Simon, esports changed her life. The billion-dollar industry has opened doors for her she didn’t know existed. Now, a multimedia personality, host, producer and consultant within esports, gaming and entertainment, Simon wants to open those same doors for others at the university through the Erin Ashley Simon Esports Internship Fund.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without UK,” said Simon, who is a 2014 graduate of the College of Communication and Information. “UK was where I really built my journalism skills and had professors and fellow students who believed in me and my future. Now that I’m a broadcaster in gaming and entertainment, as well as a co-owner of the new esports organization XSET, it’s my turn to pay it forward.”

Home to the first-of-its-kind global gaming and esports program, UK brings together academics, community, professional development, collegiate competition and multidisciplinary research around the growing global sport. Together, UK and its gaming partner, Gen.G, are creating an innovative program unlike any other in the country.

“I wanted to start this scholarship because accessibility is not only an issue in education, but also an issue in esports and gaming,” Simon said. “I want to help create an additional route for the youth to not only gain experiences in esports and get an education but to have an amazing experience at the University of Kentucky, the same way I did when I attended.”

The Erin Ashley Simon Esports Internship Fund will include a multi-year internship, which will offer extensive mentorship and experiential learning opportunities that engage and educate students on the many facets of the dynamic esports industry that extend far beyond the classroom.

Financial support will also be provided to recipients with demonstrable financial need who wish to pursue UK’s esports program. The initiative seeks to make the UK experience possible for students who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend.

Leaders at the university, like Heath Price, UK associate chief information officer, believe the internship fund will add an exciting new depth and dimension to UK’s esports program, while also helping the university to reach a broader student audience.

“UK wants to be a thought leader in the esports and video game community, building a foundation of technology investment that pushes the envelope in areas of social and competitive gaming and seeks to serve important community values — democratizing access to great career opportunities; respecting people on- and offline; and intentional outreach to interested parties irrespective of race, gender or identity,” Price said.

“Practical experiences are very important in the competitive professional landscape of today and tomorrow,” Price continued. “Opportunities like the Erin Ashley Simon Esports Internship Fund, that provide a combination of experience and mentorship, have the potential to be transformative when you consider the preparation necessary to compete for jobs and pursue careers across the rapidly evolving video game and esports industries.”

The application for the internship fund will open in the fall of 2022. The criteria to apply is as follows:

Applicants must possess a minimum of a 3.00 unweighted high school grade-point average, out of a possible 4.0.
Applicants must possess demonstrable financial need as evidenced in their individual financial aid record.
Esports experience with gaming ties, which can include coding, broadcasting, content creation, event organization and more is preferred.
Applicants are holistically considered on an individual basis. Diversity in all its forms is welcome and encouraged.

The landscape of esports is ever evolving, particularly collegiate esports.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, UK has a bold and vital mission — to nurture an outstanding learning community that inspires students, staff and faculty alike, preparing them for an increasingly diverse and technological world.

Not only will this fund help to fulfill the university’s mission, but it will also break barriers for students like Simon who didn’t know a future in the esports and gaming industry was possible.

“I look forward to the start of this scholarship and am so thankful for UK, JMI, Gen.G, XSET and other companies that are interested in working with me on this opportunity for our youth,” Simon said.

To learn more about the esports initiative at the university, go to: www.uky.edu/esports/.

More About Erin Simon

Erin Ashley Simon is a multimedia personality, host, producer and consultant within esports, gaming and entertainment. Her love and passion for these areas has helped to shape who she is today, pushing the culture forward, breaking barriers as a female in the industry. In doing so, Simon was the first individual female public figure to be the face of PUMA’s new esports line. Additionally, she has worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the industry to provide more opportunities for those in underserved, underrepresented and marginalized communities, working with companies like Evil Geniuses, XSET and one of the largest video game publishers, Riot Games. Simon is also co-owner of one of the fastest growing esports organizations XSET. Within her role at the organization, she is helping to shape the culture of the organization to ensure the org has content and deep-rooted connections in music, entertainment and the gaming industry. Simon has been tapped by well-known brands and organizations such as AT&T, Riot Games, Bleacher Report, TBS, EA Sports, General Motors, Google Play, Tampax, Columbia Records, PUMA, Turtle Beach, Bacardi, Crown Royal, Forbes, Gen.G, Evil Geniuses, Cloud 9, The Wall Street Journal, University of Kentucky, Bleacher Report and more. As Simon’s career moves forward, she looks to continue to build the intersection between gaming and culture, paving a path forward for future generations. Learn more about Simon at erinsimon.com.

Canada

PointsBet Canada to Contest Proposed 5-Day Suspension by AGCO

Published

24 hours ago

March 2, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

pointsbet-canada-to-contest-proposed-5-day-suspension-by-agco

PointsBet Canada confirmed it will request a hearing before the independent Licence Appeal Tribunal to contest the Notice of Proposed Order issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) on February 12, 2026, proposing a five-day suspension of its operator registration.

PointsBet claims that the proposed sanction overemphasized an isolated incident that was a result of human error, not a systemic issue. The company also said that it did not intentionally withhold information from gaming regulators, and it immediately sent the necessary information once it was discovered.

The operator, which launched in Ontario in April 2022, also said that it cooperated fully with the AGCO’s investigation.

“We have a strong compliance record in Ontario and remain fully committed to the highest standards of integrity and player protection. We look forward to presenting our case at the Tribunal,” said Scott Vanderwel, PointsBet Canada Chief Executive Officer.

The post PointsBet Canada to Contest Proposed 5-Day Suspension by AGCO appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

CasinoCanada enters partnership with Beef Casino

Published

5 days ago

February 25, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

casinocanada-enters-partnership-with-beef-casino

CasinoCanada has partnered with Beef Casino, an online gaming platform operated by Royal Partners. The partnership will enhance Beef Casino’s brand visibility in Canada through editorial coverage and targeted digital promotion.

CasinoCanada will produce in-depth reviews, analytical comparisons, and SEO-focused content for Canadian audiences and also generate SEO-based traffic to Beef Casino. This content will offer players accurate, transparent insights into Beef Casino’s offerings and support its regional growth.

CasinoCanada is an online casino information portal run by SEOBROTHERS.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, commented: “Our cooperation with Beef Casino reflects our strategy of working with established operators that prioritize compliance, security, and user experience. Backed by Royal Partners’ extensive portfolio and operational expertise, Beef Casino brings strong value to the Canadian market. Through CasinoCanada.com, we aim to deliver clear, research-based content and sustainable traffic growth, building a partnership grounded in consistency and measurable results.”

Beef Casino operates under a licence from the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Managed by Royal Partners, one of the leading direct advertisers in the gambling sector, the brand benefits from a network of 17 proprietary products and over 1 million active users worldwide, according to the Royal Partners website.

The platform features thousands of premium gaming titles, including popular slots and a comprehensive Live Casino experience. Beef Casino uses advanced encryption technologies and operates under a trusted international licence to protect personal and financial data. 24/7 support is available via Live Chat, email, and hotline.

Lena Patrubeika, Head of EU-department at Royal Partners, stated: “The collaboration between Beef Casino, managed by Royal Partners, and CasinoCanada.com is built on a professional and disciplined approach. We find their team to be responsive to our brand’s requirements and consistent in their communication. The primary benefit of this partnership is the transparency they maintain throughout the workflow. Looking ahead, we aim to maintain this steady cooperation and continue fulfilling our mutual objectives.”

The agreement highlights both parties’ commitment to transparency, operational efficiency, and long-term growth in the competitive Canadian iGaming market.

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Adjusted EBITDA

Bragg Gaming Announces Select Preliminary Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results, and Issues Full Year 2026 Guidance

Published

6 days ago

February 25, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

bragg-gaming-announces-select-preliminary-unaudited-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2025-financial-results,-and-issues-full-year-2026-guidance

Bragg Gaming Group has announced that its preliminary unaudited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025 are expected to come within its previously issued guidance ranges for both revenue and Adjusted EBITDA.

The Company anticipates the fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results to include the following highlights:

Fourth quarter 2025 revenues to be approximately EUR 27.7 million, an increase of 1.8% from EUR 27.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, and Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately EUR 6 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin2 of approximately 16.6%), compared to EUR 4.7 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of approximately 17.2%) in the fourth quarter of 2024. High-margin proprietary content revenue grew by 70% in Q4-2025 over Q4-2024, primarily driven by growth in the US.

Full year 2025 revenues to be approximately EUR 106.1 million, an increase of 4.0% from EUR 102.0 million in 2024, and Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately EUR 16.6 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of approximately 15.6%), compared to EUR 15.8 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of approximately 15.5%) in 2024. The Company notes that, excluding the Netherlands given its challenging regulatory environment, expected 2025 revenues would represent an 18% increase from 2024, driven by the Company’s performance in Brazil and the US.

These figures are preliminary and unaudited, and actual revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin may differ.

Bragg is providing this information at this time because of planned investment community meetings to be held ahead of the release of its fourth and full year 2025 financial results and conference call in March 2026.

Anticipated Financial Highlights for 2026

Revenue Guidance: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2026 is expected to be in the range of EUR 97.0 million to EUR 104.5 million, despite Bragg anticipating that it will have to continue navigating increasingly complex regulatory compliance requirements and recent tax changes in the Netherlands and other regions in which the Company operates.

Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2026 is forecasted to be in the range of EUR 16.0 million to EUR 19.0 million (representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of approximately 16.0% to 18.0%), supported by factors which include a continuing shift toward higher-margin product offerings and the structural cost savings expected from Bragg’s recently announced initiative to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to drive cost efficiencies and improve operational excellence.

Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer for Bragg, said: “Based on the preliminary results, we delivered another record year in 2025, as demonstrated by increased revenue and higher Adjusted EBITDA. Now in 2026, we remain confident in our ability to successfully navigate evolving international regulatory and taxation developments, continue to increase our overall content market share in Brazil and the United States, aggressively pursue emerging alternative markets, such as Historical and Live Racing and Prediction Markets, and move into new jurisdictions that offer opportunities for higher margin content business. At the same time, we plan on thoughtfully harnessing the power of the Bragg AI Brain to reduce our overall cost structure, drive EBITDA growth, and move toward sustained net profitability. We look forward to updating investors as we progress.”

The post Bragg Gaming Announces Select Preliminary Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results, and Issues Full Year 2026 Guidance appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.