Canada
Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate New Year’s Eve with live fireworks show, national headliners and special hotel package

Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino will again celebrate New Year’s Eve with a special room package and downtown Las Vegas’ only live fireworks show on Friday, Dec. 31. The Plaza’s showroom will also welcome Pauly Shore and his new rock band on Dec. 30 and comedian Doug Stanhope on Dec. 31.
Staged from multiple locations on the Plaza’s roofs and towers, the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display will be an amazing show for people downtown and visible for miles. A portion of Main Street in front of the Plaza will be closed during the fireworks.
The Plaza will offer an exclusive rooftop viewing party of the fireworks as part of its NYE 2022 VIP Room package. Guests will receive two tickets to the private viewing party as well as a $50 food and beverage credit for use during their stay (3-night minimum), a complimentary midnight champagne toast on New Year’s Eve, and limited-edition Plaza memorabilia commemorating its 50th anniversary in 2021.
Leading up to New Year’s Eve, Pauly Shore and his newly formed rock band will take the stage of the Plaza’s vintage Vegas showroom at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30. “Plaza Presents Pauly Palooza” will feature Pauly Shore and The Crusty’s, DJ Kneix, Go-Go Dancers & Hype Man Mike Tran. Doors open at 9 p.m. and admission is free. Table reservations require a minimum spend on food and beverage and can be reserved at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/pauly-shore/.
Selected by Variety and the Hollywood Reporter as one of the “Top Ten Comics to Watch,” Doug Stanhope will continue his tradition of ending the year with a show in the Plaza’s showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets available at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/doug-stanhope/.
The Plaza’s award-winning Oscar’s steakhouse will also be open for dinner on Dec. 31, offering a special three-course meal in addition to its regular steak and seafood menu. Diners will enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight while watching the fireworks show from under the dining room’s iconic glass dome. Reservations are recommended online or by calling 702-387-7227.
Slot enthusiasts can join social media influencer Brian Christopher for an exclusive New Year’s Eve weekend package offering a slot tournament with cash prizes and dinner and dancing with an open bar on Dec. 31. On New Year’s Day, Brian hosts a super group pull at 2 p.m. where all wins are shared equally between participants as well as Boozy Bingo at 11 p.m.
For more details on all the New Year’s Eve festivities at the Plaza and to book the room package, visit https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/new-years-eve/.
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Canada
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Opens with Legendary Guitar Smash and Star-Studded Celebration

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa officially opened its doors with a signature guitar smash, marking the arrival of Canada’s first fully integrated Hard Rock resort, a bold new destination where entertainment, hospitality, and music take center stage.
The $350 million resort brings the brand’s unmistakable energy to Canada’s capital, offering locals and visitors an immersive Hard Rock experience blending iconic music history with world-class entertainment, hospitality, dining, and gaming.
In true Hard Rock fashion, the opening festivities kicked off with the Canadian Tenors’ electrifying rendition of O Canada followed by the brand’s signature Guitar Smash, a modern take on the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. Executives, dignitaries, and community leaders took the stage to ceremoniously smash guitars, signaling the official opening of the state-of-the-art entertainment destination.
A special moment included the presentation of a $100,000 donation to Ottawa Food Bank, reinforcing Hard Rock’s commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.
“Bringing Hard Rock to Canada’s capital is an iconic milestone for our brand. We’re proud to expand our global footprint and create a destination where locals and visitors can experience world-class gaming, hospitality, and entertainment all in one place,” said Jim Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Hard Rock International.
“Our government is thrilled that Hard Rock chose Ontario for its first fully integrated hotel and casino venue in Canada. This new entertainment and hospitality destination will draw visitors from near and far to Ottawa, create and sustain hundreds of local jobs, and provide millions of dollars for local infrastructure and community programs,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
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AGCO
MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition

PointsBet Holdings Limited announced that MIXI has received written confirmation that AGCO has no concerns with the proposed acquisition by MIXI of the shares in PointsBet Holdings Limited.
PointsBet has also received written confirmation from iGaming Ontario (iGO) in relation to MIXI’s proposed acquisition of shares in PointsBet.
Accordingly, the condition precedent to MIXI’s proposed PointsBet-Board recommended Takeover Bid relating to Ontario approvals in paragraph 4.5 of Schedule 1 of the Bid Implementation Deed dated 16 June 2025 (BID) has been satisfied.
MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid remains subject to the satisfaction of certain other limited conditions as previously announced, including a 50.1% minimum acceptance of the proposed MIXI Offer (as defined in the BID).
The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission provided its approval on 24 March 2025 for MIXI to acquire PointsBet. PointsBet confirmed that MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid is no longer subject to any gaming regulatory approvals.
The post MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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.
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