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Launch Announcement: U.S. Rugby Sevens Major League Brings Back the World’s best teams to Las Vegas to Compete for Record $1M Prize

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The Rugby Football League (RFL), a newly formed US company, has launched the first ever U.S. Rugby Sevens Major League, which will see the world’s best international male players battle it out against the best US players for record breaking prize money.

With a kick off, October 2022 in Las Vegas, the RFL aspires to create a truly new fan experience combining the energy of Rugby Sevens events with the excitement of the Kentucky Derby experience by using live gaming to engage fans – #racetrackrugby. The inaugural RFL event will feature the top 12 international teams pitted against 4 US Team Franchises to win their share of the $1,000,000 prize money. From 2023, the RFL will expand to up to 17 tournaments in major US cities and will feature up to 16 US Team Franchises playing with top international teams.

The RFL is sanctioned and supported by USA Rugby and USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young said: “We are excited to announce this sanctioning agreement with RFL and their plans to expand the rugby sevens landscape in the US. The inaugural event in October 2022 is one for all rugby and general sports fans to look forward to as we welcome more first-class international rugby with a focus on US qualified athletes and competition.”

The RFL will break new ground for US Major Leagues by offering fans the unique opportunity to own a share of the RFL when buying a ticket for the Las Vegas Sevens 2022 via an Online Public Offer (OPO). The OPO also provides a unique 100% return on investment opportunity for investors who decide to resell their ticket via the RFL ticket office. It will start in January 2022 and will be hosted on the innovative crowd funding platform wefunder.

The RFL has assembled a team of expert professionals lead by former World Rugby Competition General Manager Philippe Bourdarias (RFL CEO) who commented: “The RFL is an amazing development for the game of Rugby in the US. There is a huge appetite for Rugby Sevens events in the US, as shown by the record breaking RWC Sevens 2018 in San Francisco and the success of the Las Vegas Sevens over the years. We feel that there is a huge growth opportunity for the RFL and Franchises with an innovative model whereby the League centralises all expenses and rights, leaving the fun side of the League (managing the teams) to the Franchisees.”

Philippe is supported by former Las Vegas Sevens organizer Rob Cornelius (COO) and former European Rugby Cup (Heineken Cup), Paddy Power and Racing Post executive Eugene Delaney (Gaming and Commercial adviser), to build and deliver this ambitious project. Backed by a US-based financial consortium, the League will be a game changing breakthrough for the development of the game in the US.

RFL COO, Rob Cornelius said: “Having led the development of the Las Vegas Sevens until 2019, it is truly exciting to see the best of international Rugby Sevens teams coming back to Las Vegas. There is huge support from key stakeholders who supported the Las Vegas Sevens in the past such as our Rhino Rugby the Official Ball and Equipment of the RFL and from the local community. From my experience, there is a huge opportunity to replicate the Las Vegas success to other major cities and I look forward to developing the League over the next few years.”

RFL Gaming and Commercial AdvisorEugene Delaney states, “The RFL delivers a truly innovative concept with fan engagement front and foremost. We want to provide a new and unique experience for fans at the stadium and at home by working with Sportsbooks to create dynamic betting offering, something not available in any of the other US Sports leagues. Our Race Track Rugby concept will enable us to leverage the fast-growing live betting market, providing Sportsbooks with a fantastic opportunity for customer acquisition and engagement. Given our unique positioning, we are already in partnership talks with US and European operators.”

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AGCO Takes Enforcement Action Against Two Companies for Allowing Their Games on Unregulated Gaming Websites

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served Relax Gaming Limited and Arrise Solutions Limited with Orders of Monetary Penalties of $40,000 each. The penalties follow an AGCO investigation that found games created by these companies were available on unregulated gambling websites accessible to Ontario players. Operators of gaming websites that are accessible within Ontario must be registered with the AGCO.

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is built on clear, enforceable standards that require operators to include strong consumer protections, such as game integrity and responsible gaming safeguards. Unregulated gaming sites do not guarantee player protections or information security and increase the potential risk of harm to players and criminal activity, such as money-laundering and match-fixing. That is why the AGCO actively works to combat unlawful gaming in Ontario.

Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions are both registered by the AGCO to create and supply slot and casino-style games for play on Ontario’s regulated gaming sites. The AGCO prohibits companies operating in the regulated iGaming market from offering their products to unregulated gaming websites available to Ontario players. Supplying games to such sites helps to sustain unregulated gaming operations.

The AGCO aims to disrupt unregulated gaming and its supply chains to safeguard Ontarians and maintain gaming integrity in the province. The agency monitors the market for regulated entities supplying the unregulated sector.

Following notification from AGCO investigators, both companies cooperated fully with the investigation and took prompt action to restrict access to their games by Ontario players on unregulated sites.

“Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is built on clear rules designed to protect players and hold companies accountable. Unregulated gaming sites operate outside that framework, meaning players have no assurance of fair games, timely withdrawals, or access to meaningful dispute resolution. When regulated games appear on unregulated sites, it risks enabling a market that exposes players to real harm,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO.

The post AGCO Takes Enforcement Action Against Two Companies for Allowing Their Games on Unregulated Gaming Websites appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Acquisitions/Merger

Petroglyph Development Group Completes Acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver

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Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), a wholly owned corporation of Snuneymuxw First Nation, and Great Canadian Entertainment (Great Canadian) confirmed the successful closing of PDG’s acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam, B.C. This transaction follows PDG’s recent acquisition of Chances Maple Ridge, marking another significant milestone in the Nation’s expanding portfolio of gaming and hospitality assets in British Columbia.

Snuneymuxw respectfully acknowledges the Kwikwetlem First Nation, on whose territory Great Canadian Casino Vancouver operates. The Nation looks forward to establishing a meaningful and lasting relationship with the Kwikwetlem people as PDG assumes stewardship of the property.

“The completion of this acquisition reflects the sustained effort and vision of Snuneymuxw people across generations. We are building an economy that is ours, one that funds our priorities, honours our responsibilities to neighbouring communities and creates opportunity for our people long into the future,” said Chief Michael Wyse, Xum’silum, Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Great Canadian Casino Vancouver is one of Metro Vancouver’s most established entertainment destinations, offering gaming, dining and live entertainment, including The Show Theatre.

“Building the Snuneymuxw economic portfolio is grounded in a vision of sustainable, self-determined growth and in the belief that meaningful economic development is built on strong Nation-to-Nation relationships. Operating on Kwikwetlem territory is a responsibility we take seriously, and we look forward to building a partnership that reflects that,” said Erralyn Joseph, President of PDG.

First announced on December 19, 2025, this is the fourth transaction completed between the two companies. With the addition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver, PDG’s gaming portfolio now includes Casino Nanaimo, Elements Casino Victoria, and Chances Maple Ridge, establishing its position as the largest Indigenous-owned gaming operator by revenue in Canada.

“This transaction is another milestone in our ongoing collaboration with Petroglyph Development Group and the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and we’re grateful for another successful closing. With this representing our fourth completed transaction with PDG, it speaks to the trust and confidence we have built together. I’d like to thank everyone from our respective teams for their hard work, and I look forward to seeing the properties thrive under PDG’s leadership,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian.

For PDG, the closing marks the latest step in a period of sustained and strategic growth.

“We are building a diversified, sustainable portfolio, while continuing to deliver real benefits for the communities where we operate. Great Canadian Casino Vancouver has long been an important part of the Coquitlam community, and that will not change,” said Ian Simpson, Yaatqumtun, Chief Executive Officer of PDG.

McMillan LLP acted as legal counsel to Great Canadian. McCarthy Tétrault LLP served as legal counsel, and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. acted as financial advisor to PDG. The transaction has received all required regulatory approvals and all closing conditions have been satisfied.

The post Petroglyph Development Group Completes Acquisition of Great Canadian Casino Vancouver appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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RESPWNED partners with LOTUS 8 to bring GIRLGAMER festival to Winnipeg in 2026

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RESPWNED and LOTUS 8 have signed a partnership to launch the GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival in 2026, marking the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand’s expansion into Canada.

RESPWNED manages the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand, while LOTUS 8 is a Canada-based company focused on event development and partnerships. The companies said they will jointly develop and deliver the Winnipeg event, combining global esports IP management, event production, commercial partnerships, and local execution.

“This partnership represents an exciting milestone for GIRLGAMER as we continue to expand globally and bring our platform to new audiences,” said Tiago Fernandes, Managing Partner at RESPWNED. “Canada is a dynamic and fast-growing Esports market, and we are proud to collaborate with LOTUS 8 to deliver a meaningful and impactful event experience.”

Steven Vuong, representing LOTUS 8, added: “We are thrilled to partner with RESPWNED to bring the GIRLGAMER Festival to Canada. This collaboration reflects a shared vision of building inclusive, high-quality esports experiences while creating strong commercial and community value. Together, we are laying the foundation for a standout event in 2026.”

The GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival is planned as a family-oriented event with business networking, brand activations, and community programming, and is expected to include international and local talent. Additional details, including dates, venue, and participating partners, will be announced in the coming months.

The post RESPWNED partners with LOTUS 8 to bring GIRLGAMER festival to Winnipeg in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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