Canada
Gambling.com Group Ready for Launch of Online Sports Betting in New York State with NewYorkBets.com

Gambling.com Group Limited, a leading provider of player acquisition services for the regulated global online gambling industry, is ready to provide marketing services to licensed online sports betting operators in New York State once legal online sports betting begins on Saturday, January 8th, 2022 at 9 am.
In anticipation of the launch of legal online sports betting in New York, the Group has developed two New York specific websites where sports bettors can find trusted, comprehensive, and up-to-date information on sports betting in the state. The Group also stands ready to help New York licensed online gambling operators acquire players with its national and international websites, including Bookies.com and Gambling.com.
Gambling.com Group Resources for New York State Sports Betting:
- NewYorkBets.com: A New York specific sports betting consumer information portal where bettors can find and evaluate the various licensed operators of online sports betting with expert product reviews written by our team of industry insiders. Bettors will also benefit from betting coverage of sporting events occurring in New York State or with New York based teams.
- EmpireStakes.com: An additional New York specific portal whose coverage also includes sports betting as well as additional information from an industry standpoint on legislative, licensing, and revenue updates.
- Bookies.com: A national sports betting information portal featuring expert picks, realtime odds comparison tools, and independent reviews of the top legal, licensed, and regulated sportsbooks in New York and elsewhere in the U.S.
- Gambling.com: The Group’s flagship website featuring the latest sports betting and gambling news along with comprehensive consumer education resources for sports bettors in New York and the rest of the U.S., as well as in international markets
New York State, with over 20 million residents, will be by far the most populous state with legal online sports betting. Gambling.com Group has been preparing for New York to go live for several years, launching EmpireStakes.com in 2021. EmpireStakes.com reported through a YouGov survey, that 1 in 3 New York adults are likely to place legal sports bets once online sports betting is regulated in the state.
“It is difficult to overstate the significance of New York State going live with legal online sports betting,” said Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Gambling.com Group. “As the largest state by population to accept legal sports bets in the U.S. to date, there is a massive opportunity for the New York market to be not just the biggest jurisdiction for sports betting in the country, but in the world. Gambling.com Group is well positioned to help operators and customers succeed in this new and very exciting market.”
“New York State allowing several sportsbooks to take legal sports bets in advance of the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship and the NFL Playoffs is, without question, the single largest catalyst to regulated gambling in the U.S. since Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate PASPA in 2018,” said Max Bichsel, Vice President at Gambling.com Group. “As a resident of New York, this is an exciting moment for sports bettors to finally place safe and responsible wagers with legal sportsbooks, after years of discussion and negotiation. With passionate sports fans and some of the most storied sports franchises, we expect that the New York market will likely quickly surpass its neighbor, New Jersey, in terms of sports betting handle and Gambling.com Group is prepared to take full advantage.”
Based on the guidelines established by the New York State Gaming Commission, Gambling.com Group satisfies the necessary requirements to provide marketing services to licensed operators in the State of New York.
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Canada
Soft2Bet’s Brand ToonieBet Named an Official Sports Betting and Casino Partner of the CFL

ToonieBet, Soft2Bet’s premier sportsbook and online casino brand tailored for Canadian players, has been named both an Official Sports Betting Partner and an Official Online Casino Partner of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
The multiyear partnership also establishes ToonieBet as an Official Partner of the CFL’s championship game, the Grey Cup. Fans from coast to coast to coast annually gather for Canada’s largest single-day sporting event to celebrate an incredible season, and to witness one team earn the right to hoist the iconic trophy. The 112th Grey Cup will be played at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16.
Fans in Ontario aged 19-and-over will be able to responsibly wager on CFL games through ToonieBet with access to in-game betting and futures. The collaboration will also explore exciting branded online casino experiences on the ToonieBet platform to entertain existing fans and engage new ones.
ToonieBet’s partnership with the CFL underscores Soft2Bet’s ongoing commitment to Canadian sports fans and a further investment in the Canadian sporting tradition, as the deal marks Soft2Bet’s second sports partnership in the country within the last three months, following ToonieBet’s designation as the Official Online Casino Partner of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, which was recently expanded with a full sportsbook offering.
“This partnership is for the fans. Together with ToonieBet, we will unlock exciting avenues of entertainment, delivering new products, responsible gaming options and unique activations, to better serve the future of fandom. In the stadium, at home or online, we’re doubling down on engagement and innovation like never before,” said Tyler Keenan, the CFL’s Chief Revenue Officer.
“Partnering with the CFL will elevate our robust offerings in the Canadian market and allow us to continue building our passionate sports and online gaming community in Ontario. Our team at ToonieBet is deeply committed to building a premium fan experience, while delivering exceptional customer hospitality and ensuring both responsible and safe game play,” said Steve Spindler, ToonieBet’s Canadian Country Manager.
“We are proud to partner with the CFL and its local teams. This partnership goes beyond visibility – it’s about building relevance and establishing a real connection with fans. Aligning with one of Canada’s most trusted leagues allows us to strengthen our bond with Ontarians and deliver a best-in-class sports betting and gaming experience through ToonieBet,” said Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2Bet.
Additionally, ToonieBet has been designated as an Official Authorized Gaming Operator of the CFL, allowing Soft2Bet to deliver best-in-class gaming experiences with official CFL data and statistics to sports fans and sportsbook users across Ontario through the ToonieBet platform.
ToonieBet will also serve as the presenting partner of CFL Fantasy, and the Game Tracker in Ontario on CFL.ca and LCF.ca, in addition to being the CFL’s odds provider on the league’s digital scoreboard.
The post Soft2Bet’s Brand ToonieBet Named an Official Sports Betting and Casino Partner of the CFL appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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.
The post Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Opens with Legendary Guitar Smash and Star-Studded Celebration appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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.
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