Canada
GREEN BAY PACKERS, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SUPER BOWL FAVORITES AS NFL PLAYOFFS BEGIN

The field is set for the NFL Playoffs and while familiar faces are the favorites to win the Super Bowl title, there is a crowded field vying for the championship, according to analysts TheLines, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market.
The second year of the NFL’s expanded format of 14 teams opens this weekend with the Green Bay Packers as the favorites to win the Super Bowl, according to a consensus of that nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet. The Packers opened the year as +1400 favorites but are now listed at +400, meaning bettors would win $400 for every $100 wagered.
The Kansas City Chiefs are right behind the Packers and listed at +500, which is the same line the reigning AFC champions had when the season opened in September. But unlike the Packers, who have a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Chiefs will have to win three playoff games to reach the Super Bowl, starting with this week’s first-round matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Of the 14 teams to make the playoffs, half of them are listed at +1200 (12-to-1), or better, entering Wild Card Weekend. The playoff games will be held beginning this weekend with two games on Saturday, three on Sunday and the final first-round playoff game in a new Monday night timeslot. The home teams have all been installed as favorites according to a consensus of the nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks.
Fresh off their wild overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders — who opened the season at +10000 to win the Super Bowl — will play the Cincinnati Bengals (preseason +15000) in the first round. That means at least one preseason longshot will reach the second round.
“When you look at the at top favorites to win the Super Bowl right now, you see elite quarterback play or home-field advantage, or both,” said Brett Collson
lead analyst for TheLines.com. “While the Packers and Chiefs are the favorites, the stage is set for a dramatic playoff scene this year. And with the game’s biggest names like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers at the forefront, this will be a huge playoff run for bettors and sportsbooks.”
The current odds for each playoff team to win Super Bowl LV as of Monday, Jan. 10 (with preseason odds):
- Green Bay Packers +400 (+1400)
- Kansas City Chiefs +500 (+500)
- Buffalo Bills +700 (+1150)
- Tennessee Titans +750 (+3000)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +850 (+650)
- Los Angeles Rams +1000 (+1500)
- Dallas Cowboys +1200 (+3500)
- Cincinnati Bengals +1800 (+15000)
- Arizona Cardinals +2000 (+4800)
- New England Patriots +2000 (+3700)
- San Francisco 49ers +2500 (+1400)
- Las Vegas Raiders +4000 (+10000)
- Philadelphia Eagles +6000 (+12500)
- Pittsburgh Steelers +6000 (+5000)
The consensus point spreads for Wild Card Weekend, as of Monday, Jan. 10:
- Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5); over/under 49
- New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-4.5); over/under 43.5
- Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5); over/under 49.5
- San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (-3); over/under 51
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (-12.5); over/under 46.5
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (-4); over/under 50
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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.
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.
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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