Canada
Oxygen Esports Partners with Drinkswear Brand, Ice Shaker

The partnership signifies the extension of the relationship between Oxygen Esports and the Gronkowski family and sees their brand Ice Shaker become the Performance Bottle and Shaker Partner for all rosters
Ice Shaker and Oxygen Esports are thrilled to announce their new partnership where Ice Shaker will become the official Performance Bottle and Shaker Partner of Oxygen Esports, the Boston Uprising and the newly announced Boston Call of Duty League franchise. This announcement is an expansion of the partnership between Oxygen and the Gronkowski family, who announced their involvement in OXG’s latest fundraising round in December. Ice Shaker continues its move into esports as they will provide equipment and performance consulting for all OXG’s rosters.
Ice Shaker is a family-operated business created and used by the Gronkowski brothers. The five pro athletes from the National Football League and Major League Baseball who needed a bottle designed to perform well while looking fresh on their respective playing fields. The bottle is forged from kitchen grade stainless steel that will not absorb odor like plastic bottles do and features a patented twist-in agitator that breaks up powders but is silent when you shake the bottle. Ice Shaker offers a product so far above competitors that during their appearance on Shark Tank they were offered by all 5 sharks and closed a deal with Mark Cuban & Alex Rodriguez.
“Gamers need a bottle that will keep their drinks cold all day, won’t spill, won’t sweat and can mix their favorite energy drinks,” says Chris Gronkowski, Founder and CEO of Ice Shaker. “Ice Shaker is the perfect gaming bottle, and we are excited to see OXG stay hydrated with a bottle that was built for the best.”
Oxygen Esports is New England’s largest esports organization with rosters competing at the highest level across some of the most-watched titles in esports, including Call of Duty, Overwatch, Valorant, Halo, Rainbow Six: Siege, Rocket League and Apex Legends.
“We are elated to expand our partnership with the Gronkowski family and welcome Ice Shaker as a partner for all of our rosters,” said Murphy Vandervelde, Co-Founder of Oxygen. “With most of our leadership team having played collegiate and professional athletics we know how important it is to equip our athletes to perform in-game, during practice and off the stage. Ice Shaker’s proven technology will allow our gamers to stay hydrated with a cold beverage for hours. No matter how heated the competition gets, we can count on Ice Shaker to keep our teams cool.”
Not only is Ice Shaker’s technology best in class, but the bottle also features highly customizable bottle designs and slick design profiles to make sure consumers have a bottle for every occasion.
“Ice Shaker’s highly customizable design will allow us to offer our fans plenty of unique and limited-edition color ways enabling them to stay fresh and hydrated,” said Adam Morrison, Chief Operating Officer of OXG. “we are looking forward to keeping our fans on their toes with surprise drops, contests and influencer collaborations.”
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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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