Canada
XPOINT CONTINUES EXPANSION WITH ADDITIONAL KEY HIRES IN COMPLIANCE, MARKETING, PRODUCT AND SALES
Xpoint, the leading geolocation and compliance technology company specializing in U.S. sports betting and iGaming markets, has announced five new key hires to senior roles in compliance, marketing, product and sales, strengthening the company’s presence globally, and in particular in the USA where all five new additions are based. Edward Bedrosian Jr. becomes Xpoint’s Chief Regulatory & Compliance Officer, bringing experience which includes four years as Executive Director of Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and as a Partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Tom Webb joins Bedrosian Jr. on Xpoint’s executive leadership team as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), bringing over 25 years of experience in global marketing and communications from the sports betting and iGaming industry, as well as Formula 1, the Olympic Games, Major League Soccer and Red Bull. Lana Lagow and Raul Bouchot add significant expertise, contacts and North American industry knowledge to Xpoint as Sr. Business Development Managers, reporting to Xpoint Chief Revenue Officer, Matt Robarts. Alli Rubin joins Xpoint as Product Manager, a role she previously held with FanDuel since 2019.
“I’m delighted to welcome Ed, Tom, Lana, Raul and Alli to Xpoint and am excited to see the positive impact they are all going to make to our already accelerated growth trajectory,” commented Marvin Sanderson, Xpoint Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “Ed’s experience speaks for itself. A former Executive Director or the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and a seasoned attorney, he will lead our compliance and regulation team. Tom is a key hire for us, taking on the opportunity to build the Xpoint brand and bringing decades of experience working with some of the most famous brands worldwide. Lana and Raul are also vital additions to our team, strengthening our base in the USA and bringing over 50 years of combined sales and business development skills to Xpoint. Finally, we’re proud that Alli took up the opportunity to join Xpoint from FanDuel. Her experience and knowledge of how one of the world’s biggest operators works is going to add real value to our team.”
Edward Bedrosian Jr. has served as both the head of a gaming regulatory practice at an AM Law 50 law firm, and as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. He has been intimately involved in the expansion of online gaming, advising clients, and working with regulators on issues including rule making, licensing and compliance. As a trusted gaming advisor, Ed has counseled clients including major sports leagues and online gaming operators as they navigated the introduction of online sports wagering in many new U.S. states.
Tom Webb is based in Austin, Texas, from where he will lead Xpoint’s global marketing and communications activities. Originally from the UK, Tom has lived and worked in the USA since 2014, and has most recently led marketing and communications activities for a range of sports betting, iGaming, gambling and sports clients with Red Knot, the boutique marketing and communications agency. Prior to Red Knot, Tom has enjoyed roles with Austin FC (Major League Soccer), in Formula 1 (working with teams, sponsors, race promoters and F1 drivers), with Red Bull, Emirates Airline and the Olympic Games.
Lana Lagow is a Business Development veteran with over 30 years of experience supporting businesses in a variety of different industries. A native to Grand Prairie, Texas, she attended Grand Prairie High School and also attended Texas State University. Out of college she spent time in banking then switched to employee benefits and life insurance, growing her firm into a multi-million-dollar agent channel while maintaining a 98% client retention rate over 23 years. After selling her firm, she shifted her focus to high-risk payments, which has allowed her to become well-rounded in both acquisition and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment systems. In addition, Lana’s involvement in the high-risk payments industry has yielded many relationships with operators and consultants in the sports betting, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), iGaming, and tribal gaming industry.
Raul Bouchot joins Lana Lagow as Xpoint Sr. Business Development Manager. A bilingual graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Raul has worked in business development in the sports betting, iGaming and gambling industry in the USA for nearly 30 years. His career began in 1993 with Shuffle Master where he reached the role of VP of International Sales by the time he moved to TCSJOHNHUXLEY Americas in 2001, initially as EVP, then as CEO. Since then, his resumé has included senior leadership roles with IGT, Poker Tec, Nuvei, and now Xpoint.
Alli Rubin is Xpoint’s new Product Manager, based in New York. Alli was previously with FanDuel, most recently as Product Manager, Optimization, managing casino and sportsbook product experimentation and optimization. A graduate of Lehigh University, Alli’s post-university career began as a Systems Analyst at Vitech Systems Group, before moving to FanDuel in 2019 as a Business Analyst in FanDuel’s Operational Readiness team.
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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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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.
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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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