Gambling Weekly News Summary in Canada – 2025/07/19
Baseball Legend Derek Jeter to Head BetMGM Responsible Gambling Campaigns in Canada
Online sports betting and casino operator BetMGM Canada has announced baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter as a brand ambassador. Jeter will appear in commercials highlighting the platform’s responsible gambling tools as part of the multi-year deal.
The first commercials from this partnership will air in Canada and the US later in 2025. Jeter has also signed an agreement to work as a brand ambassador for BetMGM in the US, which will also entail advertising other elements of BetMGM products and promoting responsible gambling.
Jeter enjoyed a 20-year career in the MLB playing for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed “The Captain,” Jeter picked up five Gold Gloves and 14 All-Star nods. With the franchise, he won five World Series.
Jeter said, “BetMGM’s commitment to excellence and overall approach help them stand out as an innovator in their space. They have worked hard to create a real community in their audience. I look forward to working with their team to build connections within their base of players and support the company’s continued growth.”
Soft2Bet’s ToonieBet Named Official Partner of the Canadian Football League
Online gambling platform operator Soft2Bet has agreed with the Canadian Football League to tie the sports league with its Canadian online gambling brand, ToonieBet. ToonieBet’s agreement will see the operator work as the Official Sports Betting and Official Casino Partner of the CFL and the Grey Cup.
“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.
The agreement will give Soft2Bet and ToonieBet access to official CFL statistics and data, which they can use through their online betting platforms to provide better pregame and in-play betting experiences. ToonieBet branding will appear on CFL Fantasy, while the sportsbook will provide the odds on the CFL’s digital scoreboard.
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Pays Out Q1 Revenue to Host Cities
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has paid out Q1 revenues to casino host cities, reaching $43.6 million. That’s a significant increase from the $27.3 million paid out in Q4 2024. Since the payment scheme started in 1994, OLG has paid around $2.3 billion to host cities and communities.
“OLG is a strong partner providing substantial benefits to communities across Ontario,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “In addition to creating jobs in host gaming communities, OLG’s sharing of local casino revenues with municipalities helps fund important local public services that improve quality of life for residents.”
Looking at a few prominent casino host cities, the City of Hamilton received around $1.5 million for hosting Elements Casino Flamboro, bringing the total since the casino opened to $112.3 million. Meanwhile, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ottawa earned the city over $2 million, bringing total payments to $111.5 million.
Ziv (Steve) Chen
CEO at Major League Content
Ziv has been working in the iGaming industry for more than two decades, serving in senior roles in software developers like Playtech and Microgaming. He then followed his lifelong passion of writing and became a fulltime journalist, covering casinos, sports betting, legislation and other gambling topics and news with a specialty in North America.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziv-steve-chen-94b01b5/
