A criminal case against one gang member who participated in an attempted robbery that turned into murder gained traction earlier this week. The incident dates back to October 2019 when Ryan Gatzke, 27, was fatally shot and killed in his home by three members of a gang known as the “Terror Squad.”

On Monday this week, a filing with the case in North Battleford Provincial Court in Saskatchewan, Canada, from April 2021 was released to the public, revealing that the gang members were allegedly tipped by a casino worker that Gatzke had money in his home, as announced by Sask Today.

Additionally, on Monday this week, the youngest gang member, who was 17 at the time of the crime, agreed to be sentenced as an adult. Another three Terror Squad members were apprehended and sentenced for Gatzke’s murder already. The list includes Charles McLean, the gang’s getaway driver who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced in March 2022 to four years in prison.

On the other hand, Isaac Melco, another gang member pleaded guilty to manslaughter as well and received 12 years in prison back in February 2023. Similarly, Jacob Ballantyne, the third gang member who was involved in the bloody crime also pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years in prison back in June.

According to the April 2021 filing, which was recently made public, the gang members were told that Gatzke had money and drugs by a person who worked at a casino the victim visited earlier on the night of the incident. Prior to attempting to rob the victim, the Terror Squad members were given approval from senior members of the gang.

A Robbery Turns into Bloody Murder

The aforementioned incident dates back to October 18, 2019. At the time, Gatzke, together with his wife, visited a casino in North Battleford. Senior Crown Prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt revealed Monday that the couple won some money at the casino. “Not a large sum but some money,” she explained, outlining the two had a “fairly good night.” The victim and his wife had dinner as well as drinks before heading home.

Later on the same night, Gatzke’s home was invaded by Melco, Ballantyne and the third gang member whose name was not disclosed since he was 17 years old at the time. Gatzke and his wife were in bed when they were surprised by the three gang members who consumed a lot of alcohol, drugs and were wearing face masks.

The youngest culprit held a shotgun, Ballantyne was equipped with a 9mm handgun while Melco carried an SKS rifle. After an altercation with the victim, a total of three shots were fired. Gatzke was shot twice, while one bullet hit the bedroom ceiling. One of the shots severed the victim’s artery which was a lethal injury.

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In a strategic move aimed at enhancing its casino offerings and driving profitability by fiscal year 2025, PointsBet Canada has appointed Brooke Hilton as its new Head of Casino. Hilton, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the North American regulated iGaming industry, brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.

PointsBet Canada Gains a Strategic Edge with Brooke Hilton’s Expertise

Brooke Hilton, a native of Vancouver, previously worked with Ingenuity Gaming and Bally’s Interactive, where she served as Director of Business Development and Director of iGaming Product for North America, respectively. Additionally, she spent seven years with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, honing her skills as a slot and tables product manager for the online casino and product specialist for the online casino.

Expressing her excitement about the new role, Hilton shared her enthusiasm on LinkedIn, stating: “It is with immense joy that I announce the beginning of my journey as the head of casino at PointsBet. I have dedicated myself to the Canadian iGaming industry for the past 10-plus years. I’m absolutely thrilled to align my passion with a company as influential as PointsBet Canada.”

PointsBet Canada’s decision to bring Hilton on board underscores the company’s commitment to staying ahead in the competitive Canadian market. Hilton’s extensive experience in managing casino operations and developing localized commercial strategies aligns perfectly with PointsBet Canada’s vision for growth. 

As the company continues to expand its footprint in Ontario, Hilton’s expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of PointsBet Canada’s casino offerings. With Hilton at the helm, PointsBet Canada is well-positioned to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and deliver innovative and engaging casino experiences to its customers.

PointsBet Canada Surges Amidst Ontario’s Booming iGaming Market

PointsBet Canada’s decision to appoint Hilton comes at a pivotal time for the company. The Ontario market, where PointsBet Canada currently operates, has shown promising figures in the recently released Q2 FY (2023-24) market performance report. During this period, Ontario witnessed a significant increase in total wagers, reaching CAD14.2 billion ($10.4 billion), up from CAD14 billion ($10 billion) in Q1. The majority of the revenue, CAD11.9 billion ($8.6 billion) in wagers, came from the casino vertical, including slots, bingo, and table games. There were 943,000 active accounts during this period, with an average monthly spend per active player being CAD191 ($140).

Meanwhile, PointsBet, operating in Australia and North America, reported a slight 3% decrease in its total sports betting handle, which amounted to AUD611.0 million ($387.5 million) for Q1 FY24. This decline followed the sale of its US assets to Fanatics for $225 million. Despite the dip, the company experienced an 18% increase in total net win, reaching AUD58.2 million ($36.9 million) year-over-year. 

Notably, PointsBet’s operations in Canada showcased significant growth, with a 111% increase in turnover to AUD44.2 million ($28 million) and a 212% rise in total net win to AUD5.4 million ($3.4 million) during the same period. PointsBet’s CEO, Sam Swanel, expressed optimism about the company’s profitable path and emphasized Canada’s attractiveness as a market, surpassing certain regions in the United States.

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Money laundering is a criminal activity that involves individuals depositing funds, usually gained from illegal activities, through different businesses and then withdrawing them. Such crimes can often be complex and difficult to solve but not impossible. A recently released report suggests that one person, believed to be involved in drug trafficking, laundered proceeds through casinos across Winnipeg, Canada.

As announced by CTV News, a year-long investigation into the criminal activity resulted in the arrest of a person who was allegedly involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl. A 30-year-old man from Winnipeg with the initials M.R.H. was arrested on September 19, 2023, and charged for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering.

Once he was arrested, the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) executed a search warrant on his home. Reportedly, police found a large number of drugs, including 882 fentanyl tablets, 498 grams of crack cocaine, 26 gabapentin pills as well as 241 Percocet tablets. Additionally, law enforcement uncovered 348 tablets with unknown substances along with cash.

Ill-Gained Funds Were Laundered through Casinos

The arrest comes after a long operation by the Manitoba RCMP. Last year, law enforcement was contacted by the gambling regulator in the province, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, which flagged suspicious activities recorded across casinos in Winnipeg. This prompted the Mounties to launch a large-scale investigation against the illicit activity that involved drug trafficking and money laundering. The operation was called Project Doom.

The investigation uncovered that drugs were distributed to remote First Nation communities, including St. Theresa Point, Island Lake, Garden Hill and Red Sucker Lake, among others. Additionally, drug trafficking occurred in neighboring North Spirit Lake in Ontario.

According to the investigation, the suspect who was arrested was allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Through the illicit activity, the individual was able to accumulate large sums of cash which were then laundered through casinos by cashing in and out gambling chips. The Mounties did not confirm the total sum involved in the criminal activity, but it is believed that it was substantial.

After the suspect was arrested, he was released on CA$50,000 bail ($36,500) with special conditions, including a prohibition from visiting gambling venues. It’s important to note that the charges against M.R.H. are yet to be proven in court, which means that he remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Global gaming company International Game Technology (IGT) confirmed that its Wheel of Fortune and Powerbucks slots awarded the 50th jackpot of more than CA$1 million in Canada. The debut of the globally-recognizable slots from the leading gaming company in the country dates back to 2016. Gradually growing, the number of millionaires that have secured a prize in Canada from the Wheel of Fortune and Powerbucks slots, has now reached a milestone moment with the 50th lucky player securing a life-changing prize.

Judging by an announcement by IGT from Thursday, which comes after the recent publication of the company’s Sustainability Report, in less than a week, multiple jackpots dropped. The string of jackpot wins started in New Brunswick, Canada, on June 25, 2023, when a lucky online Powerbucks player enjoying Wheel of Fortune Hawaiian Getaway hit a jackpot of CA$1,533,377 ($1,168,300).

Then, only a few days later, on June 27, another Wheel of Fortune jackpot dropped. This happened at the Michael Gaughan Airport Slots located at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. One lucky player of the Wheel of Fortune Triple Double Emeralds slot won the life-changing $1,330,134 jackpot prize.

Shortly after, another Wheel of Fortune jackpot dropped in Canada. A lucky online Powerbucks slots customer in Ontario played the Wheel of Fortune Latin Getaways, allowing them to secure a jackpot prize of CA$1,029,546 ($784,400).

The globally-recognized Wheel of Fortune slots were launched nearly three decades ago back in 1996. Since then, IGT says, the slots have made more than 1,100 people millionaires. This translates to jackpot prizes of a sum surpassing $3.5 billion.

The Company Continues to Grow

Publishing its latest sustainability report, IGT highlighted multiple achievements it hit throughout 2022. Earlier this week, the company unveiled details regarding its latest report, highlighting advancements related to four of its core principles, including protection of its people, support for its communities, fostering sustainable operations and advancement of responsibility.

Earlier this month, IGT confirmed that its CEO of global lottery, Fabio Cairoli, unfortunately passed away. The company acknowledged his strategic guidance, dedication and commitment that helped it grow and expand. Cairoli was an exceptional leader with extensive experience in senior-level roles.

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It’s time for another USMNT vs. Canada duel. Only three weeks after the Americans beat the Canadians 2-0 to claim the CONCACAF Nations League, the two meet again. This time, it’s in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

It’s a different competition, and things are quite different now. The thing is that the biggest soccer stars from each country are not taking part in the 2023 Gold Cup. For instance, the USMNT is without such elite players as Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Folarin Balogun. Meanwhile, Canada is without its biggest superstar Alphonso Davies, as well as Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, and a few others.

Nevertheless, even without their best players, these two teams have made it to the Gold Cup quarterfinal. But which of these will end the journey at this stage? Let’s find out!

USMNT vs. Canada Odds

*Odds taken from FanDuel on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Date: Sunday, July 9, 2023
• Time: 5:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: FOX Sports

USMNT’s Offense Has Been Killing It in Gold Cup 2023

After a relatively bleak performance in the opening round of the Gold Cup, in which they drew 1-1 with Jamaica, the Americans went on to blow out Saint Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago. They won each of those games 6-0.

FC Dallas’ striker Jesus Ferreira was the standout player in both of those, scoring a hat-trick each time. The rest of the goals scored by the USMNT at the 2023 Gold Cup were the work of Djordje Mihailovic (two goals), Brandon Vazquez (two goals), Bryan Reynolds, Gianluca Busio, and Cade Cowell.

The Americans have been great at the back as well. They did concede a goal against Jamaica, but other than that, their goalie Matt Turner hasn’t been much busy. That’s no surprise knowing that he’s got some amazing defenders to protect him – Matt Miazga, Aaron Long, DeAndre Yedlin, and so on.

Luck’s Been on Canada’s Side So Far

The Canadians have made it to the quarterfinal of the Gold Cup but saying that they deserved it might not be 100% true. The thing is that they got to the knockout stage with a 1-2-1 record in the group phase. That’s kind of disappointing considering that they played in a relatively easy group.

They were -455 favorites against Guadeloupe in the first round, but the game finished with 2-2 on the scoreboard. In round 2, their 2023 Gold Cup odds were -167 to beat Guatemala, but the game finished with no goals on either end. Finally, in the third round, they got their first win of the tournament. They beat the +3300 underdog Cuba 4-2.

USMNT vs. Canada Prediction

Our prediction for this game is that the United States men’s national team will steamroll Canada. The Americans have been playing much better soccer than their northern neighbors so anything but a convincing win for the 2023 Gold Cup hosts would be a surprise.  

Pick: USMNT to win

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After a surprising 2-2 draw with Guadalupe in the first round of the 2023 Gold Cup, Canada is looking for its first win of the tournament. Canada was a -455 underdog ahead of that game, and something similar is the case ahead of the game with Guatemala on Saturday, July 1. At the moment of writing, John Herdman’s men are seen as -300 favorites.

Guatemala vs. Canada Odds

*Odds taken from Fan Duel on Thursday, June 29, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas
• Date: Saturday, July 1, 2023
• Time: 10:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: Fox Sports (United States), Fubo (Canada)

Guatemala to Defend With All 11 Players

Guatemala is topping the Group D table with three points thanks to a win over Cuba in the first round of the 2023 Gold Cup. The final score was 1-0 for Luis Fernando Tena’s team, but it could’ve easily been a much bigger win. The thing is that the Guatemalans were creating chance by chance by chance throughout the game.

This time, they’ll almost certainly go all-in on the defense. If they failed to score more than one goal against Cuba, they probably won’t score more against Canada. Plus, considering that they’ve already got three points, their goal in Saturday’s game will probably be a draw, which would bring another point their way.

Canada Needs to Do Much Better This Time

It seems that the Canadians still aren’t over the 2-0 loss to the USMNT in the final of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League. In the first game after the loss, they played 2-2 with Guadeloupe. It was an embarrassing result for Canada, although the fact is that coach Herdman did not bring Canada’s best players with him to the United States.