On Thursday, June 20, Dale Nally, Alberta Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, revealed at CGS that the province is officially moving forward with plans to open its own regulated market. 

“Let me tell you a little bit about what our gaming site is going to look like,” Nally said. “It’s going to be very similar to Ontario, because we’re following their model. As far as I’m concerned, they build the roadmap. We’ll massage it a little bit but it’s been inspired by the experience in Ontario. It’s going to be an open and free market.”

Despite being the only regulated gaming operator in the province, Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis, which operates the PlayAlberta brand, will not oversee the regulated operators in the province, Nally confirmed. 

Nally noted that operators wishing to enter the province would likely feel uneasy about cooperating with the AGLC and sharing data and information with a group that is essentially a competitor. 

Alberta could replicate Ontario’s approach to avoid this issue, where iGaming Ontario works separately from regulator Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to conduct and manage individual gaming operations in the province. 

Building on existing relationships between Alberta’s land-based gambling industry and the First Nations, Nally mentioned that the First Nations in the province will be involved in the marketplace as well.

Nally provided no timeline for the market opening, but did ensure that the legal steps are already in place for Danielle Smith, Alberta Premier, to move forward. 

The announcement follows on from a bill that was passed into legislature in Alberta last month to confirm the province’s ability to conduct and manage gaming as they see fit, opening the door for an open market.

The post Alberta makes landmark move for gaming expansion appeared first on CasinoBeats.

A prominent highlight of this year’s event is its emphasis on offering insights into various Canadian provinces. Representatives from Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Quebec and other regions will share their experiences, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview of the Canadian market.

Set to occur from June 18-20, the 27th edition of the event will reconvene at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, uniting senior decision-makers from pivotal operators, affiliates, regulatory bodies, media and suppliers specializing in the Canadian gambling market.

The summit will commence with the esteemed Player Protection Symposium. This intimate gathering, centered on responsible gambling and player safety, will host six panel discussions. These panels will explore various aspects, including the protection of high rollers, promoting ethical engagement through joint initiatives between marketing and responsible gambling teams, utilizing customer insights to formulate robust player protection strategies and beyond. Additionally, the Symposium will feature a live edition of Martin Lycka’s Safe Bet Show, with NHL Alumni Luke Gazdic as the special guest.

The main event days will commence after a pre-registration networking party at the RS Sports Bar, featuring a specialized Global Gaming Women Breakfast and various meetups such as African Americans in Gaming. Additionally, the highly anticipated Electronic Gaming Academy masterclass will make its return to the Summit, focusing on the relevance of total quality management. As evening falls, participants with full event passes can enjoy the official networking party at the Lavelle rooftop.

The concluding day of the event will feature the First Nations Breakfast Meetup and the second segment of the EGA masterclass, which will delve into the significance of RTP.

During the main conference segment, spanning the core days of the summit, attendees can expect to gain valuable insights from over 150 industry experts. Across two conference stages running simultaneously, these speakers will share their expertise on various topics, ranging from growth and leadership strategies to advancements in affiliation, advertising, payment, compliance and emerging trends in both sports betting and the land-based sector.

The agenda will include opening remarks by Duncan Hannay, President of OLG, and keynote presentations by Dale Nally, Minister of Service & Red Tape Reduction for the Province of Alberta and Brian Christopher, CEO & President of BC Slots. 

The agenda will also include a keynote panel discussion featuring crown corporation leaders Pat Davis (President & CEO of BCLC), Jean-François Bergeron (President & CEO of Loto-Québec), and Patrick Daigle (President & CEO of Atlantic Lottery Corporation) and Will Hill, Executive Director of the Canadian Lottery Coalition, will take place.

Reflecting a pan-Canadian theme, the expo floor will showcase a dedicated crown corporation lounge featuring major players including the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), Loto-Québec, Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC), Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MBLL), Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS).

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “I am really proud of all the work we’re doing here in Canada. Last year, we got the chance to familiarize ourselves with this new territory for SBC, and this year, we have many additions based on our findings and identifying the gaps. This event goes beyond discussing Ontario; it does a great job of educating the audience about the intricacies of operating in Canada, and most importantly, it has all the right people under the same roof. Use your time here wisely.”

For groups of three or more, you can purchase the ‘Group Pass Ticket’ gaining you access to all three days of the Canadian Gaming Summit for the discounted price of CA $795 per person. 

Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event. 
You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers & exhibitor additions, and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly Canadian Gaming Summit LinkedIn newsletter.

The post Beyond Ontario: Canadian Gaming Summit returns appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The dedicated tracks will commence on Thursday, June 20, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. To ensure a digestible learning experience for attendees, the content will be delivered in multiple formats such as keynotes, fireside chats, provincial roundtables and panel sessions.

The ‘Growth & Leadership’ track will open with a keynote address from Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction at the Government of Alberta. In his keynote, Nally will discuss why Alberta is an ideal focus for the gaming industry, and reveal Alberta’s plans for the future of online gaming.

During the subsequent panels, attendees can expect an in-depth exploration of the importance of protecting sports betting integrity, highlighting the need for collaborative initiatives to combat threats like match-fixing and insider betting through strategic partnerships and robust regulations.

Additionally, experts will analyze Alberta’s gambling market, with its extensive history, a wide casino network and a comprehensive online and offline lottery system, assessing its potential in the igaming sector. Another subject that will be discussed is Saskatchewan’s successful collaboration model between a provincial lottery and First Nations, examining its potential replication across Canada to foster growth, profit and empowerment for Indigenous communities and other stakeholders.

In addition, the agenda will feature several provincial roundtable sessions, with dedicated discussions on Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario and the First Nations. These sessions will be moderated by regional experts and provide an intimate educational environment that allows for an in-depth exploration of the intricacies of each province.

Speakers set to appear across the track include Scott Grant (Manager Competition Manipulation, CCES), John Wellendorf (Deputy Managing Director, IC360 Advisory North America), Jean-François Reymond (Education Consultant, IBIA), Scott Vanderwel (CEO, Pointsbet), Doug Hood (Project Director Gaming Modernization, AGCO) Amanda Brewer (Senior Executive, CGA), Rob Scarpelli (Managing Director, HLT Advisory), Brett Jackman (VP of Finance & Strategy, Pointsbet), Micahel Scida (VP, Retail and Restaurant Business Development, Environics Analytics), Geoff Smith (Sr VP, Century Casinos), Alon Segev (Managing Partner, Segev LLP) and many more. 

The ‘Payments and Compliance‘ track will focus on the role of payments, customer verification, and anti-fraud measures. It will discuss how evolving payment methods impact customer acquisition, loyalty, and operational benefits for operators, contributing to the growth and success of Canada’s online gaming industry.

Attendees will also witness live demonstrations from Interac, showcasing their verification solutions that enhance security and streamline processes for major Canadian operators.

Furthermore, the conference will address the complex landscape of money laundering and fraud, exploring how betting firms and payment companies are leveraging emerging technologies to balance user experience with robust anti-fraud and anti-money laundering (AML) strategies.

Speakers featured across the track include Chief Sidney Peters (Chief, Glooscap First Nation), Zane Hansen (CEO & President, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority), Umberto Corridori (SVP iGaming Int. Digital Payments, Nuvei), Sereena Boparai (CRO, Paramount Commerce), Katie Lever (CLO, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation), Krisztina Kalla (Corporate & Regulatory Compliance Manager, MTGG), Matt Bianchini(VP Compliance, Rivalry), Joseph Martin (CEO, Kinectify), David Foppert (Sr. Director of Compliance and Risk Management, DraftKings), Adam Fong (SVP Product Management, Everi) and Ilkim Hincer (Partner, Fogler & Board Chair for CGA).

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and founder of SBC, said: “Our conference team has worked tirelessly to craft a diverse and specialized experience for our attendees. Growth, leadership, payments, and compliance are the fundamental pillars of our industry, and we are proud to offer such crucial insights in an engaging, memorable, and educational format.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Delegates will have the chance to expand their knowledge of the Canadian market through conference tracks covering player protection, leaders & land-based, sports betting, and affiliates & advertising.

For groups of three or more, you can purchase the ‘Group Pass Ticket’ gaining you access to all three days of the Canadian Gaming Summit for the discounted price of CA $795 per person. 

Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event. 

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers & exhibitor additions, and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly Canadian Gaming Summit LinkedIn newsletter. 

The post Exploring leadership and growth at Canadian Gaming Summit appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Published to coincide with the Canadian Gaming Summit at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 18-20, the CGB magazine puts some of the hottest debates in the Canadian business under the spotlight and highlights the activities of some of the biggest organizations. 

Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario, is the cover interviewee for this issue and chronicles the adventure of setting up the government agency. Otton gives a deep dive into the key challenges of establishing the private, regulated market in Ontario, celebrates the achievements of the first two years, and sets out the agency’s aims moving forward. 

Meanwhile, the debate around advertising rages on in Canada. CGB magazine speaks to industry experts including Canadian Gaming Association President Paul Burns and Catherine MacLeod of ThinkTV to get different perspectives on how sports betting and igaming adverts have been received across Ontario. 

Away from Ontario, CGB speaks to Natasha Questel, Chief Social Purpose Officer at BCLC about the crown corporation’s strategy for maximizing its provisions for good causes and marketing. This issue also offers a ‘state of the nation’, analyzing which province, if any, could follow in Ontario’s footsteps and open a regulated private market. 

On the land-based sector, the Louis Bull Tribe’s Erika Bull-Giroux opens up on how the opening of the Bear Hills Casino and Resort has offered the First Nation a huge opportunity for economic development, and Mohegan’s Ray Pineault reveals how the group’s Niagara properties have bounced back from the pandemic and thrived. 

The physical version of the CGB magazine will be available at the Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 18-20. The 27th edition of Canada’s leading betting and gaming industry conference, SBC in collaboration with the Canadian Gaming Association, will welcome over 3,000 attendees to Toronto for three days of networking, learning and business opportunities. 

To purchase tickets for the Canadian Gaming Summit, please click here. 

The post CGB Magazine: celebrating two years of Ontario, building upon a solid foundation appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The upcoming Canadian Gaming Summit will seek to address this concern, with focused discussions on maximising loyalty with CRM technologies, building strong operator-affiliate partnerships and delving into the latest gamification strategies to aid affiliates and other marketeers in converting new players and instilling brand loyalty. 

The ‘Affiliate & Advertising’ conference track will take place on Thursday, June 20, the second core day of Canada’s premier gaming and betting event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The dedicated track will consist of an exploration of the key topics in marketing and affiliation, such as innovative fan engagement strategies, how to effectively appeal to the next generation of players and methods to maintain a strong brand image. 

Opening the track is the panel titled ‘Maximising Loyalty with CRM: Leveraging Gamification and AI Strategies,’ which will explore innovative CRM strategies to increase brand loyalty. Industry experts Gibran Khan (Director of Growth Marketing & CRM, FanDuel), Stewart Groumoutis (Director of Digital Strategy, BCLC) and panel moderator Tommy Kearns (CEO, XTREMEPUSH) will delve into the transformative power of free-to-play games and AI technologies in crafting dedicated players, the global trends impacting the industry and how operators are integrating gamification and AI to enhance CRM practices. 

The panel titled ‘Next-Gen Gamification: Engaging Millennials and Gen Z’ will address optimal strategies to attract and engage Millennials and Gen Z players. Expert panelists Brooke Hilton (Head of Casino, Pointsbet Canada), James White (Co-Founder & COO, Hot Takes Sports), Steven Salz (CEO, Rivalry), Andrew Darley (VP, iCasino & iLottery, OLG), Sim Bielak (President, Suzohapp) and panel moderator Jesse Learmonth (Host, Betting Startups Podcast) will discuss the nuances between both demographics, explore how traditional casinos and bookmakers can adapt to appeal to younger audiences and how innovative gamification features such as social gaming to interactive storytelling can aid in appealing to the next generation of gamers. 

The panel titled ‘Building Lasting Partnerships: Affiliates and Operators’ will provide delegates with the framework to craft successful operator-affiliate partnerships. Esteemed industry experts JD Mcnamara (Country Manager, Better Collective), Cassie Brickman (CEO, Betting Hero), Vanda Silva (Chief Corporate Officer, Clever Advertising) and moderator Bryan Bennett (Consultant, NoCo Strategy) will explore the crucial elements required to craft fruitful partnerships such as the alignment of specific marketing metrics, understanding regulatory compliance and establishing mutually beneficial goals.

The final track panel of the day, titled ‘Fan Engagement Strategies in Sports Betting’, will equip delegates with the tools to engage Canadian sports fans effectively. Industry experts Joseph Hanson (Director of Sportsbook Operations, DraftKings), Corey Brown (VP of Product Management, TheScore), Allanah Della Vedova (Brand Director, FanDuel), Dami Amurawaiye (Head of Sportsbook & Operations, Pointsbet) and panel moderator Mark Silver (CEO, Homestand Sports) will explore innovative features such as interactive mobile apps and real-time engagement features that are enhancing the immersive experience for players.

Additionally, the panel will discuss the latest fan engagement strategies for Canadian bettors and how sports league partnerships and social media integration can encourage wider fan participation.

Additionally, delegates will have the opportunity to glean invaluable insights into the canadian market through dedicated conference tracks covering player protection, leaders & land-based, sports betting, growth & leadership and payments & compliance.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For groups of three or more, you can purchase the ‘Group Pass Ticket’ gaining you access to all three days of the Canadian Gaming Summit for the discounted price of CA $795 per person. 

Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event. 

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers & exhibitor additions, and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly Canadian Gaming Summit LinkedIn newsletter. 

The post Canadian Gaming Summit: unlocking the door to marketing success appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The ‘Land-based’ conference track will commence on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 19, the first core day of Canada’s premier gaming and betting event, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. 

Tailored for the 3,000 industry professionals attending the event, panels will cover a range of topics, from the revitalization of charitable gaming to strategies for identifying signs of human trafficking in land-based casinos, and how integrating omnichannel technology can be a game changer for the land-based segment.

Kicking off the track is the panel titled ‘Modern Approaches to Traditional Verticals: Digitization Comes for Lottery, Bingo, and Horses.’ This session will explore how emerging technologies can be leveraged by these traditional sectors. Tom Metzger (CEO, Lotto.com), Lloyd Danzig (Managing Partner, Sharp Alpha Advisors), Bill Pascrell III (Partner, PPAG), Stuart Godfrey (Managing Director, Mkodo),  Colin Cole-Johnson (CEO, Bede Gaming), and panel moderator Tony Plaskow (CEO, Pixiu Gaming) will discuss the optimal strategies for digital operators aiming to enter markets with a land-based mindset and how they can integrate innovation with a traditional approach.

​​The panel titled ‘Charitable Gaming (Ontario): the Value, the Impact, and the Partnership’ will provide insights into the revitalization of charitable gaming in Ontario and examine how key players collaborate to maintain its relevance in the ever-evolving gaming landscape. Speakers Lynn Cassidy (Executive Director, OCGA), David Pridmore (Chief Gaming Officer, OLG), David Philips (Chief Operating Officer, AGCO), and moderator Peter McMahon (Chief Executive Officer, CGAO) will discuss the significance of such partnerships among key stakeholders in bringing charitable gaming back to the forefront, along with the successes and challenges of these collaborations.

The panel ‘Identifying and Combating Human Trafficking in Land-Based Casinos’ will address the growing issue of human trafficking in land-based casinos and explore the latest safeguarding protocols available. Expert speakers Derek Ramm (Global Head Advisory Services, Kinectify Advisors), Kevin deBruyckere (Director of AML & Investigation, BCLC ), Paul Pelizzari (VP of Social Responsibility, Hard Rock International), and Julia Drydyk (Executive Director, The Centre to End Human Trafficking), alongside panel moderator Ian Messenger (CEO & Founder, ACGCS) will identify the telltale signs of human trafficking and offer key strategies to enhance player safeguarding and create safer gaming environments.

Concluding the track is the panel titled ‘Transforming the Land-Based Brand: Omnichannel Tech and Innovation’. This session will explore how land-based casinos are embracing omnichannel technology to revolutionize their services and enhance the customer experience. Industry experts Michael Brady (Chair, Bede Gaming), Stewart Groumoutis (Director of Digital Strategy, BCLC), Phil Chatterton (VP Sales & Partnerships, Comm100), Harrison Barrett (Business Development Director, GiG), Yaniv Komemi (CEO, MTGG) and moderator Martin Collins (CBDO, Soft2Bet) will delve into the omnichannel technology that is revitalizing the land-based casino experience, evaluate the success of destination resorts, and explore how brands can reinvent their marketing output to promote their latest innovations.

In addition to the content that will be explored during the ‘Land-based track,’ delegates will have the opportunity to delve into other key industry areas of interest through dedicated conference tracks covering player protection, sports betting, growth & leadership, payments & compliance and affiliation & advertising. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

For groups of three or more, you can purchase the ‘Group Pass Ticket’ gaining you access to all three days of the Canadian Gaming Summit for the discounted price of CA $795 per person. 

Operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers & exhibitor additions, and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly Canadian Gaming Summit LinkedIn newsletter. 

The post Canadian Gaming Summit to highlight land-based operations appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The upcoming Canadian Gaming Summit will bring the player safety discussion back to the forefront, equipping delegates with the latest safeguarding practices and ethical marketing strategies that promote growth without compromising player well-being.

The 300-capacity Player Protection Symposium will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto on Tuesday, June 18th, a day before the core days of the summit. Delegates will delve into crucial player protection issues, including effective strategies for marketing responsible gambling initiatives, methods to safeguard high-stakes players and discussions on establishing a robust yet reputable brand for operators.

Opening the symposium is the panel titled ‘Safeguarding the Stakes: Strategies for Player Protection at the VIP/High Roller Level,’ which will address the pressing need to protect high-stake players. Expert speakers Martin Lycka (SVP Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gaming, Entain), Bill Pascrell III (Partner, PPAG), Adi Markus (Director of Customer Success, Optimove) and moderator Jay Robinson (Principal, JR Consulting), will discuss additional measures operators can put in place to protect players. They will examine the latest player monitoring technologies and establish a framework to enhance the standard of care for VIP players.

The panel ‘Ethical Engagement: Harmonizing Branding and Responsible Gaming Efforts’ will examine how branding can effectively bolster responsible gambling initiatives. Industry experts Sarah Brennan (Sr Director Compliance, BetMGM), Aaron GlynWilliams (Director Social Responsibility, OLG), Riona Mohan (Director of Marketing, Betty), Jacob Hargaden-Llewellin (Country Manager Canada, LeoVegas) and moderator Ilkim Hincer (Partner, Fogler) will examine the relationship between responsible gaming and marketing teams. They will also discuss the most effective strategies to portray authentic customer care and ensure player trust. 

The panel titled ‘Navigating Responsible Marketing: Ensuring Compliance and Promoting Safe Gambling Practices’ will explore the best practices for marketing teams aiming to promote products in a responsible and ethical manner. Industry experts Gavin Whiteley (CMO, Great Canadian Entertainment), Ryan McCarthy (Director of Player Health, BCLC) and Tyjondah Kerr (Director of Social Responsibility, OLG), will delve into the most effective marketing practices to prevent regulatory scrutiny and public backlash. They will also discuss how brands can avoid marketing to vulnerable players and assess the risks and benefits of utilizing high-profile celebrity endorsements. 

Concluding the symposium is the panel ‘Unified Visions, Diverse Paths: Responsible Gaming Initiatives Across Canadian Provinces,’ which will delve into the diverse approaches adopted by provinces in promoting responsible gambling. Esteemed speakers Paul Burns (President, Canadian Gaming Association), Catherine Jarmaine (Director, Industry Programs and Monitoring, iGaming Ontario) and panel moderator Mike Maodus (Senior Associate, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP​) will explore the array of responsible gambling programs implemented across provinces. They will also exchange provincial insights and discuss effective solutions beneficial to all provinces. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For groups of three or more, you can purchase the ‘Group Pass Ticket’ gaining you access to all three days of the Canadian Gaming Summit for the discounted price of CA $795 per person. 

Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event. 

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers & exhibitor additions, and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly Canadian Gaming Summit LinkedIn newsletter. 

The post Canadian Gaming Summit to place a spotlight on responsible gambling appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The ‘Making Waves: Marketing Innovation in an Online World’ keynote will feature as part of the ‘Leaders’ conference track, taking place on Wednesday, June 19, the first core day.

The keynote, led by Paul Burns, President of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), will investigate the influence of new generations of slot enthusiasts on gaming behaviours. Moreover, it will examine how social communities contribute to the development of effective and innovative player marketing strategies within today’s interconnected landscape.

Brian Christopher commented: “I’m really excited to be back home and to be launching my branded slot machine in Ontario with SBC! It’s a big moment for me and super special.

“Some in the industry have been slow to see the potential of social digital platforms for marketing – like super slow! But I’ve been deep in it for over eight years now: casinos who were early adopters have reaped the benefits, and you can see how much social media and gaming have blown up since then. There’s still so much opportunity out there for marketers who are willing to dive in. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned, give some tips on using digital platforms, and help brands get a solid spot in the online world.”

A native of Burlington, Canada, Brian Christopher has had a varied, yet illustrious career. After training at Humber College for theatre performance, much of Brian’s early career was dedicated to the film and television industry. During this time Brian made several notable appearances in productions such as Hallmark’s ‘The Christmas Parade’, BBC’s ‘Copper’, not to mention a spot in a classically Canadian Tim Hortons commercial. 

In 2016, a year after moving to Los Angeles, Brian Christopher found fame on YouTube with his slot machine gambling channel ‘Brian Christopher Slots’. The series followed Brian visiting land-based casinos throughout the US, chronicling his wins and losses on a host of slot machines. As of 2024, Brian Christopher reaches eight Million monthly viewers and has garnered over one Billion video views across all platforms.

In July 2022, Brian debuted his very own slot machine, ‘Brian Christopher’s Pop’N Pays More’ at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Designed in partnership with Gaming Arts, the game was praised for its replayable game mechanics, vibrant and exciting animations, and entertaining voiceovers from Brian himself. Due to its continued popularity, ‘Brian Christopher’s Pop’N Pays More’ has been enjoyed in almost 100 casinos across 15 states, and at sea on Carnival Cruise Line. In 2023, to celebrate its first anniversary, ‘Brian Christopher’s Pop’N Pays More’ was made available to play online via Chumba Casino.

In 2023, the Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, announced the opening of the newly expanded ‘Brian Christopher Slots at Plaza’, an innovative experience for casino goers and fans alike. The unique space offers players the first smoke-free environment to play in Downtown Las Vegas, and encourages the use of phones and social media – two features traditionally discouraged on casino floors.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, explained: “In the past few years, social media influencers and casino streamers have totally shaken up the digital world. Brian Christopher’s been there from the start, leading the way, so his keynote is a chance for everyone to dig into a part of the industry that’s still kind of mysterious to a lot of people but has tons of promise. Brian’s no stranger to SBC either; he’s even bagged a couple of awards already.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Purchase your Early Bird ticket at the discounted price of CA$795 and gain access to all three days of the Canadian Gaming Summit, including the Player Protection Symposium, the exhibition, the conference, and exclusive networking parties.

Operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event

The post Casino streamer Brian Christopher to appear at Canadian Gaming Summit appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In a debate session that was titled ‘responsible gaming as a driver for growth’, and that began with talk of Quebec’s maple syrup monopoly, the 45 minute discussion delved down a multitude of key avenues.

As we continue to relive our Ontario escapades, the concluding edition of our three-part special saw the panellists quizzed on what needs to happen long-term to achieve overarching responsible gambling goals. 

Dan Spencer, Director of Safer Gambling at Epic Risk Management, Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at OLG, Shelly White, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council, Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos, and Jacob Coin, Executive Advisor to the Chair of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, gazed into their crystal balls.

ML: Looking ahead, what needs to happen next on RG, or even the wider consumer protection front, to achieve the so coveted long term sustainability of the Ontario market or the markets beyond? Is it a matter of quality or quantity? 

DS: There’s lessons from Europe that have to be learned. We’ve been talking about this for years at this point, and the same mistakes are still being made. 

“I think having a certain bar that everybody must meet is important”

Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos

So if you look at Europe, Europe’s journey, the mistakes we made were that the marketing message wasn’t right for the customers, we didn’t break the link between payday loan companies and gambling companies and we didn’t we didn’t protect those vulnerable customers in the right way. We actually treated the problematic customers, the VIP customer. 

So those three things have already happened in North America, we’ve already not learned those lessons … some operators out there have already tripped over those wires that were easily to avoid.

If we look forward to the future of what needs to happen across this, I’m talking about global industry here, we need RG in every boardroom. In every boardroom of every operator, the highest person in your team for RG needs to be in the boardroom. That’s how important it is. They need to be on a comparative salary to those that are working in the commercial side of your business, because RG is a commercial side of the business.

NS: I think we need to do a better job at collaborating with the stakeholders that we have, especially among operators. I think having a certain bar that everybody must meet is important. 

I think there’s an opportunity to get better. I think that’s an opportunity. And in terms of quality over quantity, I think it’s both. 

“Don’t rest on your laurels, heed the warnings, do the work, get your RG priorities out of your backlogs”

Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at OLG

I think the quantity of the message needs to continue to increase. We need to get more creative with the RG message. 

I’ve seen some ads from online gaming companies that are quite funny, but it gets the message across in a different way. So I think from a marketing perspective we need to get a bit more creative, and I’m speaking about ourselves and the industry in general. 

JC: I fully agree that there needs to be greater coordination and collaboration among the operators in Indian country. 

For example, if someone were to self exclude or self ban from San Manuel, nothing stops them from going to Morongo 18 miles away and playing in their casino, or Agua Caliente another 20 miles away. 

So there’s got to be some kind of an understanding among tribes and tribal properties that we’re all in this together, at least to some degree. We obviously are not going to all have the same kinds of commitments, but it’d be nice if we could at least agree on a bar that’s high.

AG: Don’t rest on your laurels, heed the warnings, do the work, get your RG priorities out of your backlogs and move your programmes and move your policies forward. We have all kinds of examples from Europe, we also have seen what’s happened in Australia. 

“…we’ve got a solid foundation to build upon in this country that is going to, I believe, influence other markets globally”

Shelly White, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council

What kind of effort would we be willing to put in to protect the fact that our customers want to use their credit cards? What kind of effort would we be willing to put in to protect the fact that we want to run ads during sports broadcasts? And before 9pm? What kind of effort would we put into the fact that we want to avoid getting a $450m fine? 

These are real examples of what happens when you don’t focus on our GE and move your programmes and your policies forward. There are lessons to be learned.

SW:  I’m going to try to summarise in four points, what we talk about at RGC at the board level and at the staff level, in terms of what needs to be done next.

We’ve done a lot, and we’ve got a solid foundation to build upon in this country that is going to, I believe, influence other markets globally. 

First of the four points is prevention, secondly, data analytics and research, thirdly, measurement, evaluate any evaluation and the fourth is a pan Canadian approach.

To read the first part of this Canadian Gaming Summit special edition click here, while part two can be found here.

The post Ontario RG: there’s lessons from Europe that have to be learned appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In a debate session that was titled ‘responsible gaming as a driver for growth’, and that began with talk of Quebec’s maple syrup monopoly, the 45 minute discussion delved down a multitude of key avenues.

In the second of a three-part CasinoBeats special, Shelly White, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council, Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos, Dan Spencer, Director of Safer Gambling at Epic Risk Management, Jacob Coin, Executive Advisor to the Chair of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at the OLG, impart their wisdom once again.

ML: Are we efficient enough in promoting what we do, and proving what we’ve done and how well we’ve done it on the RG side of things?

SW: Over the past three years we’re hearing more conversation among leaders in the gambling industry, talking about how they feel that having a focus on responsible gambling is contributing to their sustainability, their bottom line as organisations. 

So they talk about by doing the right thing, they believe that it’s contributing to their sustainability. They also talk about how they believe that by doing the right thing, that it’s contributing to customer retention and customer loyalty.

“I think that we all do a good job of promoting our commitment to responsible gambling, proving it is a lot harder”

Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at the OLG

And there is some data that corresponds. Those operators who implement responsible gambling strategies do have higher rates of employee retention. Employees actually feel proud to be part of an organisation that walks the walk when they talk about consumer protection and customer care and that kind of thing. 

We know through ESG reporting, that there’s talk about how RG contributes to the value, the contribution, the good works, that a gambling industry provides to society, economic growth and development, etc. 

But I say believe because we don’t have a scorecard, we don’t have a set of metrics in order to prove this. And I believe that this is an extremely important next step for this industry to develop a common set of metrics to be able to measure and communicate the impact that responsible gambling and player health etc are having on the industry going forward.

AG: I think that we all do a good job of promoting our commitment to responsible gambling, proving it is a lot harder. But we know, we know the role that it plays. 

I think the position I take in the debate is not that it is a driver for growth, it is the driver for growth, especially moving forward. 

Our responsible gambling campaigns over perform our product campaigns on building trust in OLG, getting players to want to try our products. 

We know that we are losing revenue from players who self exclude. From those that self excluded, we lost two per cent in a previous year when we did the analysis.

“But really, for me, it’s building RG into the fabric of the DNA of our organisation”

Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos

JC: If we believe first of all what we’re reading about these up and coming generations, the millennials, gen z’s, we’ve heard or read the stories that they say that they would rather spend their money supporting companies that have a social conscience, that believe and social justice, the environment and all these other things. 

And if we also believe that our current slot players, that demo is aging out pretty soon. The 60-65 year olds are not going to be able to visit our properties very much anymore. So we’ve got to focus on the millennials and the gen z’s as the new areas of growth. 

And RG programmes give us a perfect opportunity to give them this value proposition of how we treat our customers, how we care for them, how we prepare for them to protect their interest, is going to go a long way, we believe, in attracting this new demographic for future growth.

NS: More importantly how do you create that culture where you just feel it and everybody in the organisation cares? And I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that there’s people even in our organisation that really haven’t still bought in. 

So, how do you bring them along? How do you bring along the continuum, so they not only believe it, that they also share that with our customer. 

I think we have a way to go. You could say, oh we’ve done 100 per cent training, we’ve done that and this. But really, for me, it’s building RG into the fabric of the DNA of our organisation.

“We should all know by now problematic gamblers are not good for business”

Dan Spencer, Director of Safer Gambling at Epic Risk Management

DS: Let’s answer the question of the subject of this panel responsible gambling for growth. We should all know by now problematic gamblers are not good for business. So that should answer the question. 

I know clients of mine that have done private studies on why their customers choose them as a casino, and they cannot believe the percentage that choose them because they believe them to be an ethical operator. 

We’re dealing with a new generation coming through now that chooses to spend their money based on a set of moral and ethical values. And that is huge. 

What I need is for an operator to go and prove it to the rest of the industry. I need an operator to come out there and say we’ve focused so much on RG, we’ve closed down this percentage of accounts, and our profits have gone up. And here’s why.

To read the first part of this Canadian Gaming Summit special edition, click here.

The post Canadian Gaming Summit: moral & ethical values key in attracting future generations appeared first on CasinoBeats.