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Conscious Gaming Appoints Three Members to Newly Created Advisory Board – Deepens Commitment to Responsible Gaming Effectiveness

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Conscious Gaming today announced the creation of an Advisory Board to help the non-profit as it continues to build scale and deepen its commitment to utilizing advanced technology to strengthen responsible gaming and exclusion programs across the iGaming and sports betting industries in the U.S.

Conscious Gaming’s new Advisory Board will guide efforts to build technical solutions based on evidence-based research to better help people deal with gambling-related problems and provide the industry with preventative tools.

The esteemed members appointed to the Advisory Board are:

  • Brett Abarbanel, PhD – Director of Research, International Gaming Institute, UNLV; Assistant Professor, William F. Harrah College of Hospitality; Research Affiliate, University of Sydney
  • Debi A. LaPlante, PhD – Director of the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS)
  • Kahlil Philander, PhD – Assistant Professor of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University

“In order to shape our initiatives and achieve our goals, it is imperative we collaborate with leading academic organizations and stakeholders dedicated to responsible gaming policy and the prevention of problem gambling,” said Conscious Gaming Trustee Anna Sainsbury. “We are honored these incredibly accomplished individuals have agreed to come aboard and help us tackle the challenges in front of us. Individually, they are among the best in the world, and combining their talents and expertise on the Conscious Gaming board can open up tremendous opportunities for us to pursue in the future.”

Conscious Gaming endeavors to unite the industry in order to solve the challenges created by the patchwork of state-by-state requirements in the United States.

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“Gambling in the U.S. is going through massive growth, in which platforms compete to create the most appealing digital gambling experiences,” said Dr. Abarbanel. “I value the opportunity to assist Conscious Gaming in applying their vast, advanced technological knowledge to a variety of important social responsibility initiatives in the gambling space, with the shared goal of developing a sustainable environment.”

The first effort from Conscious Gaming is a responsible gaming technology tool called PlayPause. PlayPause is an exclusion tool, blocking betting from taking place for those who self-exclude (voluntary) and those who are impermissible (involuntary) due to their company policies or state regulations prohibiting their participation. Examples of impermissible bettors include coaches, players and referees from sports leagues as well as gaming company and state regulator employees.

“I’m eager to help Conscious Gaming think about how to build new technology-based solutions for mitigating gambling-related problems,” said Dr. LaPlante. “At the Division on Addiction, I work to alleviate addiction-related burdens through my research and other activities. I look forward to applying evidence-based insights to Conscious Gaming’s development efforts.”

PlayPause has started rolling out, with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board becoming the first state regulator to deploy the technology. When a consumer elects to self-exclude in Pennsylvania, they visit the PGCB website and register online. As part of the process, consumers have the option to opt-in to PlayPause, extending their exclusion outside their state borders. Ultimately the goal is to get all state regulators, gaming operators and sports leagues to adopt PlayPause, so for the first-time, a multi-state, information-sharing repository can be established nationwide, extending an individual’s protection wherever they are.

“I’m pleased to join Conscious Gaming in their mission to strengthen responsible gambling programs,” said Dr. Philander. “We know that self-exclusion programs have helped thousands of people regain control of their gambling problems, and PlayPause will transform the reach and effectiveness of these programs. As the gaming industry continues to grow and change, responsible gambling programs need to evolve too.”

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Advisory Board Biographies:

Brett Abarbanel, PhD

Brett Abarbanel is director of research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute, with an affiliate position at the University of Sydney. She has expertise in global gambling and social science applications, and her research covers Internet gambling policy and behavior, esports and gambling, operations and technology, and responsible gambling and community relations. Dr. Abarbanel is the co-executive editor of the UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, editorial board member at International Gambling Studies and Harvard’s Division on Addiction’s Brief Addiction Science Information Source, and recently completed a term on the International Advisory Panel for Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling. She has been interviewed as a gambling expert for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Discovery Channel and served as a consultant for multiple industry and government entities. She is a founding director of the Nevada Esports Alliance, which promotes development of best practices at the intersection of the esports and regulated gambling industries. Dr. Abarbanel was honored by The Innovation Group with their 2015 Emerging Leader Award, and was named to the 2016 Global Gaming Business 40 Under 40 list. She completed her B.S. in Statistics and B.A. in Architectural Studies at Brown University, where she received the Hartshorn Hypatia Award for excellence in mathematics. She completed her M.S. and Ph.D. at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she received the Best Thesis and Best Dissertation awards for her work on sportsbook patronage and online gambling user experiences, respectively.

Debi A. LaPlante, PhD

Dr. Debi LaPlante is director of the Division on Addiction at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She joined the Division in 2001 and is involved with its diverse research, education, training, and outreach activities. With her colleagues, she developed the Syndrome Model of Addiction, and co-edited the two volume APA Addiction Syndrome Handbook. She has authored dozens of book chapters, journal articles, and reports. Dr. LaPlante authored the Harvard Health Publishing ebook Responsible Drinking for Women. Dr. LaPlante’s current research involves assessments of public health treatment and intervention systems, studies of actual gambling and daily fantasy sports behavior, and tribal participatory research to develop a culturally grounded, mental health first-response training program, xaʔtu̓s (Salish for First Face) for Mental Health. In addition to these activities, Dr. LaPlante is a member of the editorial team for the Division’s The Brief Addiction Science Information Source. She also has been a course director for online and live continuing education courses for addiction, and for gambling-related problems specifically. She is a regular reviewer for research grants and academic journal submissions. Dr. LaPlante spearheaded the Division’s Cambridge Health Alliance Readiness for Gambling Expansion initiative, which features Gambling Disorder Screening Day on the second Tuesday of March annually.  Dr. LaPlante has a PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University.

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Kahlil Philander, PhD

Dr. Kahlil Philander is an Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management. He also holds an appointment as an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. His research interests are in the socio-economics of gambling. Previously, he was the Director of Social Responsibility at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation where he oversaw the GameSense program. Dr. Philander also spent time as an Assistant Professor and Director of Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ International Gaming Institute. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an MA in economics from the University of Toronto, and a BCom with Honors in finance from the University of British Columbia.

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AGLC

AGLC Announces New Board Chair

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Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has announced the appointment of Larry Spagnolo as the new Board Chair, effective August 15, 2025. This announcement follows the official Order in Council issued by the Alberta Government and marks a new chapter in AGLC’s ongoing commitment to support communities, encourage responsible choices and position Alberta as the best place to do business.

Larry brings a wealth of experience in technology and business leadership to the AGLC Board and will play an integral role in guiding AGLC’s strategic direction. He is currently serving as VP and GM of Emerson’s SaaS SCADA business and has held senior roles at Zedi and Telus, driving innovation, growth, and global success.

A strong advocate for education and community, Larry serves as Vice Chair of Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and has held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community contributions.

AGLC and the Board of Directors extend their heartfelt thanks to Len Rhodes for his leadership and dedication as Board Chair since August 2019. He decided not to seek a third term and will continue to serve in this role until August 14, 2025. Len led AGLC through some significant milestones, including reducing red tape by 51%, growth of the emerging cannabis industry and ensuring AGLC delivered a balanced approach to business development, social responsibility, and regulatory oversight.

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Bonus Guardian

Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut

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EveryMatrix has expanded its partnership with tier-1 operator Pinnacle powering its new casino in Ontario, Canada, using CasinoEngine platform technology – the first time its platform solution has gone live in North America. 

The latest agreement builds on the two companies’ previous collaboration that saw EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine productivity platform power the well-known brand’s global casino offering.

The new launch takes the relationship to North America, marking EveryMatrix’s debut CasinoEngine platform integration in that market.

BonusEngine, EveryMatrix’s cross-vertical bonusing tool will be integrated in the second phase of launch. This will equip Pinnacle Ontario with a host of bonus types as well as AI-powered bonus abuse solution Bonus Guardian.

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BonusEngine is the first of multiple engagement tools from EveryMatrix’s EngageSuite that Pinnacle plans to integrate.

With this comprehensive toolkit at its disposal, and the opportunity to add even more casino products in the future, Pinnacle Ontario can tailor campaigns, segment audiences, and reward players more effectively, creating a world-class digital entertainment experience for its customers.

EveryMatrix has more than 300 global customers and holds North American licences in Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Stian Enger Petersen, CEO, Casino, EveryMatrix, said: “This launch marks a key milestone for EveryMatrix as we bring our market-leading CasinoEngine platform to Canada for the first time.

“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Pinnacle and support their ambitions in Ontario with a powerful combination of platform, content, and engagement tools that are proven to drive success.”

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AGCO

Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release

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As CEO of Prime Skill Games Inc., I feel compelled to address recent comments made by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regarding so-called unapproved gambling machines in convenience stores across the province.

Let me be perfectly clear

Our machines are not gambling devices. They are entirely skill-based, fully compliant with the law, and built on the fundamental idea that players are in control. The outcome of every session is determined solely by the player’s ability, not by random chance.

Prime Skill Games is proud to be the only true skill game operating in Ontario today.

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We categorically reject any suggestion that our products fall under the definition of unregulated gambling. Such statements are inaccurate, misleading, and fail to recognize the critical distinction between games of skill and games of chance.

We stand firmly behind the legality of our machines and the integrity of our operations. We will demonstrate this through every available means, whether through legal documentation, expert analysis, or, if necessary, before the courts. We are prepared and unafraid to defend the truth.

To our players, partners, and business community, we want to reassure you that our mission has not changed. We are committed to offering a responsible, transparent, and innovative entertainment experience. We will not be intimidated by broad and baseless accusations, and we will continue to move forward with strength and clarity.

 

Sincerely

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Matt Zamroźniak

Chief Executive Officer

Prime Skill Games Inc.

The post Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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