Canada

Brett Abarbanel Named Executive Director of UNLV International Gaming Institute

Published

4 years ago

January 6, 2023

Brett Abarbanel has been named executive director for the UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI). IGI is a nonprofit academic center that offers research and educational programs for the global gaming industry.

The appointment, effective Jan. 1, 2023, marks the latest chapter in an award-winning catalog of research, advisory, and leadership work for Abarbanel, who has worked at IGI since 2016 as the director of research. Abarbanel’s expertise includes the intersection of gambling with esports, video games and traditional sports. She also has extensive experience in gaming operations and technology, responsible gambling and community relations, and gaming history. To date, she has presented her work in more than 20 countries and dozens of U.S. states.

Abarbanel succeeds Bo Bernhard, who will transition to serve full-time as UNLV vice president of economic development but maintain his affiliation with IGI as special advisor to the executive director.

“It is an honor to step into the role of executive director at International Gaming Institute, a world-renowned research, education, and innovation hub for the study of gambling with a brilliant staff,” Abarbanel said.

“As the gaming world continues to evolve and expand,” she said, “I am eager to collaborate with our many stakeholders in higher education, government, non-profit, and industry and build on IGI’s established momentum to improve industry learning, create workforce pipelines, and diversify the scope of knowledge in this field.”

Abarbanel — who is also an associate professor with UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality and has an affiliate research position at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre — brings almost two decades of experience to the position.

She earned bachelor’s degrees in statistics and architectural studies at Brown University and completed her master’s and doctoral degrees at UNLV, where she also worked at IGI as a UNLV graduate student. Abarbanel received the Best Thesis and Best Dissertation awards for her work on sportsbook patronage and online gambling user experiences, respectively.

After completing her Ph.D., Abarbanel served as the head of social and recreational gambling research at the UCLA Gambling Studies Program before returning to UNLV in her current role.

Abarbanel is the executive editor of the UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, an editorial board member at International Gambling Studies, and Harvard University’s Brief Addiction Science Information Source. She is a founding director of the Nevada Esports Alliance, which promotes the development of best practices at the intersection of the esports and regulated gambling industries. In 2021, she was among seven industry expert professionals named to the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s first-ever Esports Technical Advisory Committee, which is responsible for making recommendations to the board on guidelines for maintaining integrity in esports when betting is involved.

The Innovation Group honored Abarbanel with the 2015 Emerging Leader Award and she was named to the 2016 Global Gaming Business 40 Under 40 list. She has been interviewed as a gambling expert in local, national, and international media outlets, and served as a consultant for multiple industry, non-profit, and government entities.

IGI is part of UNLV’s Division of Research. For more than 25 years, IGI has provided research-based solutions, insights, and executive education to the gaming industry. IGI houses several entities and initiatives focused on key needs in the global gambling world, including responsible gaming initiatives, the Center for Gaming Innovation, the International Center for Gaming Regulation, and the Expanding the Leaderverse initiative.

“The Division of Research is looking forward to working with Brett Abarbanel and thanks Bo Bernhard for his tremendous leadership at IGI and his continued service to the institute and to UNLV,” said David Hatchett, UNLV interim vice president for research. “I am confident in Brett’s leadership of this very important program. I am also looking forward to having her join our executive leadership and the perspective she brings to the team.”

Canada

Altenar Joins Alberta’s New Regulated iGaming Market

Published

3 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

altenar-joins-alberta’s-new-regulated-igaming-market

Today marks the official launch of Alberta’s regulated online gaming market, a significant milestone for the Canadian iGaming industry and an important step in Altenar’s continued expansion across North America.

Having secured approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), Altenar is fully prepared to support licensed operators entering Canada’s newest regulated jurisdiction with its award-winning sportsbook technology.

The opening of Alberta’s market establishes Canada’s second regulated online gaming province after Ontario, creating fresh opportunities for operators seeking sustainable growth within a regulated framework.

With a strong track record across regulated markets worldwide, Altenar is well positioned to help partners launch competitive sportsbook offerings that prioritize player engagement, operational flexibility and long-term success.

As competition intensifies from day one, operators will be focused on delivering high-quality betting experiences capable of attracting playersAltenar’s scalable sportsbook solution, extensive customization capabilities and regulatory expertise provide operators with the tools needed to compete effectively in this evolving market.

Matthew Ferrara, Sales Manager at Altenar, said:

“The launch of Alberta’s regulated market is an important moment not only for the province but for the wider Canadian industry. Regulation creates opportunities for operators to build trusted brands while giving players access to safer, more transparent betting environments.

“We’re excited to support our partners as they enter this new market. Success in Alberta will depend on offering a premium player experience from the very beginning – fast, reliable technology, competitive betting content and the flexibility to adapt as the market evolves. Those are exactly the areas where Altenar delivers value, and we look forward to helping operators grow sustainably in one of North America’s most promising new jurisdictions.”

Alberta represents another important milestone in Altenar’s North American growth strategy as the company continues to expand its presence in regulated markets, providing operators with the technology and expertise needed to succeed in increasingly competitive environments.

The post Altenar Joins Alberta’s New Regulated iGaming Market appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

DraftKings Set to Launch its Online Sportsbook and Casino in Alberta

Published

5 hours ago

July 13, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

draftkings-set-to-launch-its-online-sportsbook-and-casino-in-alberta

DraftKings is set to launch its top-rated online sportsbook and casino, along with its Golden Nugget Online Gaming brand, in Alberta on July 13. Alberta will become the second Canadian province and the 34th jurisdiction across North America where DraftKings Sportsbook is available. With the launch, DraftKings Casino will be available in five U.S. states and Golden Nugget Online Gaming casino in four U.S. states, with both brands available in Alberta and Ontario in Canada.

“We’re thrilled to launch DraftKings Sportsbook and DraftKings Casino, as well as Golden Nugget Online Gaming in Alberta and continue expanding our presence in Canada. Alberta is home to a passionate sports fan base, and we’re excited to bring customers across the province our industry-leading sports betting and online casino experiences. Launching during one of the biggest moments in global sports, with the World Cup taking place across North America, makes this an especially exciting time to welcome Albertans to DraftKings,” said Greg Karamitis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sports at DraftKings.

To celebrate the launch in Alberta, DraftKings employees will volunteer with Food Banks Alberta and present a $150,000 donation to the organization. The funding will purchase over 40,000 pounds of essential food items to be distributed through Food Banks Alberta’s network of member food banks, ensuring resources reach communities both large and small throughout Alberta. This donation will help provide essential food support, including high demand items like fruits and vegetables and baby formula to individuals and families facing hunger, while strengthening local food banks’ ability to meet growing demand.

Eligible customers in Alberta will have access to DraftKings’ comprehensive suite of sports betting and online casino offerings. From same-game parlays, live in-game wagering, and special odds boosts on DraftKings Sportsbook to thousands of casino games, including fan-favorite titles like “Wheel of Fortune – Triple Extreme Spin,” exclusive slot titles, as well as progressive jackpots across Golden Nugget Online Gaming and DraftKings Casino, DraftKings delivers one of the industry’s most robust and engaging entertainment experiences.

DraftKings leads the industry in responsible engagement by promoting customer awareness and use of budget and control tools and resources like deposit limits, cool off periods, and self-exclusion to help customers have a fun source of entertainment with a brand they can trust.

The post DraftKings Set to Launch its Online Sportsbook and Casino in Alberta appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

High 5 Games Expands Across Alberta’s Open iGaming Market Following AGLC Supplier Approval

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

high-5-games-expands-across-alberta’s-open-igaming-market-following-aglc-supplier-approval

High 5 Games, the creator of premium casino content for the land based, online and social gaming markets announced it has secured supplier approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), extending its games beyond Play Alberta to all licensed operators in the province’s newly opened commercial iGaming market.

High 5 Games has entertained Alberta players since 2024 through Play Alberta, the province’s government operated gaming platform, where titles such as DaVinci DeluxeWays, Billionaire’s Bank, Green Machine and more have become established player favourites. With Alberta’s commercial market now open, that same proven portfolio is available to all licensed operators entering the province.

Alberta’s commercial iGaming market will be opening on July 13, 2026, making it the second Canadian province after Ontario to welcome private sector operators. Overseen by AGLC and the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), the market launched with nearly 50 registered operator brands, one of the most anticipated regulated market openings in North America this year.

The approval extends High 5 Games’ regulated North American footprint, which includes New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia. Alberta players will gain access to High 5’s catalogue of player favourite titles, including DaVinci DeluxeWays, Billionaire’s Bank, Green Machine and other titles through launch partnerships with operators.

“Alberta players already know and love our games through Play Alberta, that is a head start no newcomer to this market can claim. With the open market live, every operator in the province can now offer their players the award winning High 5 titles they have been playing for years, from day one.” says Tony Singer, CEO at High 5 Games.

High 5 Games’ content is certified across New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Ontario, British Columbia and the studio has developed more than 300 games over three decades of game making.

The post High 5 Games Expands Across Alberta’s Open iGaming Market Following AGLC Supplier Approval appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.