Canada
Insider Knowledge at Canadian Gaming Summit: ‘Leaders’ Track Showcases Top Operators and Regulators
Apart from a vibrant exhibition showcasing various products and services and numerous networking opportunities, the Canadian Gaming Summit, the country’s premier gaming and betting event, will host a conference with an unrivaled line-up of first-rate speakers hand-picked by event organizer SBC.
The ‘Leaders’ conference track, which will take place on June 14 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, is an undisputed highlight of the event’s 26th edition, as it spotlights the most influential decision-makers, thought leaders and innovators in the Canadian gaming industry.
Attendees will gain unparalleled insights from Canada’s most successful operators, including representatives from PointsBet, BetMGM, Kindred and FanDuel. Furthermore, event visitors will have the opportunity to hear directly from regulators and exchange ideas with their peers in the gaming industry.
The opening panel of the ‘Leaders’ conference track will delve into Canada’s potential to become an international hub for iGaming innovation. Esteemed industry executives Scott Vanderwel (CEO, PointsBet Canada), Amanda Brewer (Country Manager Canada, Kindred), Dale Hooper (General Manager Canada, FanDuel) and Scott Woodgate (VP Canada, BetMGM) will explore how Canada can leverage its status as a well-established tech hub and center for global investments to emerge as a worldwide center for iGaming innovation.
Drawing upon their experiences as established operators who were among the first to obtain legal operator titles in the Canadian market, the panelists will compare Canada’s situation with that of US states and discuss how local operators can compete with larger organizations for market share. In addition, the speakers will discuss the prospects of regulatory collaboration across jurisdictions and examine the potential of other provinces outside Ontario to chart a course.
The second panel is dedicated to regulators, who will reflect on the key takeaways from the opening of the province of Ontario and explore how these lessons can be applied to other provinces and Canadian territories. The panel will feature Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) that was established to regulate the new market, and Tom Mungham, Chief Executive Officer of the AGCO.
The panelists will examine how various provinces across Canada can collaborate and align on best practices and expansion tactics. They will also analyze the accuracy of the predictions that were made when the market opened in Ontario. With their first-hand experience in the regulation of the industry, the speakers will provide invaluable insights into how Canada’s gaming sector can continue to thrive in the years to come.
The closing keynote fireside chat will feature Ray Pineault (CEO, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment) and Ilkim Hincer (EVP & Chief Legal Officer, Hard Rock International). The experts will explore the convergence of iGaming, land-based gaming and provincial lotteries and elaborate on how the established land-based businesses and lotteries can capitalize on their knowledge by translating their core values to digital platforms. The speakers will also discuss the importance of partnerships with regulators and First Nations and the potential of simultaneously fulfilling the needs of various audience clusters through omnichannel experiences.
“There’s a lot to learn in Canada, especially since Ontario became the first province in Canada to regulate online gambling, legalizing what was previously a grey market,” Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said. “Ontario’s regulation of online gambling has set the stage for the Canadian gaming industry’s growth and has already provided valuable insights that could be applicable to other provinces and territories in Canada.
“There are no better candidates to educate the industry on the potential and the lessons learned than industry leaders representing some of the biggest players in the region and the regulatory bodies who hold registered operators to high standards of responsible gambling, player protection and game integrity. We’re excited to host some industry titans who will share their insights with the audience.”
There will be three conference stages running simultaneously at the Canadian Gaming Summit. The first stage will host the following tracks: ‘Leaders’ and ‘Land-based’ on June 14 and ‘Growth and Leadership’ on June 15. The second stage will host the ‘Sports Betting’ track on June 14 and the ‘Affiliates and Advertising’ track on June 15 while the third stage will focus on ‘iGaming’ on June 14 and ‘Payments & Compliance’ on June 15.
Visit the Canadian Gaming Summit website to access the conference agenda and purchase your tickets at the Early Bird discount of CA$795, a CA$200 saving from the regular full event ticket price. The Early bird deal expires on April 14, 2023. Operators and affiliates with an interest in the Canadian gambling market can register for free. To qualify, operators must fill in this form while affiliates need to fill in their information at the following link.
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AGCO
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor.
On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.
In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.
As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.
Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.
A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.
The post AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (hereinafter “IGT”), signed an eight-year agreement with Atlantic Lottery to supply its IntelligenEVO video lottery central system technology across Atlantic Canada. The agreement includes the option for multiple extensions and positions the Atlantic Lottery to become the first World Lottery Association (WLA)-affiliated lottery operator to deploy IGT’s next-generation central management system in a game-to-system (G2S) distributed market.
“By leveraging IGT’s IntelligenEVO technology, Atlantic Lottery will power its video lottery network with the industry’s best-in-class central system and position itself to maximize future contributions to good causes. As an organization that prioritizes system security and exceptional player experiences, Atlantic Lottery believes that IGT’s IntelliegnEVO solution will help generate high player satisfaction and optimal network performance,” said Michael MacKinnon, Atlantic Lottery VP, Product.
“As a long-time supplier to Atlantic Lottery, IGT looks forward to helping the Lottery achieve its growth and player engagement goals with our leading-edge IntelligenEVO video lottery central system. IGT’s IntelligenEVO is a scalable technology for the WLA market that is backed by decades of experience and operator feedback, and maximizes the benefits of real-time data, cloud-based technologies and in-depth analytics,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA and LATAM, Gaming Sales.
With peak system security, network availability and responsible gaming functionalities, IntelligenEVO is a reliable, scalable solution that can meet the needs of today and in the future. The solution will accelerate time-to-market and enables the Atlantic Lottery to benefit from the system’s suite of player-focused functionality. The technology’s G2S and open API design optimizes data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customize their program for evolving player needs.
The post IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
The post NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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