Canada

CGS focuses on pillars of business with ‘Leadership & Growth’ conference track

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2023

The highly anticipated Canadian Gaming Summit is fast approaching, promising an exciting lineup of events. In addition to an innovative exhibition floor, insightful panels and expert speakers, industry delegates will have a valuable opportunity to delve into the essential pillars of prosperous business decision-making through the dedicated conference track called ‘Leadership & Growth’.

Taking place on the last day of the event (Thursday, 15th June) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the ‘Leadership & Growth’ conference track will provide delegates with a diverse collection of insightful discussions on topics such as Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority’s (SIGA) unique business model and how socially responsible gaming practices can be utilized to drive growth. Additionally, there will be a variety of exclusive roundtable discussions on regulatory and market developments, the intricacies of several Canadian provinces and the work of First Nations-led businesses and sports teams.

With a wealth of talent and ideas emerging in Canada, embodying strong leadership and innovative growth strategies, industry startups will get the opportunity to compete at the inaugural Canadian Gaming Summit ‘First Pitch’ competition, which shines a light on the best and brightest of the region.

Whittling the extensive list of applications down to just five, the finalists will present their product in front of a live audience and judging panel consisting of Benjie Cherniak (Principal, Avenue H Capital), Scott Secord, (Partner, Cardinal Sports Capital), Emily Mcllquham (Investment Analyst, Relay Ventures), Mohit Kansal (Managing Director, Clarivest) and Dani Lipkin (Managing Director Global Innovation, TMX Group)

The ‘Responsible gaming as a foundation for growth’ panel, will explore the importance of social responsibility in the Canadian gambling market. The industry-led panel will explore the benefits of incorporating social responsibilities and how player protection can drive growth through improved relationships with players and provincial regulators.

The panel will consist of Nav Sandhawalia (Chief Compliance & Risk Officer, Niagara Casinos), Aaron GlynWilliams (Director, Social Responsibility, OLG), Shelley White (CEO, Responsible Gaming Council), Dan Spencer (Director of Safer Gambling, EPIC Risk Management) and Jacob Coin (Executive Advisor to Chairman, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians), with Martin Lycka (SVP American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, Entain) moderating the panel.

Closing the conference agenda is the panel ‘Social responsibility & ESG: Championing from within’, which will highlight the necessity of meaningful ESG implementation as the gaming industry continues to grow. Canada is built upon its heterogeneous society and environmental values and therefore it is imperative for operators and regulators to encompass diversity, inclusion and sustainability to ensure survival and longevity.

The expert-led panel will consist of Paul Pellizzari (VP Global Social Responsibility, Hard Rock), Catherine Meade (VP Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, OLG), Chuck Keeling (Executive Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement, Community and Social Responsibility, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation) and Anna Eleazer (Head of Diversity & Inclusion, BetMGM), with Russell Mifsud (Director & Gaming Lead, KPMG) moderating the panel.

Across the event, attendees will have the opportunity to partake in a diverse selection of other conference tracks around Payment & Compliance, iGaming, Sports betting as well as exclusive industry roundtables.

Canada

XSOLLA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ATLANTIC CANADA’S GROWING GAME INDUSTRY WITH EXPANDED EVENT PRESENCE

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

xsolla-strengthens-commitment-to-atlantic-canada’s-growing-game-industry-with-expanded-event-presence

Global Video Game Commerce Company To Support Industry Growth Through Panels, Workshops, And Community Engagement Across Atlantic Canada

Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, today announced its participation in two major gaming industry events taking place across Atlantic Canada from June 3-5, 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting regional game development ecosystems and fostering industry collaboration.

Xsolla will participate in both Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic, joining developers, publishers, investors, and industry leaders for discussions centered on the future of game development, investment, and innovation in the local area.

At Game Invest East, held in partnership with Scaffold, Xsolla will contribute to conversations around funding, growth opportunities, and the evolving business landscape for game studios.

Featured on the panel titled “If You Can Make It Here,” Xsolla’s Manny Hachey, Senior Director of Developer Success, joins Kate Edwards, CEO and Principal Consultant of Geogrify, and Amir Satvat, Business Development Director at Tencent Games, founder of Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), and a 2026 GamesBeat Visionary Award honoree, to explore how new regions and new entrants can survive and thrive in disruptive times.

Hachey, a native of Atlantic Canada, was personally requested by Scaffold to represent Xsolla at the event — a homecoming that adds a personal dimension to the panel’s central thesis. Having built her career and made her mark in Germany’s games industry, she returns with a firsthand perspective on what it takes to leave, build something meaningful abroad, and come back with proof of concept.

Xsolla will continue its Atlantic Canada engagement at XP Game Connect Atlantic in Halifax on June 5. John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada at Xsolla, and Ted DiNola, Developer Evangelist at Xsolla, will host a workshop titled ‘Full Picture to Fast Lane: Xsolla Ecosystem Overview & Live SDK 3 Integration’, providing practical insights and actionable strategies for developers navigating today’s rapidly evolving gaming market.

Nguyen will also host a panel titled, ‘What Does the Future of Game Development Look Like in Atlantic Canada?’ where he will be joined by industry experts, including Ryan Filsinger from Iron Fox; Shawn Woods, CEO at Alpha Dog and VP of Interactive Society of Nova Scotia; George Greer, Founder of Besszong; and Jade Yhap, President of Interactive NB. The panel will explore the region’s growing role in the global games industry and the opportunities ahead for studios, talent, and ecosystem partners.

John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada, at Xsolla

“Atlantic Canada continues to emerge as an exciting hub for game development talent and innovation,” said John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada, at Xsolla. “Xsolla is proud to support these events and contribute to conversations that help empower developers, build ecosystems, strengthen industry connections, and accelerate growth across the region.”

Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla

“Events like Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic are critical for building stronger connections across the games industry,” said Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla. “Atlantic Canada has a growing community of talented developers, creators, and industry leaders, and we’re excited to be part of conversations that help to shape the future of gaming in the region while supporting studios at every stage of growth.”

Through its participation in these events, Xsolla aims to deepen relationships within the Atlantic Canadian game development community while supporting knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and long-term ecosystem growth.

For more information about Xsolla’s participation in these events across Atlantic Canada, visit: xsolla.pro/Atlantic-Canada

The post XSOLLA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ATLANTIC CANADA’S GROWING GAME INDUSTRY WITH EXPANDED EVENT PRESENCE appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Ben Scobie-Trumper Head of Sales at mkodo

GGPoker selects GeoLocs geolocation service for regulated Ontario market

Published

12 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

ggpoker-selects-geolocs-geolocation-service-for-regulated-ontario-market

mkodo’s GeoLocs will handle in-platform location checks for GGPoker players in Ontario, removing the need for a separate verification app.

GGPoker has selected GeoLocs by mkodo as its geolocation service provider for the operator’s regulated Ontario offering.

Under the partnership, GeoLocs will provide in-platform location verification for GGPoker players across Ontario, with the aim of supporting regulatory compliance without requiring an additional app download or separate approval process.

“Our priority is to ensure players have a seamless experience on GGPoker whilst staying fully compliant with regulations. We chose GeoLocs because of their proven expertise, industry and regulatory knowledge and the fact that players don’t need to verify location through a separate app or download.” – Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker.

“The partnership with GGPoker is very exciting. We’re proud to support a globally recognised operator in delivering a seamless, compliant player experience in Ontario. With Alberta opening in July, the partnership with GGPoker in Ontario further reinforces GeoLocs’ expansion across the Canadian gaming market.” – Ben Scobie-Trumper, Head of Sales at mkodo.

GeoLocs is a geolocation product built by mkodo for regulated markets, supporting web and mobile location checks for gaming, sports betting, poker and lottery operators, according to the company.

The post GGPoker selects GeoLocs geolocation service for regulated Ontario market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Business Development

Xsolla expands Atlantic Canada event push with Game Invest East and XP Game Connect

Published

12 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

xsolla-expands-atlantic-canada-event-push-with-game-invest-east-and-xp-game-connect

Xsolla will take part in two Atlantic Canada industry events—Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic—running June 3-5, 2026, as it increases its presence in the region’s game development ecosystem.

The company said it will join discussions with developers, publishers, investors, and other stakeholders focused on game development, investment, and innovation. At Game Invest East, held in partnership with Scaffold, Xsolla will participate in a panel titled “If You Can Make It Here.” Xsolla’s Manny Hachey, Senior Director of Developer Success, will appear alongside Kate Edwards, CEO and Principal Consultant of Geogrify, and Amir Satvat, Business Development Director at Tencent Games, founder of Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), and a 2026 GamesBeat Visionary Award honoree.

Xsolla’s Halifax stop comes on June 5 at XP Game Connect Atlantic. John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada at Xsolla, and Ted DiNola, Developer Evangelist at Xsolla, will host a workshop titled “Full Picture to Fast Lane: Xsolla Ecosystem Overview & Live SDK 3 Integration.”

Nguyen will also host a panel, “What Does the Future of Game Development Look Like in Atlantic Canada?”, joined by Ryan Filsinger from Iron Fox; Shawn Woods, CEO at Alpha Dog and VP of Interactive Society of Nova Scotia; George Greer, Founder of Besszong; and Jade Yhap, President of Interactive NB.

“Atlantic Canada continues to emerge as an exciting hub for game development talent and innovation,” said John Nguyen, Regional Vice President, Canada, at Xsolla. “Xsolla is proud to support these events and contribute to conversations that help empower developers, build ecosystems, strengthen industry connections, and accelerate growth across the region.”

The post Xsolla expands Atlantic Canada event push with Game Invest East and XP Game Connect appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.