Recognizing the importance of fostering a truly pan-Canadian approach, the Canadian Gaming Summit embarked on a strategic approach to redefine the event’s scope and appeal by extending an invitation to crown corporations from all provinces, emphasizing that the event is not merely a regional Ontario affair but a national platform for collaboration and innovation in the gaming industry.

In this blog post, we aim to shed light on how crown corporations and their representatives will be integrated into the event. This involves their presence in the dedicated Crown Corporation Lounge, the enlightening opening keynote address delivered by CEOs of major provincial crown corporations, and speaker placements throughout the diverse conference agenda.

The Crown Corporations Lounge

Central to this effort is the introduction of a dedicated space called the ‘Crown Corporation Lounge’ on the exhibition floor, inspired by the collaborative atmosphere of the well-known (to our event attendees) SBC Leaders Lounge.

This designated area offers event attendees a unique chance to engage directly with representatives from crown corporations, such as the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC), Loto-Québec, Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MBLL).

This addition serves a dual purpose: to visibly integrate crown corporations into the event’s framework, facilitating connections between attendees eager to interact with these representatives, and to provide crown corporations with added value and incentives for their participation extending beyond panel discussions.

Where: Booth A05
Floor Plan

The Crown Corporations Keynote

The pan-Canadian focus of this edition of the Canadian Gaming Summit is also underscored by the chosen keynote theme and panelists. CEOs at the helm of provincial Crown Corporations will convene to deliver an opening keynote, aiming to chart a strategic trajectory that navigates the complexities of current challenges and future opportunities across various Canadian provinces.

The discussions will explore:

The nuanced dynamics within provinces
Shifting demographics and market maturation
Intricacies surrounding online gambling licensing and competitive dynamics
The challenge of harmonizing enforcement mechanisms across Canada’s diverse landscape

The represented crown corporations on the keynote panel include Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC), represented by CEO Kandice Machado, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), represented by President & CEO Pat Davis, Loto-Québec, represented by President & CEO Jean-François Bergeron, and Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), represented by President & CEO Patrick Daigle.

Details:

Keynote Title: The Crown Corps Speak: Competition, Enforcement, and Growth in Canadian Gaming
Date: Wednesday, June 19th, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM EDT
Moderator: Will Hill, Executive Director, Canadian Lottery Coalition

Other Conference Sessions with Crown Corps Representatives

Duncan Hannay, President & CEO of OLG, will deliver the opening remarks to inaugurate the conference on June 19th. He will provide insights into Ontario’s journey over the past two years since its foray into iGaming and online sports betting.

Dave Pridmore, Chief Gaming Officer at the OLG, will participate in a panel discussion focused on Charitable Gaming within Ontario. The revitalization of Charitable Bingo and Gaming in the region has been anchored on a distinctive partnership among key stakeholders. The panelists will delve into both the triumphs and hurdles encountered in forging such partnerships, and will explore how they collaboratively ensure the continued relevance of charitable gaming amidst an evolving gaming landscape.

OLG’s Director of Sustainability and Social Impact, Sandeep Persaud, will be featured on a panel discussing the evolving landscape of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles within the gaming industry. As the significance of ESG topics continues to rise among customers, employees, regulators, and stakeholders, it profoundly shapes various aspects of the industry. These include customer preferences, employment decisions, and regulatory frameworks. The panel will explore emerging trends in ESG, their integration with the gaming sector, alignment with business goals, and strategies for effectively communicating the industry’s ESG narrative.

Catherine Meade, Vice President at OLG, will join an ESG panel discussing responsible gambling alongside broader topics. The panel will explore how the iGaming industry is moving towards sustainable growth, looking at steps taken to promote responsible gambling among customers and staff. They’ll also discuss how environmental sustainability and diversity initiatives contribute to stakeholder well-being. Lastly, they’ll examine how changing views on ESG and responsible gambling have shaped the industry’s transformation.

Among other OLG speakers, Andrew Darley, Vice President of iCasino & iLottery at OLG, will speak at the “Next-Gen Gamification: Engaging Millennials and Gen Z” panel. Aaron Glyn-Williams (Director, Social Responsibility, OLG) will be featured on the “Ethical Engagement: Harmonizing Branding and Responsible Gaming Efforts” panel at the Player Protection Symposium on Tuesday, June 18th. Tyjondah Kerr (Director, Program Development and Delivery, OLG) will also speak at the Player Protection Symposium on the “Navigating Responsible Marketing: Ensuring Compliance and Promoting Safe Gambling Practices” panel.

Ryan McCarthy, Director of Player Health at BCLC, will join Tyjondah Kerr from OLG and Gavin Whiteley, Chief Marketing Officer at Great Canadian Entertainment, on the “Navigating Responsible Marketing: Ensuring Compliance and Promoting Safe Gambling Practices” panel at the Player Protection Symposium.

Also, at the Player Protection Symposium, Marie-Noelle Savoie, BCLC’s Chief Compliance Officer and VP of Legal, Compliance, & Security, will participate in the “Unified Visions, Diverse Paths: Responsible Gaming Initiatives Across Canadian Provinces” panel. She will discuss different provinces’ approaches to responsible gambling alongside Canadian Gaming Association President Paul Burns and Catherine Jarmaine, Director of Industry Programs and Monitoring for iGaming Ontario.

Stewart Groumoutis, Director of Digital Strategy at BCLC, will contribute to a panel discussion titled “Transforming the Land-based Brand: Omnichannel Tech and Innovation.” The discussion will focus on exploring how omnichannel technology can enhance land-based casinos compared to their digital-only counterparts. Panelists will delve into strategies for major brands to reinvent their marketing messaging to incorporate new customer experiences.

Natasha Questel, Chief Social Purpose Officer and VP Marketing at BCLC, will take part in a panel addressing “Creativity with Constraints: Advertising Sports Betting in the Wake of S-269 (National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act).” The panel aims to clarify the sometimes ambiguous regulations and provide guidance on leveraging hyper-personalization technology to attract new betting audiences while remaining compliant in an industry that traditionally relied on celebrity and pro sports influencers to engage fans.

Kevin deBruyckere, Director of AML & Investigation at BCLC, will discuss the imperative task of “Identifying and Combating Human Trafficking in Land-based Casinos” in Canada. The panelists will underscore the importance for casino operators to be vigilant in recognizing signs of human trafficking, ensuring the safety of their clientele, and fostering secure environments for players.

Steve Lautischer, EVP at AGLC, will join the panel titled “Wild West of iGaming: A New Gold Rush in Alberta?” to explore the burgeoning potential of Alberta’s gambling landscape. With one of the highest rates of gambling per capita in North America and a deeply penetrated gambling market, Alberta presents unique opportunities. The panelists will delve into the factors driving Alberta’s success, including its thriving lottery, robust casino marketplace, and the notable achievements of the provincially operated online platform, playalberta.ca.

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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.