Apart from a vibrant exhibition showcasing various products and services and numerous networking opportunities, the Canadian Gaming Summit, Canada’s premier gaming and betting event, will host a conference with an unrivalled line-up of first-rate speakers, handpicked by event organiser, SBC.
The ‘Leaders’ conference track, taking place on June 14th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, is an undisputed highlight of the event’s 26th edition, spotlighting 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, visitors will 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 centre for global investment to emerge as a worldwide centre for iGaming innovation.
Drawing on their experiences as established operators who were among the first to obtain legal operator titles in the market, the panellists will compare Canada’s situation with that of US states and discuss how local operators can compete with larger organisations for market share.
In addition, the speakers will discuss the prospects of regulatory collaboration across jurisdictions and examine the potential of other provinces beyond Ontario to chart a course.
The second panel is dedicated to regulators, who will reflect on the key takeaways from the opening 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, and Tom Mungham, CEO of the AGCO.
This panel will examine how provinces across Canada can collaborate and align on best practices and expansion tactics. It will also analyse 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 established land-based businesses and lotteries can capitalise 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.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, says: “There is a lot to learn in Canada, especially since Ontario became the first province to regulate online gambling, legalising what was previously a grey market.
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 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 are excited to host some industry titans who will share their insights with the audience.”
