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Insider Knowledge at Canadian Gaming Summit: ‘Leaders’ Track Showcases Top Operators and Regulators

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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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AGLC

AGLC Announces New Board Chair

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Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has announced the appointment of Larry Spagnolo as the new Board Chair, effective August 15, 2025. This announcement follows the official Order in Council issued by the Alberta Government and marks a new chapter in AGLC’s ongoing commitment to support communities, encourage responsible choices and position Alberta as the best place to do business.

Larry brings a wealth of experience in technology and business leadership to the AGLC Board and will play an integral role in guiding AGLC’s strategic direction. He is currently serving as VP and GM of Emerson’s SaaS SCADA business and has held senior roles at Zedi and Telus, driving innovation, growth, and global success.

A strong advocate for education and community, Larry serves as Vice Chair of Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and has held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community contributions.

AGLC and the Board of Directors extend their heartfelt thanks to Len Rhodes for his leadership and dedication as Board Chair since August 2019. He decided not to seek a third term and will continue to serve in this role until August 14, 2025. Len led AGLC through some significant milestones, including reducing red tape by 51%, growth of the emerging cannabis industry and ensuring AGLC delivered a balanced approach to business development, social responsibility, and regulatory oversight.

The post AGLC Announces New Board Chair appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut

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EveryMatrix has expanded its partnership with tier-1 operator Pinnacle powering its new casino in Ontario, Canada, using CasinoEngine platform technology – the first time its platform solution has gone live in North America. 

The latest agreement builds on the two companies’ previous collaboration that saw EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine productivity platform power the well-known brand’s global casino offering.

The new launch takes the relationship to North America, marking EveryMatrix’s debut CasinoEngine platform integration in that market.

BonusEngine, EveryMatrix’s cross-vertical bonusing tool will be integrated in the second phase of launch. This will equip Pinnacle Ontario with a host of bonus types as well as AI-powered bonus abuse solution Bonus Guardian.

BonusEngine is the first of multiple engagement tools from EveryMatrix’s EngageSuite that Pinnacle plans to integrate.

With this comprehensive toolkit at its disposal, and the opportunity to add even more casino products in the future, Pinnacle Ontario can tailor campaigns, segment audiences, and reward players more effectively, creating a world-class digital entertainment experience for its customers.

EveryMatrix has more than 300 global customers and holds North American licences in Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Stian Enger Petersen, CEO, Casino, EveryMatrix, said: “This launch marks a key milestone for EveryMatrix as we bring our market-leading CasinoEngine platform to Canada for the first time.

“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Pinnacle and support their ambitions in Ontario with a powerful combination of platform, content, and engagement tools that are proven to drive success.”

The post Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release

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As CEO of Prime Skill Games Inc., I feel compelled to address recent comments made by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regarding so-called unapproved gambling machines in convenience stores across the province.

Let me be perfectly clear

Our machines are not gambling devices. They are entirely skill-based, fully compliant with the law, and built on the fundamental idea that players are in control. The outcome of every session is determined solely by the player’s ability, not by random chance.

Prime Skill Games is proud to be the only true skill game operating in Ontario today.

We categorically reject any suggestion that our products fall under the definition of unregulated gambling. Such statements are inaccurate, misleading, and fail to recognize the critical distinction between games of skill and games of chance.

We stand firmly behind the legality of our machines and the integrity of our operations. We will demonstrate this through every available means, whether through legal documentation, expert analysis, or, if necessary, before the courts. We are prepared and unafraid to defend the truth.

To our players, partners, and business community, we want to reassure you that our mission has not changed. We are committed to offering a responsible, transparent, and innovative entertainment experience. We will not be intimidated by broad and baseless accusations, and we will continue to move forward with strength and clarity.

 

Sincerely

Matt Zamroźniak

Chief Executive Officer

Prime Skill Games Inc.

The post Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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