The Canadian Gaming Summit, an event that is considered the premier gaming and betting event in the country, is hosting a conference with a top-notch line-up of speakers picked by the event organizer – SBC. The event, which will take place on June 14 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, will showcase various products and services and offer plenty of networking opportunities.
The ‘Leaders’ conference track is a standout highlight of the 26th edition of the event as it features influential decision-makers, thought leaders, and innovators in the Canadian gaming industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain unprecedented insights from successful operators such as PointsBet, BetMGM, Kindred, and FanDuel. Additionally, visitors can learn directly from regulators and exchange ideas with their peers in the industry.
During the opening panel, esteemed industry executives such as CEO of PointsBet Canada, Scott Vanderwel, Country Manager Canada of Kindred, Amanda Brewer, General Manager Canada of FanDuel, Dale Hooper, and VP Canada of BetMGM, Scott Woodgate, will discuss Canada’s potential to become an international hub for iGaming innovation. The members of the panel will also assess Canada’s circumstances in relation to those of American states and deliberate on strategies for small-scale operators to contend with bigger establishments in capturing a larger portion of the market. They will also discuss the prospects of regulatory collaboration across jurisdictions and examine the potential of other provinces outside Ontario to chart a course.
In the second panel, regulators will reflect on the key takeaways from the Ontario province opening and explore how these lessons can be applied to other Canadian territories. The panel will feature Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario, and Tom Mungham, Chief Executive Officer of AGCO. The panellists will explore ways in which different provinces throughout Canada can cooperate and synchronize their approaches to identify optimal methodologies and expansion strategies.
The closing keynote fireside chat will feature Ray Pineault, CEO of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, and Ilkim Hincer, EVP & Chief Legal Officer of 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 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 fulfilling the needs of various audience clusters through omnichannel experiences.
According to Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, “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 the industry in the Great White North. Industry leaders from the region’s biggest players and regulatory bodies responsible for holding registered operators to high standards of responsible gambling, player protection, and game integrity are the most suitable candidates to educate the industry on potential and lessons learned. We’re excited to host industry titans who will share their insights with the audience.”
Canada’s gaming sector holds great importance in the global economy, as the country’s role in the industry has made it a major player. While Canada has found success in various sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and real estate, the gaming industry has emerged as a lucrative avenue for growth. Canada’s highly skilled workforce and diverse creative scene make it an ideal destination for game developers and publishers.
The country’s gaming industry is currently valued at billions of dollars and is expected to grow. One contributing factor to this success is the Canadian government’s support for the industry through tax breaks and other incentives. Additionally, Canada’s high quality of life and labour laws have attracted talented workers, further bolstering the industry. And such conferences as the Canadian Gaming Summit are a great way to find new ways for industry development and make it even more profitable for the country.