The rising demand for online gaming in Canada has intensified competition. It has prompted leading brands to invest in next-generation technologies like blockchain and VR to stand out in the market.
This year’s Canadian Gaming Summit will address major changes within the industry. It will also focus on ways online gambling platforms can maximize loyalty, fan engagement, and commercial success.
The Summit will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from June 18 to 20. Here are some of the insights to watch out for as a casino investor, player, or digital marketer.
Player Protection Techniques and Strategies
Player Protection will be the first item on the agenda this year. The topic became a major concern last year after the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issued a $150,000 fine to a popular online casino.
More than five speakers will take the stage to provide tips on how casinos can improve player protection. Martin Lycka, Entain’s VP of American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling will address protection techniques for VIP customers.
He will also talk about how player protection measures can affect gambling legislation around the world. Many gambling sites in Canada offer exclusion programs, deposit limits, and other tools to help players stay in control of their gaming
While these tools can be effective, not every casino has them. This is one of the many concerns for AGCO, which fined Points Bet in November for failing to help a customer with clear problem gambling signs.
Innovations in Sports Betting
Sports betting is growing rapidly in Canada. A group of speakers at the Gaming Summit will address some of these innovations. Josh Turk of the Low6, will moderate the forum.
The Score’s Adam Landeka and Dale Fallon of Pointsbet will speak on new technologies in live betting. They will also profile the demographics most interested in live betting. Additionally, they will outline ways their companies plan to integrate sports streaming within betting apps.
Lately, many sportsbooks in Canada have introduced live streaming within their apps. They allow you to watch popular hockey, basketball, and football games free of charge.
Betting sites offer live streaming to increase engagement with customers. If you manage a sportsbook, the Gaming Summit can help you understand the technology and compliance requirements involved in the process.
Advertising Concerns within Online Gaming
Online gambling is highly regulated when it comes to advertising requirements. Not so long ago (2023), critics were calling for a total ban on gambling advertisements on TV.
Advertising regulation in gambling isn’t just limited to Canada. Online casinos and sportsbooks face a hard time when promoting their services around the world. Amanda Brewer, of the Canadian Gaming Association will address some of the ways iGaming companies can advertise legally.
Affiliate marketing will be one of the major points of discussion on this day—20 June. Speakers will focus on issues that affect casinos and marketers. They will also highlight some of the innovations in this area.
Gibran Khan of FanDuel will talk about how brands can maximize loyalty with a particular focus on Gaming and AI techniques. Artificial Intelligence has created a brand that can’t be understated in the past few years.
Attendants at the Canadian Gaming Commission will seek to understand how they can leverage AI in marketing. Brooke Hilton of Pointsbet Canada will address the community on ways they can increase engagement with younger players, especially millennials and Gen-Z.
Major Innovations in Ontario’s Gaming Industry
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will feature at this year’s Gaming Summit to talk to address its role in supporting iGaming innovations. It will also address any concerns operators have, especially issues related to regulation and player safety.
AGCO aside, Duncan Hannay of OLG and Martha Otton of iGaming Ontario will hold talks regarding innovations in the iGaming sector. Canadian casinos and sportsbooks have been at the forefront of embracing innovations.
Nearly every online casino in the country supports mobile gaming. What's more, operators have embraced crypto payments, AI chatbots, and Virtual Reality. Gambling sites are willing to integrate tech features that can help enhance engagement and increase profitability.
Digitizing Traditional Gambling Verticals
Although online gambling has been legal in Canada for many years, not every vertical has exploited the digital vertical accordingly. Take lotteries as an example. Many provinces run lotto competitions through retail shops. Yet, most other countries provide lotto games online.
In Canada, horseracing and bingo also need more digitization. Yes, you can bet on horse racing online and you can play bingo at some casinos. However, the biggest bingo market prefers to gamble in halls.
Jenny Lu of Pixiu Gaming will hold a panel addressing how casinos can promote bingo and lotteries online. While these two verticals are not as popular as slots, they have loyal audiences in Canada. Operators need to visualize ways they can digitize traditionally offline gambling products.
If you like lotteries and bingo, also listen to the afternoon panel focused on charitable gaming. Led by Lynn Cassidy of the Charitable Gaming Association of Ontario the panel will outline the benefits and risks of charitable gaming.
Many operators of charitable gaming events prefer bingo and lottery campaigns. These two products are generally accepted by non-gamblers. As such, they usually work great when helping promote different causes within the country.
Banking and Gambling Integrity
On the third day of the Canadian Gaming Summit, talks will address banking, customer verification, and Alberta. The Fintech sector is evolving quickly. A casino’s banking methods can greatly impact its commercial success.
Players love operators with a wide range of payment options. Some people only use specific payment options, say Visa or Apple Pay. If their preferred payment method is absent, the players look for a better operator.
Sereena Boparai of Paramount Commerce will share the benefits of adopting fast payment options. She will also talk about how smooth banking can influence an operator’s profitability.
After AGCO fined the Fallsview Casino $80,000 in February for a money-laundering case, KYC verification will be an area of focus this June. Speakers will outline the most effective way to verify customers without leading to inconvenience or a loss of business.
