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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce buys stake in Flutter Entertainment

Flutter Entertainment has gained a new heavyweight shareholder after Canadian multinational bank, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), acquired a 5.3% stake in the operator group. 

The CIBC, the fifth largest bank by revenue in Canada, previously held no shares in the gambling group. 

However, following a regulatory notice on the London Stock Exchange on 26 May, the bank has now taken an $899m stake in the FanDuel owner.

It’s all change at Flutter Entertainment

Flutter Entertainment – which also owns the PokerStars brand, as well as the Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Betting and Gaming brands in the UK – has faced a rocky start to the year, with its share price falling by 61% in the last 12 months alone. 

This has then been compounded by a series of internal restructuring moves, which saw FanDuel CEO Amy Howe step down, FanDuel President Christian Genetski assume the role of CEO, and Dan Taylor, CEO of Flutter’s international arm, become President of Flutter Entertainment.

The restructuring was announced shortly before the company released its Q1 earnings report, which detailed that Flutter Entertainment had slightly lowered full-year guidance to $18.3bn, down from $18.4bn.

While the drop might seem minor, it could arguably be seen as a dip in confidence that the operator group can navigate the regulatory changes and market dynamics which it continues to face across multiple markets. 

Flutter’s internal struggles were also felt externally, as its rating was downgraded by Deutsche Bank, which cut its target price from £147 to £124 per share – a result of slower US growth and economic pressures within the UK market. 

Weeks prior, Citi also cut its price target for Flutter by more than half, going one step further by also downgrading the stock from buy to sell.

However, this new vote of confidence from the Canadian bank will likely come as a welcome boost for Flutter Entertainment. 

The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce becomes the latest in a long line of investors that have snapped up shares in the London-listed operator group. It joins recent investors including: 

At the time of writing, Flutter Entertainment’s share price stands at $97.38. While the operator group has experienced dips in its share price in the last few months, some are anticipating that this’ll soon rebound as the company enters a new era of leadership. 

A shift in attitude from banking institutions?

For a long time, major traditional banks have avoided making substantial investments within the gambling industry, likely due to continued regulatory volatility that continues to face the sector. 

However, news that CIBC has suddenly taken a considerable stake in the operator, combined with Bank of America’s 10.4% stake, marks a cultural, attitudinal shift in how the banking industry views gambling as an investment opportunity. 

Upon first assessment, it appears that institutional finance is now perhaps viewing global sports betting giants less as a volatile option, and more like indispensable tech and entertainment infrastructure.

Does this mean that Flutter will soon be viewed in the same way as acquiring stock in Apple or Disney? Maybe not. 

However, the new investment from the CIBC has opened up the door to other, perhaps more conservative, banks to start injecting liquidity into the wider gambling market.

Better Gambling Forum and SBC announce strategic partnership 

The Better Gambling Forum (BGF) and SBC Events & Media have signed a strategic partnership to advance a practical, scalable approach to player protection across North America and beyond.

The partnership will leverage SBC’s events and media platforms to drive engagement with BGF’s Responsible Gambling 3.0 framework, with a focus on translating policy and research into real-world implementation for operators, regulators, and health systems.

BGF Chair Shawn Fluharty commented: “The Better Gambling Forum focuses on turning evidence into action. Through our Responsible Gambling 3.0 framework and independent scientific oversight, we’re helping policymakers, regulators and operators move beyond good intentions towards solutions that genuinely reduce harm. 

“The next phase of our work is about scale and consistency – building practical, evidence-led standards that support a safer, more sustainable gambling ecosystem for players, industry and society alike. We’re excited to work with SBC to broaden our reach at their Americas Summit and beyond.”

As part of the collaboration, BGF and SBC will convene a flagship panel at SBC Summit Americas (June 9–11) examining how to build a modern public health response to problem gambling, while also promoting healthier engagement with the gambling industry.

The session will bring together leaders across public health, policy, industry, and digital platforms, including:

  • Patrick J. Kennedy, former U.S. Congressman; national leader on mental health and
    addiction;
  • Dr Nathan Carroll, National Medical Director at InSite Health; Member, American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Digital Health, Innovation, and Technology;
  • Toby Ewing, Stanford School of Medicine; Brain Capital Advisor; and former Executive Director, California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission;
  • Paul Pellizzari, Vice President – Global Social Responsibility, Hard Rock International; 
  • Dr Eraka Bath, Professor of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.  

The Summit session is the first in a series of discussions across SBC’s events and media channels – such as the Player Protection Hub – which aim to promote and internationalise the BGF’s agenda of building practical legislative and operational frameworks to promote a truly safe and sustainable gambling ecosystem. 

SBC Managing Director Andrew McCarron said: “We’ve made some great strides in recent years with the Player Protection Hub online, and Player Protection Symposiums in Lisbon, Florida and Toronto. We hope these channels can turbo-charge the BGF’s work and that SBC can play its part in bringing about real, positive and practical progress for an industry we all know is hugely innovative – let’s make sure it is also safe and sustainable for everyone.”

The panel – and future discussions – will explore practical pathways forward, including early policy, intervention models, integration with broader behavioural health systems, the role of digital platforms in shaping behaviour, and how the industry can align around consistent standards for player protection.

Importantly, the work of BGF is being overseen by an independent Scientific Oversight Committee, made up of eight academics with gambling expertise from around the globe. The goal of the committee is to ensure that the work of BGF is firmly grounded in evidence, ethics, and best practice.

The panel forms part of a strong programme of safer gambling content at SBC Summit Americas, with a dedicated Player Protection Symposium on the breakout stage featuring some of the most important and influential thought leaders from across North and South America.  

IPSOS: Ontario reaps channelization rewards as black market engagement falls in 2026

New research commissioned by iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Association of Ontario (AGCO) has revealed that only 8.9% of players are choosing to gamble solely on unregulated sites, almost half of what was reported last year. 

The study, carried out by IPSOS between March 30 and April 20, 2026, surveyed 2,012 Ontarians aged over 19 years old.

Last year, IPSOS reported that 16.3% of respondents had “gambled online in Ontario over the past three months reporting having wagered only on unregulated websites”. That number has since dropped, a decline that the AGCO noted “builds on previous IPSOS findings and signals continued progress in the province’s regulated igaming market”. 

“These results are clear – Ontario is an international leader in upholding a safe, competitive, and regulated online gaming market,” said Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario. 

“Only four years ago, our government took action to bring online gaming into a modern, regulated framework that protects players, supports greater choice for consumers, and tackles the illegal market.

“To date, we’re proud to see Ontario’s world-class online gaming model continue to support jobs, innovation, and economic activity across the province.”

IPSOS reported that the number of players opting for legal sites also increased during the reporting period, rising to 91.1% of those surveyed compared to 83.7% in 2025. 

Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, added: “This increase in Ontarians choosing regulated igaming sites proves that we’ve taken the right approach to responsibly expanding the online gaming market.” 

“By prioritizing player protections and embedding responsible gaming tools into the market, our government is committed to providing a safer experience for players across the province.

“Our government is proud to support a modern, regulated igaming market that puts player safety first. As more Ontarians move to regulated platforms, it’s clear that strong oversight, enhanced consumer protections, and responsible gaming measures are helping build greater trust and confidence in Ontario’s online gaming sector.”

Speaking at SBC Summit Canada earlier this week, Minister Cho highlighted the growing importance for the government to continue working closely with the iGaming industry to maintain a degree of competition, but to also limit the impact of red tape and friction that may otherwise encourage bettors to gamble via the unlicensed market.

During the event, he praised the growth and development of Ontario’s gaming sector, which is reported to be worth $2.6bn and continues to boost the province’s economy by driving tourism and creating jobs. 

Player protection key to driving channelization

Prior to the launch of Ontario’s iGaming market in April 2022, the Government of Ontario had estimated that 70% of online gambling was taking place on unregulated sites.

iGaming Ontario shared that since the market’s launch, it has placed significant focus on working alongside operators and government figures to build a competitive, regulated market that prioritizes player safety and choice.

This close collaboration, it said, has led to the market generating more than $4.2bn in gaming revenue from over $103bn in wagering activity in the four years since regulation. 

“These new results show growing confidence among Ontarians in the province’s regulated market, which offers mandatory player protections and safeguards across all regulated sites that the unregulated market does not,” said iGaming Ontario President and CEO, Joseph Hillier.

One of the big focal points for the market’s growth has been the prioritization of player protection measures from the get-go. 

This has been strengthened even further in the last week with the launch of BetGuard, a new centralized responsible gaming tool that aims to provide bettors across Ontario with the option to voluntarily self-exclude themselves from licensed sportsbooks and casinos. 

During a media roundtable at the time of the launch, Hillier shared that the new platform will take several steps to ensure individuals don’t access wagering platforms, including:

  • Blocking access to existing player accounts
  • Preventing individuals from creating new accounts
  • Blocking marketing communications from licensed gaming platforms in Ontario
  • Users can set self-exclusion terms of six months, one year, five years, or a custom term

With an enhanced roster of gambling harm prevention tools available to bettors, combined with a greater industry-wide focus on regulation, it’s likely that the number of players opting to gamble via licensed sites will continue to increase as time goes on. 

“It’s encouraging to see more and more Ontarians choosing regulated sites when they gamble online,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO.

“This continued shift reflects the strength of Ontario’s model and its focus on protecting players. The AGCO remains committed to addressing the residual illegal market and ensuring regulated operators meet Ontario’s strong regulatory standards.”

Oddin.gg secures early mover advantage in Alberta with iGaming Oddsmaker licence

Oddin.gg has become the latest company to be given the green light to enter the regulated Alberta iGaming market after it received confirmation of a conditional iGaming Oddsmaker licence.

Odds suppliers, including the likes of Oddin.gg, are required to undergo a multi-step compliance process before the Alberta market goes live. 

By registering for a licence, the provider will now be able to proceed through to the final due diligence process before soon being able to offer its end-to-end esports betting solutions to licensed operators across the province, which is due to launch its market on July 13.

Martin Lycka, Vice President of Institutional Affairs, celebrated the new licence as he highlighted the new opportunities for growth, adding that securing a licence prior to the market’s launch will give the supplier an early mover advantage. 

“Securing this registration early reflects how seriously we take our compliance obligations in every jurisdiction we operate in,” said Lycka. 

“Operators in Alberta are going to be under a microscope when this market opens, and they need suppliers who’ve already done the work. Getting registered this early lets us have real conversations with operators now, not after the launch deadline.”

Alberta has been the ‘market to watch’ for quite some time now. As it stands, more than 30 sportsbooks and online casinos are registered – or are in the process of registering – for a licence to enter the new market. 

For many across the industry, the province will be an additional opportunity to expand their Canadian presence, following the regulation of the Ontario market back in April 2022.  Oddin.gg entered the Ontario market in October 2022, and now its sights are firmly fixed on growth across Alberta.

Todd McCully, Head of Sales at Oddin.gg, has pinpointed these opportunities in Alberta, emphasising that there is certainly a strong commercial case for early entry.

“Alberta watched Ontario for three years before writing its rules, and you can see it in the framework. It’s something operators can plan against,” McCully said. 

“Add the youngest adult population in Canada, high incomes, and a real appetite for betting, and operators who show up early with the right content are looking at a serious revenue opportunity.”

Rice: focus on First Nations can ensure rapid industry growth 

TORONTO — There is a significant growth of First Nation ownership in gaming across Canada, which Chief Paul Rice, Council Chief, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, emphasises will benefit the industry as a whole. 

Speaking at the SBC Summit Canada, Rice expressed his belief that a surge in partnerships “won’t dilute the importance of sovereignty and the inherent right to gaming.” 

This level of collaboration will benefit the progression of the industry tremendously, according to Rice, as he laid out the roadmap for the future of the sector. 

“I’m a free market guy, and I’m a sovereignty guy. If you want to see an explosion in gaming, it needs to be led by First Nations,” Rice told the audience.

First Nation operation and ownership

For the gaming sector to have the most beneficial impact on the Canadian economy, the data and the tech should be owned by First Nations, emphasised Rice. 

He predicted that if the industry and regulators enhance, promote, and support First Nation sovereignty in gaming moving forward immediately, then the next decade will see an explosion in gaming. 

Michael Peters, Chief Executive Officer, Glooscap Ventures, detailed that this explosion is very much already being seen across the West of Canada. 

He predicted that this is only going to increase upon the opening of “more opportunities across the west, and hopefully someday move towards the east as well. In a few years, you’re going to see a lot of involvement and a lot of benefits going back to our communities.”

Finding the right partners key

Peters also highlighted that partnerships have been “very important” for their growth and evolution. 

“We are aligned in what we do. It makes us stronger when we’re together and we’re united in trying to diversify our economic development, our resources to make ourselves more independent at home, and one of those ways is becoming financially independent from the government,” Peters said.

Michael Tobin, Founder & CEO, Continent8, stated his belief that diversification should be a crucial focus for all stakeholders in the space as he emphasised that “sovereignty goes far beyond data, it is about people and cultures.”

Safety first for players

Balancing player safety and the economic opportunity is extremely important for the First Nations, underpinned Rice.

He emphasised that they have the data available and the systems in place to ensure player safety. The approach to player safety has a real human element, as they retain pride in keeping percentages low. 

Rice also praised the significant economic impact that accompanies the industry and the way they reinvest money back into their tight-knit community. 

He stated: “We reinvest that, not just in the infrastructure, but there are a lot of cars on those highways. We need services for our members, so if there’s, if there’s a multi-car accident on that highway, every peacekeeper, every first responder, the fire brigade is on notice, they’re all focusing on that, right, and those cars are there, no matter what. 

“They have to, they’re traveling between Montreal and the fastest growing demographic in Canada, which is the South Shore of Montreal. So we take the gaming money, and we train and hire more peacekeepers. 

“We take the gaming money, we get more ambulances and more first responders.” 

Minister Stan Cho: rallying against red tape as Ontario enters ‘uncharted waters’ 

Energetic and charismatic as ever, Stan Cho, Minister for Tourism, Culture & Gaming, Ontario was pulling no punches when he took aim at red tape and needless processes to regulate iGaming, as he expressed that the ‘eyes of the world are on the province’. 

Cho reflected on the main ambition that fell on his desk when it came to regulation of gambling, and that was to continue momentum – something that he underpinned was only going to be fuelled by collaboration and breaking down political silos. 

“You don’t keep the momentum going by a bunch of politicians making independent decisions,” stated Cho. 

“You listen to experts in the industry, and you look to the world at what’s going on, identify trends and patterns, and make sure that you move responsibly. So together, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We are moving this industry forward with operators, innovators, and partners in a responsible and thoughtful manner, while remaining as competitive as we can be.” 

As the industry moves forward, he underpinned that all stakeholders are being embraced into the discussions, aiming for a responsible and thoughtful approach. 

He also praised the Ontario gaming sector, which is worth $2.6bn and continues to boost the province’s economy, in driving tourism and creating jobs. 

Looking back on the growth of the industry, he said: “What started in the 90s is a handful of casinos that evolved into a network of world-class destinations. It’s an example of success that only happens when the government works with its industry partners. 

“More than 50 years after Ontario launched Windtario, lottery gaming remains a proud part of our communities, and Ontario’s online gaming sector, of course, continues to evolve very rapidly. 

“Since regulation, we’ve created one of the most successful markets in the world, and our model supports innovation and competition while prioritizing player protection. Today, 91% of online players choose regular, sorry, regulated sites. That’s up from 83% last year. That’s

1.2 million active players choosing to participate in the safer gambling environment. That means more gaming activity in Ontario, more jobs, revenue, and more investments.” 

It is clear that player safeguards have been taken on as a significant focus for Ontario as it is built its regulatory framework. 

Cho praised the strict standards around age verification, advertising rules, and voluntary self-exclusion programs, revealing they invest nearly $70 million annually in prevention, treatment, and support services. 

As the industry continues to develop and evolve at a rapid rate, Cho underpinned the vital importance of striking a balance in player protection and choice. 

He added that when he ‘announced the review of the gaming sector to reduce red tape, he heard very loudly from the industry and has since been working tirelessly with operators, agencies, and stakeholders’. 

“We found nearly 6000 requirements across all agencies, and what we heard is very clear: requirements are unnecessarily duplicated, layered, and more complex than they need to be. Compliance, record keeping, and operational control requirements make up two thirds of the requirements landscape,” he continued.

“Complexity is made worse with multiple agencies involved when you need approval from two different bodies just to smooth a single slot machine, that’s a problem. Here’s how we’re going to fix it. We’ve identified six areas where we can reduce red tape and streamline processes: responsible gaming, AML, financial oversight, data management, audits, and communications, and our goal is simple. 

“We want to keep Ontario competitive while maintaining the highest standards for integrity and player protection.”

He concluded by stating that Ontario is in ‘uncharted waters’ and the world is watching the province’s next steps, a statement proven true by discussions from Albertan regulators which have used the blueprint set by the Ontario iGaming sector. 

Furthermore, the energy for policymakers for the iGaming sector continues at a crucial time, with the opportunity to bolster momentum significantly elevated by the host nation’s World Cup that edges ever closer. 

Whilst challenges remain as do with any market, the willingness of policymakers to continue collaboration with the industry will be to the envy of many more mature markets where conversations have broken down across the globe. 

Is Quebec the next stop for iGaming in Canada? 

Canadian iGaming warned it is losing its social license when it comes to advertising

Patrick Harris, President of Rubicon Strategy, issued a stark warning to the gambling industry in Canada that it is losing its social license when it comes to advertising. 

“I’ve been screaming this from the rooftops for a while now, the industry needs to come up with some tangible solutions to deal with the proliferation of advertising; if not, the government is going to intervene”, stated Harris as he issued a rallying cry to the industry to step up during a panel session at SBC Summit Canada. 

Ariane Gauthier, Spokesperson for the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition, elevated this warning as she revealed that one of the key reasons cited in Quebec for the lack of willingness to embrace iGaming was the levels of advertising seen in the Ontario market since its opening. 

Nonetheless, she stated that the ability to advertise is a key tool of the regulated industry and shouldn’t be too significantly handicapped as regulated operators compete against the unlicensed sector. 

Offering advice to the Quebec market, Harris stated that it is hugely beneficial that Ontario and Alberta have set their regulatory goals up for opening, which have helped guide the framework in a direction that is effective. 

It comes as Gauthier expressed significant optimism that Quebec could progress with iGaming in the coming years. 

Gauthier lamented the absence of political leadership in Quebec in recent times, but was buoyed by an upcoming election and probable leadership change on the horizon, which she hopes will bring a shift in the approach to iGaming. 

Right now, according to Gauthier, Quebec is ‘facing a Minister of Finance who is personally opposed to regulating iGaming. He personally believes that eye gaming should be hidden, controlled by a monopoly, and essentially invisible.’

But Harris emphasised that it is political leadership that drives the shift towards iGaming, underpinning the pivotal crossroads that Quebec is facing as an election approaches. 

She continued: “I think one of the lessons learned from Ontario and Alberta is around the importance of the collaboration between the industry and the government public policymakers”, warning that this is not necessarily natural in Quebec. 

Mirroring the approach of the other Canadian markets is not necessarily the most beneficial path for potential new markets in Canada, though. 

Gauthier emphasised: “I think Alberta’s example shows us that we can gain the inspiration for the mechanism of the regulation from Ontario, but our own rules may be a little bit different.” 

She pinpointed advertising as a key area variable that could be differentiated in the new markets as they take a nuanced approach from Ontario. 

As frameworks develop across Alberta and Canada in general, Troy Ross, President of TRM Public Affairs, was confident that shortfalls in US policy that have been exploited by derivative prediction markets won’t be replicated in the Canadian market, taking aim at the messy US approach that has led to the prediction market surge. 

Why affiliates must think outside the box on player retention 

TORONTO — Brand creativity and brand trust are of the utmost importance as the challenge of customer retention intensifies for iGaming affiliates. 

Speaking at the SBC Summit Canada, Keith Denis Geary, Director of Casino, Game Lounge urged affiliates to think outside the box if they plan on succeeding in the new landscape. 

Tyler Amirault, CEO, Hot Takes Sports, added that operators are looking to identify cohorts and understand the granularity into why some players are being retained and others aren’t. 

Amirault added: “How we keep our deals growing and healthy is by doing our best to collect data on players. We have to think about how do we stay compliant in different regions, as we do that, but I think consumer profiling is really how you can set yourself apart. 

“We’re not just, you know, we’re collecting some clicks and then disregarding that action. We’re trying to understand who these users are, what’s motivating them. Let’s use our data to check, like, how can we increase their session times on our sites, and how can that translate to more value for our operator partners.”

Timing is everything for affiliates

Amirault pinpointed the vital nature of timing and showed the players what they want to see at the vital moment of intent. 

He underpinned that he believes they gain a significant advantage from the ability to profile players across a myriad of different channels and to provide operator partners with a far deeper visibility. 

Andrew Garven, Head of Affiliate Marketing, Bet99, highlighted that true value comes from long-term thinking and a true roadmap for success, replacing short-term strategies:

“I’d love to see more like long-term partnership building. I know there’s been a lot of pressure on the industry, which has forced businesses into more short-term decisions – chasing the higher dollar, but I think we’d be a lot better off across the board if we kind of approached partnerships more of a long-term standpoint.”

UX in focus

Whilst there are limitations to the frictionless experience in the iGaming sector, deeplinking was cited by Calvin Konya, Co-Founder, Linemate as potentially key new shift in the way players engage with affiliates and the user experience in the mobile-first era. 

The user experience was elevated as a vital ingredient to the relationship between affiliates and players by Konya, who outlined that personalization and customized experience, “are North Star bullet points on a whiteboard for us to achieve in the next 12 to 24 months.”

He emphasised that data is no longer a differentiator – it is about meeting the experience expectations of the player when it comes to placing a bet and engaging with content. 

Geary identified the potential of AI to increase the levels of personalisation for affiliates and raising the bar in terms of data availability and usage. 

“Engagement is going to be the name of the game,” according to Geary, urging affiliates to leverage data to boost player retention. 

“Affiliates used to be just written content-based gaming SEO as much as possible, now it’s more of a media programming – channeled diversification and engagement through communities leveraging AI.”

He outlined that whilst affiliates were previously just content-based and SEO-focused, they now must also consider elements of gamification in order to bolster personalisation and subsequently build communities of players, where loyalty can thrive. 

Garven stated that affiliates must have a unique offering if they are to thrive in the new landscape – setting themselves apart and building community. He stated his belief that what let down the SEO affiliates was a lack of community being built. 

Largely, if you can become habitual, the road to success and sustainability is far clearer for affiliates, with Konya highlighting the real challenge of becoming a brand and not being just a tool.

Joe Streeter is editor of iGaming Expert at SlotBeats for SBC.

Alberta iGaming leader talks player safety need at SBC Summit Canada

TORONTO — Hon. Dale Nally, Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction for Alberta, emphasised that regulation was the only way forward for the province when it comes to iGaming, as he set out a clear player safety mission for progress.

Although he admitted that he would eradicate online gambling entirely if he could, Nally revealed that Alberta is coming into the conversation around iGaming with real momentum, and the framework is providing a strong foundation for the future.

“Player safety is going to be at the forefront of what we do. We want to make it as difficult as possible for anyone who is struggling with gambling,” emphasised Nally at SBC Summit Canada on Wednesday

Alberta focus on safety

Nally underpinned that opening the commercial market was never about money and was always focused on the safety of Albertans.

“We need that to be available to Albertans who do struggle with problematic gambling behaviors, because right now they’re struggling in silence.

“Our commitment is that we will have intensive outpatient therapy for any Albertan struggling with problematic gambling behaviors, and it will be paid for by the operators.”

From the opening day of the market, Alberta will include the strongest sustainable, safer gaming measures – not designed to slow industry down, but to support a sustainable and trustworthy market.

There will also be a strong focus on ensuring that marketing is responsible in the province and does not target minors or those most at risk of problem gambling.

Nally revealed that 1% of gross gaming revenue from operators will be donated to responsible gambling initiatives.

He added: “We’re also taking 2% off of gross gaming revenues, which is going to go to First Nations. And this was a decision that we made as a government in 2019.

“When we got elected, we said that we would draw a line in the sand, and we would be partners with First Nations on economic reconciliation, and that comes in many different formats.”

Best approach to what already is happening

He underpinned that Albertans are already gambling, with regulation the only way to ensure player safety. The approach will always be that of a light-touch regulation, but upon launch on July 13, there will be a significant toolbox that is offered to players to ensure safer gambling practices are as effective as possible.

Alberta’s entry into the market can be felt across the industry, according to Nally, who did not downplay the impact of the new player in the North American space. He also revealed that the appetite from operators is significant, with a wide spectrum of operators looking to tap into the Alberta space.

As regulations are rolled out for the growth of the regulated market, Nally was vigilant to the threat of the black market – but emphasised that they have learnt lessons from the cannabis sector.

He stated: “We know that there are responsible operators in the cannabis marketplace, and there’s also an illicit market, and the best way to deal with the illicit market in cannabis is to have a healthy, responsible, regulated legal market that is thriving.

“That’s going to be our same approach to online gambling. The best way to deal with the illicit market is to have a healthy, responsible legal market, and the more successful that market is, the harder it is going to be for the ‘repugnant’ black market operators to compete.”

Nally predicted “a dynamic tension” between the AiGC, the ALGC and operators in the province, which he stated was an indication of a strong market. Nonetheless, the measure of success will be around the feedback from Albertans, which he hopes will be positive and enjoyable.

The province has learnt significant lessons and studied the roadmap of other markets, not just Ontario, but also the UK, where the safer gambling tools will be mirrored in many ways as the market looks to open in the safest way possible.

Channelisation is also set to be a measure of success for Alberta gambling as the government looks to strangle the regulated market through a new regulatory framework, with him predicting that there will be around 70 applications for licenses as the market opens up.

Joe Streeter is editor of iGaming Expert at SlotBeats for SBC.

OLG head: recognizing risk not the same for every player in Ontario

TORONTO — Providing opening remarks at SBC Summit Canada, Duncan Hannay, President & CEO, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), underpinned that as the Ontario gaming sector continues to evolve, safer gambling must be at the forefront of its focus.

He said that it remains “crucial to our industry’s future sustainability,” specifically at a time when the gaming market is growing and changing faster than ever before.

According to Hannay, the way in which safer gambling is promoted is evolving, with the role of gaming providers being increasingly important to a sustainable sector.

How Ontario is shifting on responsible gaming

For OLG, this has led to a shift in the firm’s approach beyond what would be previously classified as a one-size-fits-all program to focus on more tailored, proactive solutions to reach players at key moments during their iGaming journey.

To bolster this strategy, the group has formed a newly created dedicated Safer Gambling team, which boosts data policy outreach and operations, and works collaboratively across the group’s business lines, digital lottery, and land-based gaming.

Hannay stated that, “although the risks may vary across channels, the core challenge is very much the same: engaging players in a way that meaningfully supports healthier play.”

Seeing the small differences

There are still nuances that remain crucial, though, and that is what fueled the introduction of player protection methods, Hannay revealed.

“OLG recognizes that risk is not the same for every player, and that younger adults may benefit from added help as they build healthy play habits and expand the reach of their safer gambling tools,” he emphasized.

One of the most effective tools is the centralized self-exclusion system, which he revealed they have been working closely with iGaming Ontario on, as it continues to progress towards launch.

Hannay also added that the industry must work together to keep pace with the rapid development of AI, as cybersecurity remains a key focus for the Ontario group.

With the growth of iGaming across the jurisdiction, it remains an alluring venture for cybersecurity threats, but Hannay issued a rallying call as he underpinned that, “as an industry, we look toward, we look to work together to respond to immediate cyber threats and stay ahead of emerging challenges.”

Joe Streeter is editor of iGaming Expert at SlotBeats for SBC.