Entain

Entain has appointed Dafne Guisard as the company’s Chief Operations Officer, effective from 13 January 2025.

As COO, Guisard will be responsible for operational excellence, global strategic planning, customer service organisation and M&A integration.

“Dafne brings a wealth of experience in driving strategic growth and delivering transformation on a global scale,” commented Gavin Isaacs, CEO of Entain.

“Her appointment will help place Entain at the leading edge of innovation, as well as strengthen the executive management team as we build on a period of stronger-than-expected revenue growth and key market expansion. Dafne will be a tremendous asset to Entain.”

An advocate for the transformative power of technology, Guisard joins Entain from The Kraft Heinz Company. Here, she was Chief Strategy, Transformation and Digital Officer, leading the company’s global ten-year growth strategy, developing new operational models and driving digital transformation. 

Before Kraft Heinz, she worked for nine years in various leadership positions at Anheuser-Busch InBev, eight years in management consulting and equities, and also co-founded a machine learning tech start-up.

Responsible Gambling Council

In an email to stakeholders, the Responsible Gambling Council announced the appointment of Sarah McCarthy as its next CEO, effective 6 January 2025.

Bringing 15 years of leadership experience to the position, McCarthy will be replacing Shelley White, who is stepping down from the position after announcing her retirement earlier this year in June.

McCarthy most recently served as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Rick Hansen Foundation, where she was responsible for strategic and operational planning, program implementation and the stewardship of impactful business development strategies. 

She also led a team across four key departments of Accessibility Certification, Accessibility Advisory Services social enterprise, School Program and Marketing/Communications, helping to advance the foundation’s mission of accessibility and inclusion. 

Before the Rick Hansen Foundation, McCarthy was the Executive Director at the International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care and other notable non-profits, driving advancements in policy and governance on an international scale, helping to influence policy development and setting global standards.

RGC’s Board Chair, Yvon Lemire, stated: “Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Sarah in her new role. We look forward to her contributions and leadership in achieving our strategic objectives and furthering our mission.”

Lemire also thanked White for her service to RGC and wished her well as she steps into retirement.

He said: “Shelley’s leadership has been transformative, steering the RGC through significant initiatives that have expanded our reach and deepened our impact. 

“Her strategic foresight was instrumental in launching groundbreaking programs that have set industry standards in responsible gambling. Her passion for advocacy and her commitment to our cause have not only enriched our organisation but also the broader community we serve. 

“As Shelley embarks on her well-earned retirement, we reflect on her legacy of innovation and leadership, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for her years of dedicated service.”

iGaming Ontario

iGaming Ontario has announced that it has begun its search for its next President and CEO.

To be based in Toronto, the successful candidate will succeed Martha Otton, who announced back in August that she would be retiring at the end of this year.

With the support of a dedicated team, iGO noted that the President and CEO will provide visionary leadership, strategic direction and operational oversight within the Canadian province’s igaming market.  

Applicants can apply for the role through the Odgers Berndtson website.

Inspired Entertainment

Inspired Entertainment has appointed James Richardson as its next Chief Financial Officer, effective from 1 January 2025.

Richardson brings nearly 30 years of experience to Inspired, with knowledge in financial leadership, strategic planning, commercial development, corporate finance, M&A and operational management across various industries including online gaming, financial services and payments.

“We are thrilled to welcome James to the Inspired Entertainment team,” said Brooks Pierce, CEO of Inspired. 

“James’s extensive background in financial reporting and governance for both US and UK publicly listed businesses, his strong financial management and his proven track record for driving growth, value creation, and technical accounting expertise make him an ideal fit for our company as we continue to execute our strategic initiatives and deliver value to our shareholders. 

“The combination of James’ leadership and experience across multiple sectors, particularly the gaming industry, will allow him to make an immediate contribution.”

Richardson joins Inspired from Manchester Airports Group (MAG), where he oversaw financial operations for London Stansted and East Midlands airports as its Group Commercial Finance Director and Finance Director.

Before MAG, he was the Global Finance Director for William Hill plc’s online betting and gaming business. Beginning his career at PwC, he has also held senior financial positions at DFC Global Corp and Global Payments Inc.

Commenting on his new role, Richardson said: “I am excited to join Inspired Entertainment and contribute to its next phase of growth. I look forward to working with the talented team at Inspired to build on the company’s strong foundation and its ongoing expansion of its digital vertical in order to drive continued growth and success.”

Enteractive

Enteractive has appointed Lukasz Zebrowski as its new Head of Compliance. 

Zebrowski brings experience in regulatory compliance to the role and will help Enteractive in providing safe, responsible and effective reactivation services to operators, tailored and compliant with regulatory requirements in each market.

“At Enteractive, my focus will be on aligning our services with the highest industry standards, ensuring regulatory alignment in all the markets we operate in,” commented Zebrowski.

“We are dedicated to maintaining a compliance-first approach, particularly in player protection and fraud prevention, with comprehensive training programs to uphold these values at every level.”

Andrew Foster, Chief Business Development Officer at Enteractive, added: “Lukasz’s expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes will strengthen our compliance efforts, helping us deliver even greater value to our clients across diverse jurisdictions. 

“His leadership will ensure we maintain the highest standards in responsible gambling and fraud detection, reinforcing our commitment to safeguarding operators and their players.”

The post Entain, Responsible Gambling Council, iGaming Ontario: on the move appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Retiring in December, White has served as CEO of the RGC for almost eight years, joining the organisation in February 2017. The council has already begun its recruitment process for a new CEO.

Congratulating White on her upcoming retirement, the RGC stated in a LinkedIn post: “Shelley’s commitment to RGC and the people, organisations and communities we serve globally is unparalleled. We will celebrate Shelley and the remarkable contribution she has made to RGC as her retirement date approaches.”

White published her own LinkedIn post about her upcoming retirement, praising the RGC and their responsible gambling work for giving her a “worthwhile, exciting and fulfilling journey”, while also taking the time to promote the vacant CEO position.

“It has been an honour to serve as CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council,” noted White.

“I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such an outstanding board of directors, staff team and stakeholders over the years. Together we have advanced RGC’s vital mission, vision and values. 

White continued: “Today, RGC is a global leader that is having a profound impact on creating a responsible gambling ecosystem. I feel so fortunate to have been involved in this worthwhile, exciting and fulfilling journey.

“There is so much more to do to advance safer gambling, prevention education, player health & well-being, within Canada and internationally. RGC is well-positioned to continue to be a global leader in responsible gambling.

“I highly recommend this important CEO role to humanitarian and entrepreneurial leaders, who want to lead a dynamic, fast-paced social enterprise, as well as collaborate with a phenomenal team and group of stakeholders.”

Before joining the RGC, White spent close to 14 years as the CEO of United Way of Peel Region, a social services organisation in the Peel Region of the Greater Toronto Area.

The post RGC CEO Shelley White announces her retirement appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Founded in 2018, Alpha Hub is a global virtual community of startups, academics, investors and corporate partners with technologies and ideas that can positively enhance the betting and gaming industry.

Flutter has two programmes – Flutter Tech4Good Award and Flutter & RGC: Play Well Challenge – which support the company’s overall Positive Impact Plan of achieving global sustainability targets in responsible gambling and wider goals by 2030.

The Tech4Good Award brings to light how technology can help to address social issues, particularly those that meet the needs of disadvantaged groups, have a clear plan to scale and ability to measure the impact of their solution.

Flutter Entertainment Chief Information Officer, Conor Lynch, said: “The Flutter Tech4Good Award and Play Well Challenge align our expertise in technology with the ambitious targets set out within our Positive Impact Plan.

“As part of this, we want to utilise our global scale and in-house talent to support the innovative startups that are developing technology that enhances consumer protection and drives positive change in the communities in which we operate.”

In partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council, based in Canada, the Play Well Challenge aims to use insights from systems, technologies and research to create a safer gambling environment for players.

Shelley White, CEO of RGC, added: “RGC is proud to collaborate with Flutter on this important programme to minimise harms related to gambling. The Flutter & RGC Play Well Challenge has the ability to drive real change in responsible gambling, globally, and ultimately create a safer gambling experience for millions of people.”

Flutter Entertainment’s Positive Impact Plan global sustainability goals include: 

• Having a positive impact on communities and improving the lives of 10 million people by the end of 2030 through sport, play, and colleagues’ skills.
• Helping customers to Play Well by having 75 per cent of active online customers using responsible gambling tools by 2030 and over 50 per cent by 2026.

The post Flutter calls on Alpha Hub startups to help with RG & community initiatives appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In a debate session that was titled ‘responsible gaming as a driver for growth’, and that began with talk of Quebec’s maple syrup monopoly, the 45 minute discussion delved down a multitude of key avenues.

As we continue to relive our Ontario escapades, the concluding edition of our three-part special saw the panellists quizzed on what needs to happen long-term to achieve overarching responsible gambling goals. 

Dan Spencer, Director of Safer Gambling at Epic Risk Management, Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at OLG, Shelly White, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council, Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos, and Jacob Coin, Executive Advisor to the Chair of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, gazed into their crystal balls.

ML: Looking ahead, what needs to happen next on RG, or even the wider consumer protection front, to achieve the so coveted long term sustainability of the Ontario market or the markets beyond? Is it a matter of quality or quantity? 

DS: There’s lessons from Europe that have to be learned. We’ve been talking about this for years at this point, and the same mistakes are still being made. 

“I think having a certain bar that everybody must meet is important”

Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos

So if you look at Europe, Europe’s journey, the mistakes we made were that the marketing message wasn’t right for the customers, we didn’t break the link between payday loan companies and gambling companies and we didn’t we didn’t protect those vulnerable customers in the right way. We actually treated the problematic customers, the VIP customer. 

So those three things have already happened in North America, we’ve already not learned those lessons … some operators out there have already tripped over those wires that were easily to avoid.

If we look forward to the future of what needs to happen across this, I’m talking about global industry here, we need RG in every boardroom. In every boardroom of every operator, the highest person in your team for RG needs to be in the boardroom. That’s how important it is. They need to be on a comparative salary to those that are working in the commercial side of your business, because RG is a commercial side of the business.

NS: I think we need to do a better job at collaborating with the stakeholders that we have, especially among operators. I think having a certain bar that everybody must meet is important. 

I think there’s an opportunity to get better. I think that’s an opportunity. And in terms of quality over quantity, I think it’s both. 

“Don’t rest on your laurels, heed the warnings, do the work, get your RG priorities out of your backlogs”

Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at OLG

I think the quantity of the message needs to continue to increase. We need to get more creative with the RG message. 

I’ve seen some ads from online gaming companies that are quite funny, but it gets the message across in a different way. So I think from a marketing perspective we need to get a bit more creative, and I’m speaking about ourselves and the industry in general. 

JC: I fully agree that there needs to be greater coordination and collaboration among the operators in Indian country. 

For example, if someone were to self exclude or self ban from San Manuel, nothing stops them from going to Morongo 18 miles away and playing in their casino, or Agua Caliente another 20 miles away. 

So there’s got to be some kind of an understanding among tribes and tribal properties that we’re all in this together, at least to some degree. We obviously are not going to all have the same kinds of commitments, but it’d be nice if we could at least agree on a bar that’s high.

AG: Don’t rest on your laurels, heed the warnings, do the work, get your RG priorities out of your backlogs and move your programmes and move your policies forward. We have all kinds of examples from Europe, we also have seen what’s happened in Australia. 

“…we’ve got a solid foundation to build upon in this country that is going to, I believe, influence other markets globally”

Shelly White, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council

What kind of effort would we be willing to put in to protect the fact that our customers want to use their credit cards? What kind of effort would we be willing to put in to protect the fact that we want to run ads during sports broadcasts? And before 9pm? What kind of effort would we put into the fact that we want to avoid getting a $450m fine? 

These are real examples of what happens when you don’t focus on our GE and move your programmes and your policies forward. There are lessons to be learned.

SW:  I’m going to try to summarise in four points, what we talk about at RGC at the board level and at the staff level, in terms of what needs to be done next.

We’ve done a lot, and we’ve got a solid foundation to build upon in this country that is going to, I believe, influence other markets globally. 

First of the four points is prevention, secondly, data analytics and research, thirdly, measurement, evaluate any evaluation and the fourth is a pan Canadian approach.

To read the first part of this Canadian Gaming Summit special edition click here, while part two can be found here.

The post Ontario RG: there’s lessons from Europe that have to be learned appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In a debate session that was titled ‘responsible gaming as a driver for growth’, and that began with talk of Quebec’s maple syrup monopoly, the 45 minute discussion delved down a multitude of key avenues.

In the second of a three-part CasinoBeats special, Shelly White, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council, Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos, Dan Spencer, Director of Safer Gambling at Epic Risk Management, Jacob Coin, Executive Advisor to the Chair of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at the OLG, impart their wisdom once again.

ML: Are we efficient enough in promoting what we do, and proving what we’ve done and how well we’ve done it on the RG side of things?

SW: Over the past three years we’re hearing more conversation among leaders in the gambling industry, talking about how they feel that having a focus on responsible gambling is contributing to their sustainability, their bottom line as organisations. 

So they talk about by doing the right thing, they believe that it’s contributing to their sustainability. They also talk about how they believe that by doing the right thing, that it’s contributing to customer retention and customer loyalty.

“I think that we all do a good job of promoting our commitment to responsible gambling, proving it is a lot harder”

Aaron GlynWilliams, Director of Social Responsibility at the OLG

And there is some data that corresponds. Those operators who implement responsible gambling strategies do have higher rates of employee retention. Employees actually feel proud to be part of an organisation that walks the walk when they talk about consumer protection and customer care and that kind of thing. 

We know through ESG reporting, that there’s talk about how RG contributes to the value, the contribution, the good works, that a gambling industry provides to society, economic growth and development, etc. 

But I say believe because we don’t have a scorecard, we don’t have a set of metrics in order to prove this. And I believe that this is an extremely important next step for this industry to develop a common set of metrics to be able to measure and communicate the impact that responsible gambling and player health etc are having on the industry going forward.

AG: I think that we all do a good job of promoting our commitment to responsible gambling, proving it is a lot harder. But we know, we know the role that it plays. 

I think the position I take in the debate is not that it is a driver for growth, it is the driver for growth, especially moving forward. 

Our responsible gambling campaigns over perform our product campaigns on building trust in OLG, getting players to want to try our products. 

We know that we are losing revenue from players who self exclude. From those that self excluded, we lost two per cent in a previous year when we did the analysis.

“But really, for me, it’s building RG into the fabric of the DNA of our organisation”

Nav Sandhawalia, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Niagara Casinos

JC: If we believe first of all what we’re reading about these up and coming generations, the millennials, gen z’s, we’ve heard or read the stories that they say that they would rather spend their money supporting companies that have a social conscience, that believe and social justice, the environment and all these other things. 

And if we also believe that our current slot players, that demo is aging out pretty soon. The 60-65 year olds are not going to be able to visit our properties very much anymore. So we’ve got to focus on the millennials and the gen z’s as the new areas of growth. 

And RG programmes give us a perfect opportunity to give them this value proposition of how we treat our customers, how we care for them, how we prepare for them to protect their interest, is going to go a long way, we believe, in attracting this new demographic for future growth.

NS: More importantly how do you create that culture where you just feel it and everybody in the organisation cares? And I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that there’s people even in our organisation that really haven’t still bought in. 

So, how do you bring them along? How do you bring along the continuum, so they not only believe it, that they also share that with our customer. 

I think we have a way to go. You could say, oh we’ve done 100 per cent training, we’ve done that and this. But really, for me, it’s building RG into the fabric of the DNA of our organisation.

“We should all know by now problematic gamblers are not good for business”

Dan Spencer, Director of Safer Gambling at Epic Risk Management

DS: Let’s answer the question of the subject of this panel responsible gambling for growth. We should all know by now problematic gamblers are not good for business. So that should answer the question. 

I know clients of mine that have done private studies on why their customers choose them as a casino, and they cannot believe the percentage that choose them because they believe them to be an ethical operator. 

We’re dealing with a new generation coming through now that chooses to spend their money based on a set of moral and ethical values. And that is huge. 

What I need is for an operator to go and prove it to the rest of the industry. I need an operator to come out there and say we’ve focused so much on RG, we’ve closed down this percentage of accounts, and our profits have gone up. And here’s why.

To read the first part of this Canadian Gaming Summit special edition, click here.

The post Canadian Gaming Summit: moral & ethical values key in attracting future generations appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Regarded as one of the most comprehensive responsible gaming accreditation programmes, RG Check validates organisations that have implemented robust responsible gaming policies and practices.

Measuring a company’s commitment to responsible gaming, player health, and safeguards, the process involves a thorough evaluation of a firm’s responsible gaming program, including its policies, procedures and training platforms.

“We are proud to have received this prestigious RG Check certification,” commented Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM.

“This accreditation is a testament to our ongoing efforts to promote responsibility throughout our business and to ensure the well-being of our customers. We will continue to work closely with the RGC and other industry partners to promote a culture of safe and enjoyable gambling.”

Conducted by RGC’s team of experts, BetMGM’s US, Ontario and Borgata Online labels were assessed during its evaluation of its responsible gaming programme effectiveness, with recommendations for improvement provided based on established standards and criteria.

“Congratulations to BetMGM on achieving the RG Check accreditation for all of its North American platforms,” added Shelley White, CEO of RGC.

“This accomplishment is a clear demonstration that BetMGM has a strong commitment to responsible gambling and player safety. We commend BetMGM for its dedication to promoting responsible gambling practices and its efforts to ensure the well-being of their players.”

BetMGM’s responsible gaming resources also include GameSense, a programme developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, which is available to the operator’s in-person and mobile customers.

Back at the beginning of March, BetMGM and MGM extended their partnership with BCLC for the GameSense programme for an additional five years.

The post BetMGM awarded RG Check certification for responsible gaming practices appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Both under the PENN Entertainment umbrella, these latest approvals, along with PENN Interactive and TheScore Bet’s approval last year, means the US-based gambling firm has achieved RG Check accreditation across its interactive division.

Chris Soriano, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at PENN Entertainment, explained: “PENN is committed to being at the forefront of responsible gaming and achieving this accreditation for our online platforms further strengthens our top of class RG programme.

“We have and will continue to be proactive by investing in valuable training and resources to ensure that we are providing the safest possible environment for players to responsibly enjoy gaming. 

“Electing to undergo, and receiving accreditation following a thorough review of our operation, demonstrates that we’re actioning the highest standards of RG programming.”

The Responsible Gambling Council developed RG Check, renowned as the “most comprehensive” responsible gambling accreditation programme, in consultation with policy makers, global gambling providers, players and people who have experienced gambling harm. 

The accreditation process helps gambling operators evaluate, monitor and manage all aspects of their RG strategy.

“RGC would like to congratulate PENN Interactive on achieving RG Check accreditation for US sites: Barstool Sportsbook and HollywoodCasino.com,” added Shelley White, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. “This accomplishment re-affirms its commitment to player protections and more importantly, making responsible gambling a priority in its operations. 

“RG Check provides operators with invaluable insights into their RG programming and an actionable roadmap for continuous improvement. RGC is pleased to continue to support PENN Interactive’s harm minimisation efforts across jurisdictions.”

PENN has established a comprehensive framework to promote a culture of responsible gaming throughout the organisation and maintains a Corporate Responsible Gaming Committee to oversee its responsible gaming programmes.

The post PENN’s Barstool & Hollywood Casino gain RGC accreditation appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Responsible gambling is an increasingly crucial part of the industry’s inner workings. Both internal and external pressures have made operators, suppliers and other stakeholders take notice of the work they do to protect players from gambling harms. 

Whilst attention has traditionally gone towards making existing gamblers aware of the risks associated with wagering, often those gamblers are of older demographics. A survey conducted by Statista in December 2021 found that the age group that had the most weekly sports betting participants was those aged 35-44.

Yet, as the rise of online and mobile gambling has increased the accessibility and usability of gambling to those of much younger age groups, the focus has shifted to ensuring that young people growing up around gambling do not get sucked in by the risks of online gambling. 

At the forefront of this in Canada is the Responsible Gambling Council, which has conducted research into gambling harms for decades and has taken up a role as an educator. The RGC has ramped up its efforts in recent times to educate young people aged 18-25 to reduce the impact of online gambling.

There are myriad reasons why young people may get involved in gambling, especially online. Peer pressure through social groups, access to drugs and increased accessibility certainly all play a role, but a far more intrinsic and internal reason plays a part.

White told SBC Leaders that neurology is a key influence on young people’s susceptibility: “There’s a neuroscience element to this, and that the prefrontal cortex, which manages judgement, really doesn’t develop fully until the age of 25. So actually, prior to that age, young people are making decisions with more of the emotional side of their brain.”

“…we know that based on research there is a correlation between higher gambling risk, and simultaneously using alcohol or cannabis”

A popular way of educating players is to encourage players to not drink and gamble. But in Canada, specifically, there is an issue too with the use of cannabis and gambling, which White noted plays a big role in young people’s risk.

“In several jurisdictions, it’s in that age range that they have legal access to alcohol and to substances such as cannabis,” she added. “And, in a few jurisdictions globally, we know that based on research there is a correlation between higher gambling risk, and simultaneously using alcohol or cannabis.”

An evidence-based organisation, the RGC always conducts thorough research before undertaking any line of strategy. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the organisation conducted a study into the effects of lockdowns on the gambling behaviours of those aged 18-24. 

Owing to financial issues, mental health deterioration and loneliness, young people were found to be at increased risk of gambling harm during this period.

As the RGC’s lead outlined: “Young adults 18 to 24 years of age were consistently found to be at an increased risk of gambling-related harms during COVID. More specifically, young adults are more likely to have suffered negative financial impacts due to losing their job or reduced work hours. 

“Over 50 per cent experienced a reduction in their household income. And in line with the financial harm, young people were also significantly more prone to mental health concerns, reporting greater levels of severe anxiety and depression, as well as lower life satisfaction compared to older adults. And social isolation contributed to that immensely.”

But having well-thought-out and reasoned research isn’t the only factor in creating an effective player education program, White noted. Striking the right tone, developing the most engaging language and reaching the correct medium is essential to communicating with this digital-savvy cohort of gamblers. 

“We also know how to communicate with language that isn’t patronising, so the inclusion of humour is really helpful too”

“That’s one thing that we’ve learned over the years, that it’s so important to tailor the message to the audience. So because we understand that youth and young adults are at an increased risk, we’ve really created a dedicated youth and young adult portion to our website that provides information to these groups about what is gambling because we know that they’re online, they’ll go to websites to seek information.” 

As well as carving out a specific youth page on its website, RGC has developed several other ways to reach younger gamblers while using the correct language to create an effective piece of education.

White addressed the need to use appropriate language within the messaging: “Public service announcements (used to be) more directive, like don’t drink and drive, to a culture that is more about engagement and giving people the information so they can make choices. 

“So if we look at the alcohol industry, it’s gone from ‘don’t drink and drive’, to ‘plan your ride home’ and giving people options, which we know is extremely important. Providing individuals with messaging that lets them know what the risks are lets them know what the options are, but gives people choices. 

“We also know how to communicate with language that isn’t patronising, so the inclusion of humour is really helpful too. We did research and created an ad campaign for young people about the risks of gambling while under the influence of cannabis. 

“When cannabis became legalised in Canada, we developed a whole campaign called Grunk that had this young guy who was trying to teach people gambling while he was under the influence of cannabis, so that you could see how ridiculous and how his judgement was impaired. 

“It was really successful in terms of helping to communicate that message in a way that young people could relate to.”

“We’ve also gamified the approach – we find that gamification of the message also resonates well”

Ensuring that youngsters are protected from gaming is essential for the campaign, yet for the RGC this doesn’t mean that any form of gaming must be ruled out of the messaging. 

After all, young people nowadays have, for the most part, grown up with game consoles and other devices, meaning they can often be engaged and informed by gaming content.

White explained: “We’ve also gamified the approach – we find that gamification of the message also resonates well with this particular age cohort as well, just given the fact that they’ve grown up with video games. So for teenagers, we have a programme that goes into secondary schools throughout the province called the Game Brain and it’s more like a game show.” 

Having created player education campaigns to reduce the impact of gambling harms on young people across Canada, the RGC is turning its attention to measuring success, as well as reinforcing its messaging and creating new campaigns.

For White it will be a long process, as she admitted that it can be a difficult task to measure changes in gambling or individual activity. 

But remaining adamant and consistent that problem gambling is a stain on Canadian society will help to reduce the issue.

“I have to say that measuring behavioural change is somewhat difficult, but we believe that being consistent is imperative,” she said. “We consistently reach different segments of the population with our programmes and campaigns, and we’re constantly reevaluating the message and the tactics that are evidence-informed and backed by research.”

It’s not just the RGC that has a responsibility to fight this battle. It remains a key priority for all stakeholders, particularly operators to fight problem gambling across all demographics, not just younger people. 

iGaming Ontario is mandating all partners in the province to undergo the RGC’s RG Check from April 2023 to ensure they employ best practices when it comes to RG, whilst AGCO remains strict on its advertising standards, which include banning offers and inducements. 

Concluding, White noted that every industry stakeholder has a shared responsibility and the initial signs are encouraging. “I think it’s a real partnership,” she noted. “I have to say that at RGC, we’re really encouraged to see how seriously operators are taking responsible gambling and that it’s at the forefront of their work. You’ll see it on the home pages of their sites, they’re really trying to incorporate it into the player experience. 

“They’re talking about player sustainability, customer loyalty, they see it as really important to the sustainability of the industry. And these are operators around the world. So we really believe that collaboration is key.”

The post Responsible Gambling Council: educating youngsters on gambling risks appeared first on CasinoBeats.

This has been undertaken via a collaborative partnership with marketing and research association thinktv, with the initiative set to hit television and radio in the coming weeks.

Following the much publicised April 1 legalisation in the province, the pair aim to inform that while online gambling and sports betting may be an entertainment activity, it’s important to remember that it comes with risk.

Proceeding with an approach to grab the attention of new and recreational gamblers, the campaign will drive users to the website KnowTheRisks.ca for more information regarding risks and safer play strategies.

“With the rise of online gambling and sports betting advertising in Ontario – and across Canada – we recognised there was a need to help the public understand the sensationalised ads we’re seeing on TV don’t necessarily reflect reality, explained Shelley White, CEO of RGC. 

“It is important for everyone to learn and understand the risks involved when gambling in the online space and how to minimise those risks when playing online. 

“This campaign is more important than ever as new operators continue to enter the market. We are proud to be collaborating with thinktv and Canada’s broadcasters to deliver critical responsible gambling messages to the public so that people can make informed decisions if they gamble.”

Through thinktv’s member networks, this public service announcement will run across Canadian broadcast networks in Ontario, with the potential to expand to the rest of Canada.

“We are delighted to work with RGC to support ongoing player protection initiatives with our member broadcast networks,” stated Alan Dark, Chair of thinktv.

“There is an opportunity for us all to work together to ensure Ontarians receive a balanced message when it comes to online gambling and sports betting. 

“The broadcast community plays an important role in shaping the gambling advertising landscape, and we are proud to be leading the charge in a responsible way to meet the needs of the industry and the public.”

Furthermore, the RGC is aiming to continue its collaborative work with stakeholders to develop evidence-informed programs to meet “the evolving needs of players and the industry” and drive a more sustainable ecosystem.

The post RGC and thinktv launch public education campaign in Ontario appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Amid the ongoing legalisation of igaming and online sports betting, the independent non-profit asserts that a “need has emerged to better understand the impacts that marketing and advertising play,” particularly in legal, quasi-legal and grey market environments.

This multi-phase independent study comes months after Canada’s legalisation of single-event sports betting and the launch of Ontario’s new regulated online market, which, the RGC said, has resulted in “a significant influx” of marketing and advertising across all media.

“Through this research, we not only have the ability to affect necessary changes to our marketing and advertising standards here in Ontario, but also the ability to make great impacts to the harm minimisation efforts of jurisdictions all around the world,” stated Shelley White, CEO of the RGC. 

“This comprehensive study truly highlights the culture shift that the industry is currently undergoing, and by leveraging our research partners, we can make greater impacts in protecting players and communities.”  

The project, which will be led by researchers at RGC’s Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices, will explore the current global landscape before providing policy recommendations that address key operating environments, such as Ontario and New Jersey.

With a completion date set for early 2024, the exploration will also look to gain insights from regulators and operators in a bid to help identify opportunities for quality improvement.

“We saw an opportunity to provide cutting edge thought leadership to the industry. There is a need to better understand the impacts of increased marketing and advertising on all stakeholders,” said George Sweny, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Flutter International. 

“This foundational research will help us all make necessary strides towards bridging the gap between best and better practices in an area of significant importance. 

“Leading progress is one of the key pillars of our global Play Well strategy and we are delighted to be working with the RGC to support this important research.”

The post Flutter to fund RGC exploration of the marketing & advertising landscape appeared first on CasinoBeats.