The ‘Land-based’ conference track will commence on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 19th, the first core day of Canada’s premier gaming and betting event, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. 

 Tailored for the 3,000 industry professionals attending the event, panels will cover a range of topics, from the revitalization of charitable gaming to strategies for identifying signs of human trafficking in land-based casinos, and how integrating omnichannel technology can be a game changer for the land-based segment.

 Kicking off the track is the panel titled ‘Modern Approaches to Traditional Verticals: Digitization Comes for Lottery, Bingo, and Horses.’ This session will explore how emerging technologies can be leveraged by these traditional sectors. Tom Metzger (CEO, Lotto.com), Lloyd Danzig (Managing Partner, Sharp Alpha Advisors), Bill Pascrell III (Partner, PPAG), Stuart Godfrey (Managing Director, Mkodo),  Colin Cole-Johnson (CEO, Bede Gaming), and panel moderator Tony Plaskow (CEO, Pixiu Gaming) will discuss the optimal strategies for digital operators aiming to enter markets with a land-based mindset and how they can integrate innovation with a traditional approach.

​​The panel titled ‘Charitable Gaming (Ontario): the Value, the Impact, and the Partnership’ will provide insights into the revitalization of charitable gaming in Ontario and examine how key players collaborate to maintain its relevance in the ever-evolving gaming landscape. Speakers Lynn Cassidy (Executive Director, OCGA), David Pridmore (Chief Gaming Officer, OLG), David Philips (Chief Operating Officer, AGCO), and moderator Peter McMahon (Chief Executive Officer, CGAO) will discuss the significance of such partnerships among key stakeholders in bringing charitable gaming back to the forefront, along with the successes and challenges of these collaborations.

The panel ‘Identifying and Combating Human Trafficking in Land-Based Casinos’ will address the growing issue of human trafficking in land-based casinos and explore the latest safeguarding protocols available. Expert speakers Derek Ramm (Global Head Advisory Services, Kinectify Advisors), Kevin deBruyckere (Director of AML & Investigation, BCLC ), Paul Pelizzari (VP of Social Responsibility, Hard Rock International), and Julia Drydyk (Executive Director, The Centre to End Human Trafficking), alongside panel moderator Ian Messenger (CEO & Founder, ACGCS) will identify the telltale signs of human trafficking and offer key strategies to enhance player safeguarding and create safer gaming environments.

Concluding the track is the panel titled ‘Transforming the Land-Based Brand: Omnichannel Tech and Innovation’. This session will explore how land-based casinos are embracing omnichannel technology to revolutionize their services and enhance the customer experience. Industry experts Michael Brady (Chair, Bede Gaming), Stewart Groumoutis (Director of Digital Strategy, BCLC), Phil Chatterton (VP Sales & Partnerships, Comm100), Harrison Barrett (Business Development Director, GiG), Yaniv Komemi (CEO, MTGG) and moderator Martin Collins (CBDO, Soft2Bet) will delve into the omnichannel technology that is revitalizing the land-based casino experience, evaluate the success of destination resorts, and explore how brands can reinvent their marketing output to promote their latest innovations.

In addition to the content that will be explored during the ‘Land-based track,’ delegates will have the opportunity to delve into other key industry areas of interest through dedicated conference tracks covering player protection, sports betting, growth & leadership, payments & compliance and affiliation & advertising.