Canada
Open Banking Initiative Canada appoints Tara Wilson COO of Paysafe’s Income Access to Board of Directors
Open Banking Initiative Canada (OBIC), a not-for-profit organization gathering great minds in finance, technology, and regulation to promote the development of open banking in Canada, has appointed Tara Wilson, COO of Income Access, Paysafe Group’s marketing technology and services provider, to its board of directors. The announcement also sees OBIC take another step towards its goal of achieving 50/50 board representation by the end of 2021, reaching 30% of its goal. This stands in stark contrast to the status quo across Canada, as 18.1 percent of director seats were held by women in 2017.
Wilson brings almost two decades of expertise in the technology industry and is an award-winning FinTech leader. She joined Paysafe Group in 2015, later making an internal transition to its marketing technology and services provider Income Access, which specializes in supporting the growth of partners across the iGaming, forex, and lottery sectors, respectively. As COO, she oversees all aspects of Income Access, including product development and innovation, streamlining of all operational processes, and growing the company’s extensive client base by breaking into new verticals globally.
Wilson’s appointment reflects OBIC’s ongoing commitment to establishing a board of directors that possesses a wealth of industry expertise and is bound by shared beliefs regarding the value of open banking for Canadian consumers. An influential and positive disruptor committed to diversity, inclusion, equity, and progressive workplace culture, Wilson has garnered numerous accolades, including:
- Women’s Executive Network (WXN) Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada 2019
- Women Run Workplace of the Year 2020, 2019 (Stevie Awards)
- Female Executive of the Year 2020, 2018 (Stevie Awards)
Christian Clapton, Executive Director of OBIC, regarding the significance of Wilson’s addition to the board, said: “Tara’s a highly recognized and inspiring leader who will bring her considerable knowledge and influence to the OBIC Board’s efforts. She will be an integral member of our team and our commitment to bringing open banking to Canadian consumers. We’re all looking forward to working with her.”
Michelle Beyo, OBIC Board member and Founder and CEO of Finavator Inc., said: “OBIC’s commitment to diversity is incredibly important in driving an inclusive open banking ecosystem. I am so proud to be a board member and excited to welcome Tara Wilson. Tara has achieved so much in her fintech career and it is such a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with her to strive towards open banking for Canadian consumers.”
Commenting on her board appointment, Wilson said: “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to join the OBIC’s board of directors and be part of an initiative that’s dedicated to spurring financial innovation for the benefit of Canadians. In addition, the OBIC promises to be a leader when it comes to diversity and inclusion, something which has always been one of my own core focuses, with its mission of achieving a 50/50 board by the end of 2021.”
SOURCE Open Banking Initiative Canada (OBIC)
Home field advantage has a new name, as the Edmonton Elks announced that Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is now the home of the Elks.
The field naming rights are part of a broader multi-year agreement between Play Alberta and the EE, making Play Alberta the official sports betting partner of the Club.
“We couldn’t be more excited to expand our partnership with Play Alberta. This partnership is about more than just putting a name on the field – it’s about building something meaningful for our fans and our community. Play Alberta is an Alberta-based organization that shares our values and our commitment to giving back. Together, we’re creating new ways for fans to connect with our team and experience the game day atmosphere in a whole new way,” said Elks President and CEO Chris Morris.
The expanded relationship between the Elks and Play Alberta will allow the game day experience to continue to grow. Fans can look forward to unique activations and promotions around the stadium, including the chance to win game tickets and memorabilia.
“Since Play Alberta’s launch five years ago, our team has made it a priority to connect with the communities where our players live and work. We are very excited to join the Edmonton Elks on the field on game days during upcoming CFL seasons. Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium allows us to partner with the Elks and showcase two brands built for Albertans in a historic Edmonton location,” said Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Chief Executive Officer Kandice Machado.
The Elks open their 76th season on Saturday, June 7 in Vancouver when they take on the B.C. Lions. Edmonton’s home opener at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is slated for Thursday, June 19 against the Montreal Alouettes.
BCLC has launched a Scratch & Win ticket that is a win-win for both the Top Prize winner and their registered B.C. charity of choice.
The Greater Good Giveaway ticket offers a Top Prize of $10,000 for the winner and $10,000 for their registered charity of choice, selected from a list of British Columbia charities on CanadaHelps.
Thomas D’Cruz from Richmond is the first Top Prize winner for Greater Good Giveaway. D’Cruz selected the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation to receive the $10,000 charity prize, sharing that he “wanted to help children.” The winning ticket was purchased at Walmart on Alderbridge Way in Richmond.
There are over 12,000 registered B.C. charities on CanadaHelps for Top Prize winners to select from that support a variety of different causes, including arts and culture, education, social services and more.
“At BCLC, we believe that when we share the wins, we feel more connected to each other, our communities and our province,” says Natasha Questel, BCLC Chief Social Purpose Officer and Vice President of Marketing. “Our players have shared that they are interested in different types of prizing that go beyond a dollar amount, so as we celebrate our 40th anniversary we’re thrilled to launch the Greater Good Giveaway – a ticket that allows our players the chance to support causes that resonate deeply with them, and aligns strongly with our social purpose – to generate win-wins for the greater good.”
Greater Good Giveaway tickets are $2 each and are available for purchase at lottery retailers across the province. For full details on the Greater Good Giveaway ticket, including how to play, please visit our website.
In 2024, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $137 million in winnings from Scratch & Win.
Since 1985, BCLC has delivered more than $29 billion to the provincial government to support communities, provincial programs and services, charities and major events that have helped shape B.C.
Random State (“RS”), the Swedish studio behind next‑generation iLottery and multiplayer bingo content, has been granted a Gaming‑Related Supplier – Manufacturer licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The approval, effective 14 May 2025, authorises RS to offer its games and platform services to licensed operators across Ontario.
“Securing the Ontario licence is a milestone our entire team has worked tirelessly toward,” said Adam Fonsica, Co‑Founder & COO at Random State. “Ontario not only validates the quality and integrity of our technology; it provides a launchpad for our broader North‑American expansion. We can’t wait to introduce our eInstant titles and multiplayer bingo hub to Ontario players later this year, together with a soon‑to‑be‑announced operator.”
The licence clears the way for RS to roll out its full product portfolio in Ontario:
Interactive eInstants – instant‑win games that re‑imagine traditional lottery mechanics with modern gameplay and rich visuals.
Multiplayer bingo – a complete suite of 90-, 75-, 80/60/40‑ and 30‑ball variants, featuring progressive jackpots, Pot Booster and real‑time chat hosting.
Turn‑key iGaming platform – advanced Player Account Management (PAM), certified RNG, gamification engine and a WYSIWYG game‑configuration tool that lets operators launch new games in minutes.
Random State expects its first Ontario go‑live in Q3 2025, delivering both eInstants and multiplayer bingo on day one.
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