Canada
Video Gaming and Day Trading Speakers Available to chat with Media at BCLC’s New Horizons in Responsible Gambling

Video games and Esports – is it Gambling?
Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Director of Research at the International Gaming Institute at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
From social casino games to Esports to virtual reality and in-game payments, many familiar activities blend the two concepts of gambling and gaming.
Loot boxes, for instance: are they harmless video game fun, or offering gambling to minors? A worldwide regulatory debate is underway assessing the permissibility of video-game loot boxes; as recently as November, 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, which will look at the question of whether loot boxes constitute a form of gambling in this jurisdiction.
As part of the BCLC’s Ninth Annual New Horizons in Responsible Gambling Conference, Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Director of Research at the International Gaming Institute at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will look at the definition of gambling: there are so many examples in the gambling and gaming space where the idea of gambling is present – but is it truly gambling and if so/if not, does that matter to those who play, industry and regulators?
Dr. Abarbanel is available for media interviews leading up to and during New Horizons. Please let me know if you’d like to set up an interview with her.
The Rise of Pandemic Day Trading; Is a Tsunami of Day Trading Risk Ahead?
Dr. Sharon Collard, University of Bristol
The pandemic has had countless impacts on our daily lives and for some this change has translated into more time and money spent on “self-directed investing,” also known as day trading. Is there awareness of the level of financial risk involved in day trading, and the similarities between the addictive behaviours of problem gambling and those that can arise with excessive day-trading?
Trading and investment service providers, such as TD Ameritrade, have reported that “2020 brought an unprecedented influx of retail investors,” with record-setting numbers of new accounts created.
Other events, such as the January GameStop price volatility and the online trading platform Robinhood, as well as other short-squeeze campaigns, reveal an increased level of influence in online investor communities.
As part of the BCLC’s Ninth Annual New Horizons in Responsible Gambling Conference, Dr. Sharon Collard, Research Director at the Personal Finance Research Centre, University of Bristol, will examine the overlap between gambling and day trading, and impacts on individual-level financial risk at a session titled: Retail “Investing” – Is a Tsunami of Day Trading Risk Coming?
Dr. Collard is available for media interviews before and during the conference, please let me know if you’d like to set one up.
Canada
Segev LLP Celebrates 10 Years of Business-Focused Legal Innovation

Leading business, technology, finance, and gaming law firm, Segev LLP, is proud to announce its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Segev has evolved from a bold idea into a multi-jurisdictional firm serving clients across Canada, the U.S., and beyond.
Built for innovation-driven industries, the firm is widely recognized for its work with companies at the forefront of gaming, crypto, technology, and emerging sectors. “Our 10-year anniversary is a defining moment,” said Founding Partner, Ron Segev. “It’s a testament to the strength of our team and our culture of teamwork, self-improvement, and growth – all of which is directed at scoring wins for our great clients.”
As industries like fintech, crypto, iGaming, and AI have matured, so has the firm, often in parallel with its clients. “We’ve all grown together with our clients from one success to the next, whether it be helping clients complete financings or helping them close business,” said Managing Partner Alon Segev. “I look forward to continued growth for us and our clients in the next 10 years!”
The firm’s client-first approach has consistently earned recognition from top legal ranking guides. Segev LLP is ranked by Chambers and Partners as a “Leading Firm” and “Band-1” in Canada for Gaming Law and are also recommended by The Legal 500 and Lexology. These rankings reflect the team’s ability to deliver strategic, high-quality legal solutions that align with their clients’ business goals.
Recognized for their unique ability to exceed expectations and deliver out-of-the-box solutions, Segev LLP’s clients have affirmed: “The firm demonstrates its capability not only to understand complex matters, but also to offer solutions that are practical, pragmatic, and value-adding.”
“Segev possesses outstanding resources and maintains global partnerships, enabling it to deliver precise and informed responses to any queries related to the iGaming industry.”
“Epic service, very good, I won the case!”
“Great service, friendly atmosphere, and support.”
Several Segev team members also reflected on the milestone: “There was a moment early in my time here when I realized I wasn’t just being brought in to help; I was expected to contribute, take initiative, and run with big ideas. That stuck with me,” said Negin Alavi.
“Together with our clients, [Segev] has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade. I’m honored to have contributed to this journey and to celebrate these shared successes,” said David McHugh.
“Segev has cultivated a thriving law practice on the principle that challenges are to be embraced as opportunities. The approach has enabled us to grow as lawyers, but more importantly, it has enabled us to ensure the success of our clients,” said Mark Balestra.
“Since joining through Segev’s Ontario expansion, I’ve had the chance to work alongside some of the sharpest and most collaborative lawyers in the gaming space,” added Manav Bhargava. “As a full-service firm and industry leader, Segev stands out for its ability to support innovative businesses with practical, forward-thinking legal advice.”
Segev LLP will commemorate the anniversary with a series of internal and external initiatives throughout the remainder of the year.
Canada
INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES ONTARIO GAMING LICENSE

Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded an Ontario Gaming License by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), effective today. This achievement enables the company to offer its portfolio of real-money games to licensed operators and players across the province.
The license underscores the Incentive Games’ commitment to meeting the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational excellence. The rigorous application process demands robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures and affirms the company’s readiness to enter one of Canada’s most dynamic iGaming markets.
The North American market is a strategic focus for Incentive Games, and this milestone follows closely on the heels of the company receiving its Provisional Michigan gaming licence from the Michigan Gaming Control Board earlier this month.
Incentive Games will distribute its real-money gaming content in Ontario through Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, ensuring a focused and tailored approach to the market.
“Ontario represents a huge opportunity for us, and securing this license is a proud moment for the whole team,” said John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer at Incentive Games. “It reinforces our dedication to meeting the highest standards while delivering compelling real-money content. We’re looking forward to building strong relationships in the region and continuing our momentum across regulated markets worldwide.”
Canada
AGLC Announces New Board Chair

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has announced the appointment of Larry Spagnolo as the new Board Chair, effective August 15, 2025. This announcement follows the official Order in Council issued by the Alberta Government and marks a new chapter in AGLC’s ongoing commitment to support communities, encourage responsible choices and position Alberta as the best place to do business.
Larry brings a wealth of experience in technology and business leadership to the AGLC Board and will play an integral role in guiding AGLC’s strategic direction. He is currently serving as VP and GM of Emerson’s SaaS SCADA business and has held senior roles at Zedi and Telus, driving innovation, growth, and global success.
A strong advocate for education and community, Larry serves as Vice Chair of Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and has held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community contributions.
AGLC and the Board of Directors extend their heartfelt thanks to Len Rhodes for his leadership and dedication as Board Chair since August 2019. He decided not to seek a third term and will continue to serve in this role until August 14, 2025. Len led AGLC through some significant milestones, including reducing red tape by 51%, growth of the emerging cannabis industry and ensuring AGLC delivered a balanced approach to business development, social responsibility, and regulatory oversight.
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