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
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
Canada
Be #GiftSmart: Scratch the Idea of Gifting Scratch & Win Tickets to Kids
BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.
“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”
While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.
“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”
In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.
“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:
- Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
- Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
- Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.
Canada
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
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