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.

Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with a significant gaming division, has named industry veteran Lee Terfloth as chief interactive gaming officer as it pushes ahead with ambitious plans for its digital offering.

Terfloth has an impeccable track record across some of the biggest land-based and online gaming operators in North America, including Borgata, Resorts Digital, Hard Rock and, most recently, Prime Sports, where he was chief executive officer.

As chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, Terfloth will be responsible for two core objectives: Expanding the operator’s Betly mobile sportsbook and casino brand into additional iGaming states while also reviewing its sportsbook business to improve operational efficiency.

The appointment of Terfloth comes hot on the heels of news that Delaware North has chosen to migrate to Playtech’s powerful online sportsbook and casino platform in the states of Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Jason Gregorec, president of Delaware North’s gaming division, said:

“Lee Terfloth is a high-caliber senior iGaming executive who has played a key role in launching and growing interactive gaming divisions at some of the most established and renowned gambling operators in North America.

“We are delighted to be able to leverage this experience and knowledge as we ramp up our own online gaming division via our Betly brand, which has already gained traction in key online sports betting and iGaming states such as Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.

“I’d like to officially welcome Lee to the team and look forward to working with him as we deploy our ambitious plans for online gaming across regulated U.S. states,” Gregorec said.

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Lee Terfloth, chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, added: “I’m thrilled to join Delaware North at a pivotal time for the business as it shifts up a gear with its activity in the online gaming space.

“Betly is an incredibly strong brand and now that we are migrating to the Playtech platform, we have the technological foundation to really level up our activity in terms of markets and the quality of the experience we offer to players.

“I have plenty of experience working with operators at this stage in their lifecycle and look forward to working with the incredible team we have in place to not only meet but exceed the goals the business has set for its interactive division,” Terfloth said.

The digital age has unlocked a wealth of possibilities for Human Resources (HR), transforming traditional workflows into dynamic, global opportunities. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced computer technologies are no longer just enablers, they have become the go-to tools in transforming recruitment and workplace management while adhering to the creative potential of industries like marketing.

For multi-channel marketing firms like ClickOut Media, renowned for crafting stories that connect people and brands, the question is no longer if these tools can be transformative but rather how they can be used efficiently to spark innovation, enhance collaboration, and expand the global reach of their campaigns.

AI in HR
AI has revolutionised the ‘first steps’ in recruitment, from applicant sourcing to CV screening, face-to-face interviews, and beyond. Using AI tools to carry out these processes has created a more streamlined workflow, resulting in diverse and inclusive teams. For creative industries such as digital marketing, this diversity brings invaluable perspectives from various individuals that can enrich campaigns and strategies.

ClickOut Media thrives on team collaboration, and when AI is paired with the company’s ethos of encouraging charismatic and connected teams, the result is not just to foster efficiency but to invite synergy, too. It is the blend of streamlined workflow and human insight that enhances the personalisation that is critical to their storytelling success.

This raises the question: could AI increase workplace efficiency while improving human relationships and marketing campaigns?

Reaching across borders
With a global outlook and a commitment to bespoke solutions, ClickOut Media demonstrates how AI tools can enhance creativity and teamwork beyond borders. Video platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams have redefined collaboration, allowing firms to transcend geographical barriers and build partnerships across time zones.

In addition to facilitating seamless communication, AI-powered notetakers and transcription tools add another layer of efficiency to remote teamwork. By streamlining workflows and reducing manual tasks, AI not only enhances collaboration but also drives productivity across global teams.

By championing the power of AI and digital tools, ClickOut Media’s commitment has enabled the company to build and sustain a robust, fully remote workforce featuring account managers, technical leads, and marketing leads.

As a digital marketing agency that is deeply rooted in data and technology, the company has consistently excelled in its field. With years of experience and unwavering aid provided at every step—regardless of whether employees are working in an office environment—this level of support would not be possible without the use of AI.

Moreover, ClickOut Media doesn’t stop using technology to optimise workflow, it leverages these tools to embrace multicultural perspectives, ensuring campaigns resonate with diverse audiences. By integrating AI into HR practices, the company is expanding its reach while redefining global engagement and creativity standards.

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Finding the perfect balance
The real challenge of AI lies not in its adoption but in its integration, navigating a way for companies to harness digitalisation tools without losing the human essence that drives personal connections and evokes out-of-the-box media strategies.

At ClickOut Media, the answer lies in finding the perfect balance. By using AI for menial tasks, like scheduling interviews or managing leave requests, HR teams can focus on what truly matters – building authentic team relationships and cultivating an environment where imagination thrives.

This approach doesn’t replace human interaction, it amplifies it and enables a company to maintain its collaborative spirit while embracing innovation, creating a workplace where employees feel connected and valued and clients experience campaigns that resonate well.

Is AI the future?
As AI reshapes the workplace, the focus shifts to the possibilities unlocked by deliberate and thoughtful tool integration. ClickOut Media is paving the way for a future where technology and humanity coexist seamlessly, and AI is steadfastly being used to empower creativity and inspire new ideas across the globe.

The future isn’t about how to adopt technology, it is about mastering its potential to transform challenges into opportunities, and ideas into impact.

So, in this new era, the choice is clear – adapt, innovate, and evolve, or risk being left behind in the wake of those who do.