Canada
Canadian Gaming Summit Puts the Spotlight on SIGA’s Business Model and Commitment to the Community
Patricia Cook, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, and Desiree Gervais, Vice President of Human Resources, of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), will discuss SIGA’s introduction to the digital gaming market and pioneering approach to regulatory agreements and revenue-sharing models, during an exclusive Keynote Fireside Chat at the 26th edition of the Canadian Gaming Summit.
The “First Nations partnerships: the SIGA model in action” keynote panel, will be an instrumental addition to the Leadership & Growth conference track, during the second core day (Thursday June 15th) of Canada’s premier gaming and betting event, which takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Officially established as a non profit organization in 1995, SIGA has flourished for over 25 years , establishing a casino empire that encompasses seven land-based casinos whilst implementing an innovative revenue sharing model which reinvests 100% of net income back into the Saskatchewan community. In November 2022, SIGA launched with provincial partners, the first online gambling and sports betting website PlayNow.com for Saskatchewan.
During the exclusive keynote session, Cook and Gervais will discuss the avenues taken that have established SIGA as such an influential force in Canada. During the talk, discussions will be centered around how SIGA was able to perfect the Gaming Framework Agreement to legally run the first digital gaming enterprise in the province. Additionally, the keynote will cover the innovative financial model that has increased the company’s growth, whilst simultaneously establishing SIGA as a highly respected pillar of the Saskatchewan community. Moreover, the panel will explore how these models can be implemented by other First Nations in their respective provinces .
With an illustrious and influential 20 year career in human resources, Desiree Gervais has an unparalleled wealth of experience and knowledge within the HR sector, having honed her expertise working with the First Nation government as well as highly regulated environments in the energy and mining sectors. In February of 2022 Gervais took the role of Vice President of Human Resources at SIGA and has continued her conscientious and diligent approach to HR, helping expand the scope of the SIGA brand whilst continuously strengthening the relationship with the wider community.
Patricia Cook has been Vice President, Corporate Affairs at SIGA for the past 18 years and has an active role in overseeing areas of communications, media relations, public relations as well as the SIGA’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programs. Cook’s 19 years working for Prince Albert Grand Council prior to SIGA have equipped her with an experience and skill set that has helped establish SIGA as one of the most prominent brands in the Canadian space and continues to do so as they continue their journey into the digital realm.
With such an in-depth wealth of knowledge surrounding the Saskatchewan province, non profit organizations and the wider gaming industry, Gervais and Cook offer a unique and unparalleled insight to how to implement successful revenue sharing models that support local communities, whilst spurring company growth and adhering to regulatory frameworks. With many looking to SIGA’s model as the future of iGaming and sports betting in Canada, the keynote panel’s thought provoking and trailblazing discussion will be essential viewing for the event.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “We are extremely excited to have the combined talents of Desiree Gervais and Patricia Cook at our keynote panel. It is important as an industry we constantly evolve and I hope to see a business model that prioritizes giving back to the community and dedicating resources to innovation and leadership, is one that will inspire other Canadian organizations.
Attendees will have the opportunity to partake in a plethora of panel discussions across the three day event, with dedicated conference tracks ‘Land-Based’, ‘iGaming’, ‘Sports Betting’, ‘Affiliates & Advertising’ amongst others.
Canada
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor.
On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.
In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.
As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.
Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.
A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.
International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (hereinafter “IGT”), signed an eight-year agreement with Atlantic Lottery to supply its IntelligenEVO video lottery central system technology across Atlantic Canada. The agreement includes the option for multiple extensions and positions the Atlantic Lottery to become the first World Lottery Association (WLA)-affiliated lottery operator to deploy IGT’s next-generation central management system in a game-to-system (G2S) distributed market.
“By leveraging IGT’s IntelligenEVO technology, Atlantic Lottery will power its video lottery network with the industry’s best-in-class central system and position itself to maximize future contributions to good causes. As an organization that prioritizes system security and exceptional player experiences, Atlantic Lottery believes that IGT’s IntelliegnEVO solution will help generate high player satisfaction and optimal network performance,” said Michael MacKinnon, Atlantic Lottery VP, Product.
“As a long-time supplier to Atlantic Lottery, IGT looks forward to helping the Lottery achieve its growth and player engagement goals with our leading-edge IntelligenEVO video lottery central system. IGT’s IntelligenEVO is a scalable technology for the WLA market that is backed by decades of experience and operator feedback, and maximizes the benefits of real-time data, cloud-based technologies and in-depth analytics,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA and LATAM, Gaming Sales.
With peak system security, network availability and responsible gaming functionalities, IntelligenEVO is a reliable, scalable solution that can meet the needs of today and in the future. The solution will accelerate time-to-market and enables the Atlantic Lottery to benefit from the system’s suite of player-focused functionality. The technology’s G2S and open API design optimizes data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customize their program for evolving player needs.
NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
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