Recent gambling policy changes in Canada have led to increased opportunities to legally bet on sports and gamble online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Released today, Gambling Availability and Advertising in Canada: A Call to Action looks at the impacts of legal gambling in Canada since the approval of the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act in 2021. The report recommends developing a pan-Canadian strategy to address gambling-related harms. This is a new report by Greo Evidence Insights (Greo) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA).

This call to action is in response to the significant increase in gambling advertising on billboards, social media, at commercial breaks during sports broadcasts and during sporting events. Increased gambling availability and advertising are expected to contribute to increased gambling in Canada, thereby posing a significant risk of harms among the general population, particularly for youth, young adults and other vulnerable populations.

The report also describes how the increased availability of gambling and in gambling advertising are of great concern because:

• The types of gambling being made available and promoted (single-event sports betting and live or in-play betting) are associated with a greater risk of harm. For example, single-event sports betting increases gambling intensity and gives an illusion of control over the outcome as people believe their knowledge of the game gives them a competitive edge.
• The volume of gambling advertisements repeatedly pairing sports with betting normalizes gambling, leading people to think of betting as an integral part of being a sports fan.
• Increased availability of gambling and in gambling advertising are happening at a time when many people in Canada are more vulnerable to problematic gambling and gambling-related harms because of the lingering health impacts of COVID-19 and a rise in the cost of living.

“Over the last few years, we have witnessed some of the most significant changes in gambling policy since the 1970s,” explained Dr. Matthew Young, Chief Research Officer at Greo, Senior Research Associate at the CCSA and Adjunct Professor at Carleton University. “We have seen a massive increase in gambling advertising and opportunities to gamble. We can no longer watch sports with our kids or go online without being subjected to an overwhelming amount of gambling advertising. Canada is at a critical moment in how it manages gambling. A national strategy or framework — similar to what we have for alcohol, tobacco and cannabis — is critical to manage the expected increased in gambling harm, especially among youth and other vulnerable people.”

The report recommends developing a national strategy that will:

• Develop national standards governing the promotion and availability of gambling;
• Manage conflicts of interest among gambling stakeholders;
• Address inadequate funding for gambling harm prevention and reduction initiatives and research;
• Monitor systematic changes in gambling-related harm, including any assessments of the social and economic costs of gambling; and
• Increase awareness of gambling-related harms among health and social service professionals and the public.

“Increased gambling among people living in Canada will undoubtebly result in increased harms and therefore increased societal costs. These include healthcare costs, criminal-justice costs, child welfare costs, increased unemployment and lost productivity costs because of gambling-related suicide,” says Dr. Pam Kent, Director of Research and Emerging Trends at CCSA. “We need to think about our approach and ensure that it considers not only short-term government revenue and economic activity but also the longer-term societal costs. That’s why we need a national strategy.”

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Today, NASCAR, America’s most popular motorsport, has officially entered the Fortnite ecosystem – announcing its debut with a one-of-a-kind, high-octane racing experience built in Rocket Racing.

Developed in partnership with award-winning UK metaverse studio, Karta, the experience launches with a Chicago Street Course map, styled on the real NASCAR Chicago Street Race taking place this Sunday 7th July, merging the thrill of NASCAR racing with the dynamic creativity of the Fortnite ecosystem.

With the first Chicago Street Map, players navigate multiple routes, master the art of speed, drift and avoid obstacles in intense multiplayer races or solo time trials.

Debuting ahead of the real-life Chicago Street Race, NASCAR’s official launch on Fortnite brings its second annual event in the center of one of the world’s greatest cities, into the Fortnite world. The map gives NASCAR fans, and players of all levels who may have never interacted with the sport, the chance to get closer to the real event than ever before – setting it apart from typical Rocket Racing maps.

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With this fun experience aimed at gamers of all levels, NASCAR’s move into the Fortnite ecosystem isn’t just a one-time event while the Chicago race takes place. NASCAR is setting its sights on a permanent fixture on the platform, with the Chicago map marking the start of a long-term racing experience for players to continuously visit. Looking ahead at the NASCAR calendar, fans of America’s No. 1 form of motorsports and the Fortnite community can get excited, as NASCAR eyes wider plans to add more virtual recreations on the platform.

“NASCAR has always been about pushing boundaries and connecting with fans in exciting ways,” said Nick Rend, Managing Director of Esports & Gaming at NASCAR. “Fortnite provides the perfect platform to engage a global audience, blending the intensity of NASCAR racing with the immersive world of Fortnite. Karta, with their incredible creativity, attention to detail and innovative approach, were the perfect partners to help us bring this vision to life. We wanted to build something with longevity for both diehard NASCAR enthusiasts and the wider Fortnite community and we think we have succeeded with just that.”

Erik Londré, CEO of Karta, added, “Working with an icon of motorsports like NASCAR  has been a dream come true. Our goal was to capture the essence of NASCAR racing – the speed, the strategy, the adrenaline – and inject it with a dose of Fortnite fun. The result is something truly special – a high-octane, visually stunning racing experience that we know players will love.”

Karta is an award-winning metaverse studio renowned for creating engaging virtual gaming experiences for global brands. Karta has established itself as a leader in creating accessible and impactful brand experiences within the metaverse across gaming, music and esports.

Since its inception in July 2021, Karta has collaborated with a diverse range of global brands, including Nicki Minaj, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Amazon Music, McDonald’s, Spotify, and Hugo Boss, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving landscape of metaverse entertainment.

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The announcement of the SBC Summit Americas has garnered widespread support from industry leaders. The reimagined event aims to increase connectivity across North, Central, and South America, forming a single, cohesive platform for the gaming industry throughout the region.

Set to take place in Fort Lauderdale on May 13-15, 2025, the summit is poised to offer broader networking opportunities and drive forward collaboration within the industry.

Peruvian operator Apuesta Total shared their excitement about the location. “I always enjoy a change of scenery, and Fort Lauderdale is a fantastic choice. Many people like to turn conferences into extended weekends, so I’m certain attendees will appreciate the city’s beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere,” said company CEO Gonzalo Perez.

Relationship marketing hub Optimove’s VP of Revenue, Motti Colman, shared his thoughts on the potential of the new-look event. “With 8,000 attendees expected, this event is off to an excellent start. I am also keen on exploring new market insights through market-by-market conference sessions, so I am confident this is a great platform for expanded opportunities.”

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Better Collective, a leading affiliate powerhouse and a frequent presence at SBC events, not only attending but also contributing as exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers, expressed their confidence in SBC’s potential with this revamped event.

“At Better Collective, we look very much forward to the SBC Summit America 2025 in Fort Lauderdale. With years of proven expertise in event organization, SBC enables unparalleled networking opportunities under one roof, reinforcing our connections and partnerships within the industry,” said Marc Frank Pedersen, company CEO for North America.

He added: “Having worked with SBC for many years, we trust in SBC’s commitment to deliver events that not only meet but exceed our expectations.”

Joseph Martin, CEO of Kinectify, a company specializing in anti-money laundering and compliance software, who has previously exhibited at SBC Summit North America, backed the decision, expressing confidence in SBC’s industry-centric ethos.

“SBC always puts on great events. They have deep connections within our industry and prioritize the right elements to optimize our experience. I’m excited about this new show covering both North and South America. Gaming companies operating in multiple markets across the two continents now have a single event focused on the entire Americas region. I look forward to another outstanding SBC event experience in Fort Lauderdale.”

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FanDuel CEO, Amy Howe, commented on the growth that SBC Summit North America had previously achieved under SBC’s leadership. “The SBC North American Summit has become a mark the calendar industry event each spring. The conference seems to grow each year and brings together an impressive array regulators, legislators, operators and technologists that help power the industry’s growth.”

The CEO also confirmed that the “company is delighted to participate in the conference each year and looks forward to 2025 in Florida.”

Marina Bogard, Managing Director for North America at Betsson, also emphasized that the event caters to companies with diverse geographic interests. “SBC’s decision to launch SBC Summit Americas and host the event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provides a convenient opportunity for businesses with diverse market strategies to connect with both North American and Latin American leads under one roof.”

Bogard underscored the significance of this unified approach, which allows Betsson to efficiently engage with partners across diverse regions. “As you know, Betsson is a global company, and both regions remain highly significant for our expansion strategies. It is great to be able to align our efforts and meet all our partners across the Americas without having to attend multiple conferences,” she said.

Colman remarked: “SBC clearly has foresight in creating SBC Summit Americas for 2025.” Just like Bogard, he also recognized the event’s appeal to companies serving multiple geos. “At Optimove, we have experienced incredible growth in North and South America that parallels the incredible growth of SBC in each region. This new, reimagined show underscores that iGaming has come of age in the Americas. Plus, it will greatly benefit iGaming operators and service providers with diverse market interests.”

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Perez echoed this sentiment. “We can all agree that the industry juggles numerous commitments, especially concerning conference participation. While attending expos around the world is rewarding, it also presents logistical and financial hurdles for companies. Therefore, I really embrace the idea of combining the strengths of the SBC Summit North America and Latinoamérica events to create a larger, more networking-rich experience,” he said.