Alberta needs academic research to establish problem gambling baseline before launching online sector
A lack of current Canadian-based gambling research makes it difficult to be proactive on the problem gambling issue.
Welcome to another edition of unsolicited advice for Alberta before it launches online gambling in early 2026. Today, we focus on the need for proper academic study of the sector, particularly in the area of problem gambling.
One of the problems in Ontario is the lack of an academic baseline for the level of problem gambling prior to regulation.
It’s important to not only establish that problem gambling baseline, but also keep studying the industry consistently after launch to know if those statistics are increasing or decreasing. Only then can we truly know how to properly allocate problem and responsible gambling resources and better address concerning statistics before they worsen.
We are encouraged that Alberta is planning to have a centralized self-exclusion program prior to launch — unlike Ontario, which is still scrambling to institute such a system. But, since a stated goal of Alberta regulating the sector is to better protect its citizens — a goal the province shares with Ontario — the academic research also needs to be in place to monitor the problem gambling component properly.
A lack of that research in Ontario is particularly noticeable when the mainstream media does problem gambling stories and frequently lacks the expertise or thorough research to know the difference between statistics gathered before online gambling launched in the province in April of 2022 and numbers collected after legalization. After all, there is a massive difference between the two.
Where Ontario did get it right is by hiring Deloitte to measure the economic contribution of the sector — jobs, contribution to GDP, etc. — from the start.
Sadly, the province does not appear to have done the same when it comes to problem gambling statistics. Good, current, academic research on the gambling industry in Ontario either isn’t being done or has been difficult to find.
Likely, such research needs government funding.
The good news is Alberta has its very own Alberta Gambling Research Institute operating at the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge. While the institute has done a number of problem gambling studies, it does not appear one has been done specifically looking at the incidence of problem gambling in Alberta — at least not recently.
This would be a great time for the government to fund such a study, keep the research in-province and consistently publish the results for ultimate taxpayer transparency.
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Speaking of Alberta, we did….
Alberta was a prominent theme on the most recent Gaming News Canada Show podcast featuring host Steve McAllister talking shop with your humble newsletter scribe and talented journalists Robyn McNeil of Bonus.com and Geoff Zochodne, the senior news analyst at Covers.
You can listen to the show here via your preferred podcast app here or watch it here:
Beyond Alberta, a wide range of topics were covered, including the three-year anniversary of the Ontario launch, the departure of Martha Otton as the head of iGaming Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (AGCO) ‘cone of silence’ approach to regulating, a CBS Sunday Morning report on problem gambling and much more.
AGCO approach to deterring match-fixing
Tom Nightingale had a good piece in Canadian Gaming Business recently on a match-fixing conference in Gatineau, QC that included the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Nightingale quoted the AGCO’s director of operational planning, priorities and performance, Doug Hood, as saying, “Our philosophy was that we wanted as many information flows as we could get. We stole a good idea from a number of American jurisdictions in that we require all of our operators to sign contracts with independent integrity monitors.”
Those firms include the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) and Sportradar.
“When it comes to reporting,” Nightingale wrote. “Ontario is a unique case study, given that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has an Investigation and Support Bureau directly embedded within the AGCO. When AGCO gets intelligence around sports betting, it goes to both regulators and law enforcement.”
Canadian Gaming Association CEO Paul Burns said, “Cooperation is really key [to reducing match-fixing]. Having open conversations with a regulator that has created a very robust regulatory regime in Ontario that far exceeds what’s required … The regime is working, and they’re doing their job.”
Playnetic granted Ontario supplier licence
In a press release at the beginning of the week, global B2B iGaming content provider Playnetic has announced it has secured it first entry into the Canadian market following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application with the AGCO.
Playnetic said it, “is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months” and is positioning itself to also, hopefully, operate in Alberta when that market opens.
People on the Move
Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Elaine Wynn, the former co-founder of Wynn Resorts and Mirage Resorts, who passed away April 15.
Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited removes the “Acting” from Chief Executive Officer Tolek Strukoff’s business card.
Greg Shulman, formerly the VP of Casino Marketing at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, is appointed Executive VP, International Marketing at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Michael Daly, the former CEO at Catena Media, is named Chief Operating Officer at Marker Trax.
Paul Hunt leaves Genius Sports as Sports Business Director to become the new Managing Director at Stream AMG.
XST Capital Group LLC introduces longtime gaming industry executive Kent Young as its first Senior Advisor.
Red Knot Communications founder Andy Clerkson is named Chairman at UK gaming product design and company firm The Unit.
Ivan Gojic departs Superbet to become the Chief Sportsbook Officer at Croatia-based Entain CEE.
Jacob Hargaden-Llewellin, who’s done Country Manager stints with LeoVegas Group, Soft2Bet and ComeOn Group, joins Paramount Commerce as a Senior Account Manager.
Brittany Hendrych bids adieu to Loyalist Public Affairs to join FanDuel as Communications Senior Associate.
Masha Tsnompilantze has a new business card at SBC Events: Head of Content Marketing & Strategic Communications.
Lara Toscani Weems departs Elevate as Senior VP, Global Communications to join LIV Golf as Senior VP, Media Relations.
From the world of hockey agencies, Kurt Overhardt-led KO Sports is getting together with Wasserman.
Classified (Jobs) Information
Wanted by Caesars Entertainment: a Vice President, Digital Analytics – Corporate.
BetMGM is hiring in New Jersey a Director, Risk and Payments Ops.
The Toronto-based Responsible Gambling Council is in the market for a. . . .er. . . . Marketing Manager.
FanDuel also has an opening in the city below Tottenham, for a Growth Marketing Associate.
And Pinnacle is hiring a Senior . NET Developer in the Ontario capital.
Bet99 has a remote opportunity for a Back End Developer, and is also seeking to hire a Bilingual Account Manager, VIP Potential.
The first of three Hiring Events at the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa takes place April 22.
Niagara Casinos is on the lookout for a Compensation & Benefits Manager.
Fanatics Canada is on the hunt for a Senior Planner, Senior Buyer and Associate Buyer.
Wanted by Hard Rock Digital: a Staff Product Designer – Sportsbook, and a Trading Performance Director.
NBCUniversal has an opening for a Manager, Sports Betting & Gaming at its Stamford, Conn., HQ.
Continent8 Technologies has a cornucopia of employment opportunities.
LeoVegas Group is on a seek-and-employ mission for a UK Sports Director.
FanDuel is hiring a Digital Media Manager for its New York offices.
Push Gaming has an opportunity for a Senior Game Developer to be based out of the UK, Poland or Spain.
Entain is hiring a Sports Risk Analyst at its Sofia, Bulgaria, location.
SharpStakes is advertising an Ontario-based remote opening for a Full Stack Engineer, and a Sales & Marketing Associate.
Wanted at ALT Sports Data: a Partner Marketing Coordinator – Affiliate.
Virginia-based BV Marketing Agency is looking for a Digital Marketing Generalist with a focus on sports wagering.
Wanted by Toronto-based theTradeDesk: a Senior Data Partnerships Manager.
MLB’s Baltimore Orioles have a job posting for a Vice President, Brand & Content.
Fenway Sports Management is in the market for a Director, Strategy & Portfolio Operations.
EssenceMediacom is hiring a Director of Media Planning.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency has an opportunity for an Anti-Doping Program Manager.
It seems the San Jose Sharks aren’t only rebuilding the on-ice roster, as the NHL club has several off-ice job openings.
Cycling Canada is seeking a Communications Manager.
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