“Say it ain’t so, Joe”
In light of the latest scandals, how the proliferation of gambling is damaging the magic of sports. Also, the Responsible Gambling Council schedules two webinars to highlight its new research project.
Some personal thoughts on the latest gambling scandals.
I am a passionate and lifelong sports fan and much less of a gambler. That probably explains the slight and lingering sadness I feel over the loss of innocence that accompanies more sports betting scandals – first in the NBA and now in the UFC (again).
Sports are compelling precisely because they are real, not movie magic; often dramatic, but unscripted; the human condition writ large, not CGI or AI.
In a challenging time when many of us need exactly that kind of real escapism – and rarely has there been a better example than the compelling World Series that just concluded — every betting scandal makes more of us question the integrity of the sports we are watching. Worse, it dulls the magic.
This has always been the danger that comes with the proliferation of sports betting. At what point do the betting scandals – and there will be many more – kill our love of the game and lead us to retreat into our shell of cynicism?
Not that I’m against gambling. Far from it. We live in a world of vices where the best advice is to govern yourself accordingly. Also, a regulated industry is certainly better than the illegal variety for a long list of reasons we’ve articulated many times.
And, while I’m proudly a little naïve, I’m not that naïve. Betting has existed as long as there have been sports. Also, whenever there is money to be made, a small percentage of the humans involved in any pursuit will always be corruptible.
So, I’m not some old-timer moaning that gambling is killing sports, but it sure as heck isn’t making them better, outside of occasionally making it a little more fun to have a few dollars on a game.
My fear is that making gambling mainstream and easily accessible in every pocket has the potential to increase the corruption and decrease the integrity, making sports less vital or, worse, unwatchable.
For all those who say the regulated market is the best way to expose such scandals, I question whether that’s true. Surely, this isn’t the case of there being the same number of betting scandals with better exposure of them. After all, these are the same people offering easily manipulated prop bets, often without reasonable caps. Are we suggesting they are truly sharp in one area of their operations, but not others?
These are also the same people decrying limits on prop bets by saying they are increasingly popular, especially in parlays that are all too lucrative for the operators. That smacks of money-over-integrity, a dangerous position that will decrease confidence in the bet and the game.
I’m not advocating for outright prohibition. It doesn’t work. Worse, it drives people to the illegal market where consumers are unprotected and governments reap no benefits.
What I am saying is the leagues need to do better and the regulated operators need to do better, starting with dropping the prop and micro-bet options that can be easily manipulated and capping some others to keep them fun and not worth manipulating. It appears the NBA is looking into doing just that, as it should. Other leagues need to follow.
In the meantime, all this partly explains why online casino revenue in Ontario (and most places) dwarfs the sports betting industry. At least that form of gambling has the appearance of being much more on the up-and-up despite the fact odds are greatly stacked toward the house.
And when you start thinking you might get more of a fair shake out of a slot machine than a sporting event, you have to wonder if the magic of sports is already long gone.
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RGC to deliver results of youth research project
While perusing the internets over the weekend, we came across this invitation from the Responsible Gambling Council to “an exclusive webinar revealing key insights from RGC’s comprehensive youth research project and how they’re transforming our approach to harm prevention”.
The insights come from a 2023-24 project focusing on youth and young adults. Dr. Jennifer Reynolds and Lisa Couperus will co-host webinars on Nov. 20 and 25 to dig into the results.
iGO CEO Joseph Hillier on the latest podcast
Our esteemed editor Steve McAllister scored quite a coup this week when he featured the new CEO of iGaming Ontario (iGO) on the Gaming News Canada Show (presented by Bede Gaming) just 50 days into Joseph Hillier’s term at the helm.
Hillier replaced founding iGO CEO Martha Otton in early September after 19 months as the chief strategy officer and corporate secretary at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
McAllister asked Hillier how he can parlay his experience at the AGCO — and before that, the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General — into success at iGO.
McAllister also asked Hillier about his first weeks in his new office and his priorities, including the implementation of improved technology (especially with regards to data collection and reporting mechanisms), a long-awaited centralized self-exclusion program and improved protocols around anti-money laundering.
You can listen to the podcast here or watch it here:
People on the Move
Retired Responsible Gambling Council head honcho Shelley White joins the Board of Directors at iGaming Ontario.
Konami Gaming went on a veritable Vice President promotion spree Monday, grant VP titles to Jeff George (customer support), Adriane McGrath (professional services), David Schwartz (UI/UX and database development), Eddie Sepich (embedded and interface development), Brian Alu (information technology), Jeanie Griese (human resources) and Noah VanWetten (supply chain, purchasing and manufacturing). New business cards for everyone!
Marco Bianchi is promoted to Chief Operation Officer at BC Ventures. Nestor Pecache also gets a promotion to Senior Graphic Designer as does Garet Nicholas to Community Coordinator.
Aaron Gould, the co-founder of OneComply which was acquired GeoComply in 2023, announced Monday he’s leaving GC as Vice President of Identity.
Michelle Scully walks away from Twitch as Global Head of Communications.
Former DraftKings senior director Adam Barrick is departing Dapper Labs as VP, Sports – Business Development to become Kalshi’s Head of Sports Partnerships.
Leslie Peters, who left GamesGlobal in September as the company’s Chief Technology Officer, is named Chief Technology & Product Officer at Sun International.
Saam Hafezi has a new title at Play’n GO: Head of Land-Based & Multi-Channel Gaming.
Ross O’Hanley is the new Chief Operating Officer at Marker Trax.
Pavilion Payments name Kassi Yellowitz as Vice President of Enterprise Sales.
Alana Zimmer is appointed Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Commission.
Ria Cleland takes her leave from Enthusiast Gaming to join the brand partnerships team at XDOTG.
Matthieu Leo comes on board at FanDuel Sports Network as an Account Executive.
Christian Hodges joins the partnerships team at CreateFuture.
Sandy Brondello is appointed the first head coach of the WNBA Toronto Tempo.
Debra Armstrong is leaving her CEO position at Skate Canada after a decade to become the new Chief Executive Officer for Gymnastics Canada. Michael Downey steps away as interim CEO.
Martin Richard is named Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sport Association.
Classified (Jobs) Information
On the Home Front
Entain has an opportunity in the city below Nobleton for a Brand Marketing Manager (Sportsbook & Casino), and is also looking to hire a Social Media Strategist and Producer.
HotTakes is in the market for a Junior Finance Analyst.
Blazesoft has an opening in Concord, just above the city below Aurora, for a Performance Marketing Manager (Mobile User Acquisition).
Toronto-based Blue Ant Media requires a Director, Legal & Business Affairs – Production.
The Ottawa Citizen/Sun has a journalism opportunity for a Hockey Reporter in the nation’s capital.
Your Toronto Blue Jays have already started working towards the 2026 season and are looking to acquire some Trey Yesavage-vintage additions to its baseball operations department.
Canada Soccer is hiring a Digital Marketing Manager.
Golf Canada is in the market for a Manager, Digital Content Strategy.
DoorDash requires an Associate Manager, Talent & Influencer Marketing.
South of the Border
Aristocrat has a whole lotta openings on its Engineering team.
FanDuel is looking for a Payments Senior Analyst in New York.
FlowPlay has an opportunity in Seattle for a QA Compliance Manager in iGaming.
In New York, Playtech is hiring a Customer Success Manager.
Frameplay is looking to bring on board a Client Partner.
Target is on the hunt for a Senior Marketing Manager, GMS, Sport & Partnerships.
JSA+Partners is seeking a
Senior Public Relations Manager – Gaming & Sports.The Associated Press is hiring a Global Sports Editor.
Yahoo Sports is looking for a Senior Manager, Audience Engagment.
Unrivaled Basketball has an opening for a League Data Analyst.
Red Bull has a Santa Monica-based posting for a Manager, Advertising.
There’s an opportunity for a Senior Director/Director, Corporate Partnership with the Buffalo Bills.
Across the Ponds
Finnish gaming company Veikkaus is on the lookout for a Head of Sports Trading.
FairPlay Sports Media has an opening in London for a Digital PR Executive.
GBG Plc is hiring a Business Development Director.
Betsson Group is seeking a Senior CRM Manager – Casino Retention.
Light & Wonder’s iGaming division has an opportunity for an Account Success Coordinator.
Pinnacle is searching for a Live Tennis Trader.
Kaizen Gaming has need of a Junior In-Play Trader and also has an opening for a Senior Product Designer, Gaming & Rewards.
The Newscastle United Football Club is looking for a Partnerships Development Manager.
Reading and Reflection
Mollie Walker of the New York Post had exclusive reporting Monday that NHLer Arthur Kaliyev, who signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators over the summer, owes his former girlfriend money from an alleged gambling problem.
Good reading from the keyboard of Mark Keast for Casino.org about the morons on social media going after the Blue Jays’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa after Game 7 of the World Series.
Last week was a toughie for Aubrey Graham. Not only were Blue Jays fans calling for the musical artist to stay away from Rogers Centre, but we was sued . . . not once, but twice.
Count Rush Street Interactive among the operators enjoying the online casino bump in Ontario’s regulated marketplace, according to its latest financial results.
And, it’s the same message coming from the owners of Betway, who mentioned Alberta on its latest earnings call.
The gaming experts within the legal team at Cassels provided their insights around the recent Code for Responsible Gaming Advertising released by the Canadian Gaming Association.
And, on a related note, BCLC boss Patrick Davis keyboarded an op-ed on LinkedIn expressing support for Sen. Marty Deacon’s bill to put together a national framework for sports betting advertising.
A corporation owned by Snuneymuxw First Nation is acquiring a couple of casinos from Great Canadian Entertainment.
David Hill has a fascinating read on InGame.com on the couple that was ahead of the curve on the future impact of prediction markets.
Speaking of PMs, another crypto company wants to enter the space.
The same Hill also did some keyboarding for Rolling Stone on the history of sports betting, and its changing landscape in a regulated space.
Michael Rosenberg and Pat Forde did the double-byline thing for Sports Illustrated on the anonymous fella in the middle of the NBA gambling mess.
Gaming industry vet Richard Schuetz did some keyboard tapping on the changing rules of engagement – much of it sparked by the Trump administration - in the business of gambling south of the border.
An op-ed on Psychology.com suggests young men have the loudest voices when it comes to protesting the surge in legal sports betting.
Researchers at Bowling Green State University took a look at online abuse of student-athletes by the idiots miffed at losing a wager or three.
SBC’s Tom Nightingale received confirmation last week that the World Poker Tour is launching its online sweepstakes poker site across our home and native land.
Google has weighed in on sweepstakes casinos operating in the U.S.
Canadian-owned The Curling Group is getting together with FanDuel Sports Network to broadcast Grand Slam of Curling events in the U.S. of A.
Some M&A activity to start the week as Sportradar completed its purchase of IMG Arena.
David Purdum has the latest on an NCAA investigation into betting on U.S. college basketball.
Caesars is playing the long game (for now) when it comes to prediction markets, its CEO said last week.
A(nother) effort is underway in New Jersey to ban in-play prop bets.
James Fudge of The Esports Advocate reported on the International Olympic Committee’s decision to back out of an esports agreement with the Saudi Arabian government.
UK operators continue to sound the alarm around possible tax hikes on gambling there.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Senate has given the green light to increase the tax rate to 50% from the current 30% rate on wagers.
Icelandic ilottery company Bwloto is granted supplier status by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
It’s no surprise that the Blue Jays’ magical fall run was good for the business that is Rogers Communications.
Finally, this social media post by the Carolina Panthers wasn’t a good look.
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