Advertise on podcast: Gaming News Canada Show

Between trips to Las Vegas for the BSA/AML Gaming Conference and this week’s Global Gaming Expo, Derek Ramm made his return to the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming. Ramm, the Global Head of Advisory Services for Kinectify and a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Gaming Association, has been a leading voice for an overhaul of anti-money laundering rules and regulations in the Canadian gambling industry with a special focus on online gaming. He spoke with host Steve McAllister about recent monetary penaltieslevied by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) against the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and New Brunswick Gaming Corporation. Ramm sits on an AML working group in the CGA and spoke about the conversations the association has had with the federal government. We also asked the Kinectify exec why AML programs have yet to be put in place by gaming regulators in both Ontario and Alberta, and why he believes revised AML measures matter so much. Finally, he spoke about what he and his colleagues at Kinectify are seeing with the data being collected around the industry these days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, mkdodo Commercial  Director Will Whitehead spoke with host Steve McAllister on the UK company’s continued expansion into North America – including Alberta – introduction of new products and other topics.   Whitehead, who joined mkodo as an account executive in 2013 and has been in the commercial director’s role for almost five years, talked about the retirement of Stuart Godfree this summer and the lessons learned from the company’s co-founder and long-time managing director. The conversation with McAllister included the introduction of mkodo’s GeoLocs product into Alberta over the summer and its presence in the Ontario market that includes collaborating with Bede Gaming to support OLG’s igaming business.   There’s also a segment on mkodo’s adoption of new tools, including Fraud Shieldand the challenges and opportunities around the demand for products beyond geolocation in today’s regulated gaming industry. Whitehead also addressed mkodo’s expansion strategy for the North American regulated market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, Jonah Sigel rejoined Steve McAllister for a wide-ranging discussion on the business of sports, sports media and sports betting.   Sigel, a Toronto Star contributor and the host of the Bleav In The Pressrow podcast, gave McAllister his thoughts on the Sportsnet/NHL partnership and the tweaks that were made over the summer to talent at Hockey Night in Canada. He was also asked about the contract status of popular Toronto Raptors voice Jack Armstrong, which appears to be related to the new ownership structure of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.   Five years after Sportsnet hired Cabral (Cabbie) Richards as executive producer of sports betting content – a move that didn’t pan out - Sigel and McAllister debated the integration of sports betting into sports media including the relationship between FanDuel and TSN, why the networks haven’t leaned into a second-screen experience that’s betting focused, and Sigel’s opinion on that information being provided around game broadcasts.   Finally, the host and his guest talked about the current state of sports media and journalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, Harley Redlick makes his return for a conversation with host Steve McAllister.   These days the Executive Director of the Canadian Addiction Recovery Association, Redlick explained the services provided by CARA – including its partnership with Connex Ontario - and the work he’s been doing since joining the organization in the spring.   Redlick also spoke about recent media coverage of youth gambling in Ontario, Massachusetts, the Netherlands and Sweden along with new(ish) programs by the Responsible Gambling Council to educate high-school students about the potential dangers of gambling. That led to a discussion about advertising and the use of athletes by sportsbook and online gaming operators in Ontario, where the Alcohol and Gambling Commission changed regulations around that use in 2024 and the lessons learned from four-plus years of regulated gambling in the province with Alberta’s regulated market approaching its two-month anniversary this weekend.   Finally, McAllister asked Redlick about the Osgoode Certificate in Gambling Law program he launched with lawyer and gaming industry veteran Don Bourgeois. The program will be offered again this fall with registration currently taking place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, investigative journalist/author Rob Csernyik joined host Steve McAllister.   Csernyik’s book A Losing Hand: The Human Cost of Canada’s Gambling Epidemic was released earlier this summer and is the result of his reporting on the economic and social consequences of gambling – and researching gambling-related suicides after being awarded a Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Investigative Reporting in 2022. The Nova Scotia native also recently tweaked a section of his book for a an op-ed piece in The Globe and Mail on gambling among Canadian youth.   McAllister asked Csernyik what motivated his work on gambling and his investigation into the links between gambling and suicide across Canada. The book also includes telling the history of gambling in this country and the role of governments in legalizing sports betting, casino gaming, lottery and online gaming.   Csernyik also spoke about the final chapter of the book - A Path Forward - which includes a call for “provincial and national stakeholders (to) create solutions to limit the human costs of gambling”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, host Steve McAllister took a virtual trip down under to speak with Waterhouse VC’s Chief Investment Officer, Tom Waterhouse.   Waterhouse, whose family has been involved in the business of betting for more than a century, spoke about his own personal path through the industry and what led him down the road from a 20-year-old bookmaker in 2003 to delivering value for investors through the gambling industry and authoring the regular Waterhouse VC Update on NEXT.io.   Among the topics discussed was the current state of the global economy and its impact on the sports betting and gaming industry, the shifting sands of regulated gambling jurisdictions, the role of artificial intelligence within the industry, and Waterhouse’s take on Ontario and Alberta’s regulated markets. And oh yeah, we asked Waterhouse to weigh in prediction markets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show hosted by Bede Gaming, host Steve McAllister welcomed back the Global Gaming Director for GBG Plc, Rebekah Jackson.   Jackson spoke with McAllister about GBG’s involvement in the launch of the new regulated gambling market in Alberta, including a conversation she had with AGLC Chief Regulatory Officer Dave Berry back in May at the SBC Summit Canada. GBG also has some early numbers on the work it’s doing in the western Canada province. GBG, which has also been a very active participant in Ontario’s regulated marketplace, is also lending a hand to operators preparing for launches in Finland’s incoming regulated sports betting and online gaming industry, and other countries.   Also discussed was GBG’s latest products, including Loquate, and the company’s work in other sectors around the world. And, not surprisingly, that segment included much talk about the use of artificial intelligence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the latest episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, host Steve McAllister caught up with Paul Burns. The Canadian Gaming Association president and CEO was in Calgary to meet with representatives from Gibraltar – including the country’s finance minister – who were in Alberta last week for a trade mission.   Burns spoke with McAllister about the one-month-old, regulated sports betting and online gaming market in the western Canada province, and the feedback he’s received on the process leading to the July 13 launch. The arrival last week of Bally Bet gives the new regulated jurisdiction some 26 websites and Burns expects more operators will join the market before Labour Day weekend.   McAllister also asked Burns about the CGA’s position on prediction markets as companies such as Wealthsimple are making their case to do business in Canada with oversight from provincial securities regulators and no interference by gambling regulators.   Layoffs at Better Collective and Catena Media last week are the latest to take place in a year that’s seen job cuts across the industry, so we asked Burns for his thoughts. The CGA’s head honcho also looked ahead to a busy fall when the association will release a series of white papers on the industry and is also watching bills being debated on Parliament Hill around sports betting advertising and amending the Criminal Code and Indian Act with regards to gambling. Burns said the association is also continuing to advocate for changes to the rules and regulations around anti-money laundering in our home and native land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geoff Zochodne (Covers) and Tom Nightingale (Canadian Gaming Business/SBC Americas) were Steve McAllister’s guests for a wide-ranging discussion on what’s happening in the business of gambling.    The topics du jour included:   Thoughts and layers from the three members of the fourth estate on the opening of regulated sports betting and iGaming in Alberta last month, and what’s to come in Canada’s second regulated gaming marketplace.The panel did some spitballing around potential suitors for AGLC-owned PlayAlberta.The ongoing Ontario market which recently welcomed DAZN Bet and Hard Rock Bet and continues with 48 operators and 82 websites in a regulated landscape that is frequently praised in other jurisdictions.The fast-moving prediction markets issue in the U.S. and what may come to our home and native land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, host Steve McAllister welcomed GeoComply CEO Kip Levin. Levin joined the Vancouver-based company in March 2025 after spending the past decade in C-suite roles at Flutter Entertainment and its FanDuel and FOXBet businesses. So, McAllister asked Levin to share his thoughts from his experiences in the gambling industry on several topics including: The challenges to keep up with online fraudsters and scammers, especially with the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence.The opportunities being provided by AI and other new technologies.GeoComply’s supporting role in the launch of new regulated gambling jurisdictions, including most recently in Alberta.The popularity with the betting populace around the recently completed men’s World Cup of Soccer.The evolution of GeoComply some 15 years after being founded by Anna Sainsbury and David Briggs.What does the road ahead look like for the gambling industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the fourth day of Alberta’s new regulated sports betting and online gaming market, Steve McAllister welcomed back to the Gaming News Canada Show the Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta iGaming Corporation, Dan Keene.   Keene talked about the busy countdown to the July 13 market opening and 18 operators being ready to make available to Alberta some 22 websites on Day One.    Among the topics also discussed:   The collaboration involving all stakeholders to get Canada’s second regulated marketplace up and running.How the western Canada province has benefited from the four-year-old Ontario model.The keen interest of operators, suppliers and providers to participate in Alberta and the timing for more operators to come on board.AiGC’s focus on proactively communicating its mandate and its commitment to social responsibility.The corp’s relationship with AGLC.When you can expect to see metrics from the new market.  McAllister also asked Keene for his reaction to the concerns already being written and talked about advertising and problem gambling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the eve of the opening of Alberta’s regulated sports betting and igaming market, the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming was joined by a couple of gaming industry veterans who are plugged into the opening of Canada’s second regulated, competitive gambling jurisdiction.   GNCS regular and Canadian Gaming Association Senior VP of Policy & Communication Amanda Brewer spoke about the feedback she has received from CGA members and others in the gambling business during the countdown to opening day in Alberta. Brewer also referred to the lessons learned from four-plus years of regulated online gaming in Ontario and had an interesting response to a question from host Steve McAllister about the potential differences between the presence of the provincial gaming and lottery corporations in the two provinces.   We also asked Brewer about the ongoing presence of fake online casino ads on Meta platforms.   McAllister then welcomed Rich Taylor, the Director of Responsible Gaming at BetMGM. Taylor, a retired Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, told his story of serving his country and then finding his way into the gambling industry.   Taylor spoke about the reaction from BetMGM customers to the most recent responsible gambling ad campaign featuring NHL superstar Connor McDavid and Newfoundland hockey legend Terry Ryan and if the Edmonton Oilers captain will appear in future RG-focused commercials – which are allowed by both the AGCO and AGLC in its rules and regulations around advertising and marketing.   That led to a conversation on BetMGM’s responsible gaming efforts which include its partnership with BCLC’s GameSense platform. Taylor, the author of an op-ed last week that appeared on various Canadian media websites, also talked about the multi-dimensional approach taken by BetMGM to support safe play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron GlynWilliams, the Vice President of Safer Gambling for OLG – and the Chair of the Canadian Responsible Gambling Association – joins host Steve McAllister on a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming.   GlynWilliams, who’s played a leadership role in OLG’s responsible gambling initiatives for more than a decade, talked about the need for all stakeholders in the gaming industry to be on the same page when it comes to safer gambling during a panel discussion at last month’s SBC Summit Canada. McAllister revisited his guest’s comments and asked GlynWilliams for his reaction to the lottery corporation’s June 1 announcement about new measures targeting online gaming customers under the age of 25.   The OLG veep also spoke about his tenure as chair of the CRGA coinciding with the legalization of single-event betting across Canada, the impact on Ontario’s competitive sports betting and igaming market on OLG’s RG programs, the conversations happening between lottery and gaming corporations across the country these days, and the Corp’s existing partnerships around safer gambling.    GlynWilliams also provided his thoughts on iGaming Ontario’s launch of BetGuard, and about the incoming regulated gambling market in Alberta.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, host Steve McAllister welcomed Dwain Powell, the Online Director, Sports Betting for Goldrush Gaming – the owners of the BetNova brand.   BetNova entered the highly-competitive Ontario sports betting and igaming market this spring, so McAllister asked Powell about both the challenges and opportunities that have come from being latecomers to the province’s regulated industry. Powell also addressed Goldrush’s relationship with both the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario when setting up shop in Canada’s largest province.   Goldrush is one of the 45-plus operators which have registered to do business in Alberta when the proverbial puck drops on its regulated gambling marketplace next month. Powell answered our questions on Goldrush’s road to Alberta so far and addressed the advertising and marketing strategy for BetNova, what makes the brand unique competing against established operators in Canada, and about responsible gaming.   Powell told the story of his early days in the gambling business as a casino tables supervisor, moving into the online space, the legal gaming landscape in South Africa, and, of course, the World Cup of Soccer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a new episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, host Steve McAllister was joined by Responsible Gambling Council VP of Strategy and Programs Elaine McDougall and Lisa Couperus, the council’s Director of Education and Programs.   Couperus and McDougall spoke with your usually humble host about the early takeaways from the RGC’s Beyond the Game campaign, launched late last year to educate Grade 11 and 12 student-athletes and coaches in Ontario secondary schools about the risks of gambling. There was an additional discussion on the ongoing need for education for everyone involved in children’s lives around online gaming and also the federal government’s introduction last week of the Safe Social Media Act to limit kids’ exposure to social media.   We also spent time talking about panel discussions and other conversations that took place around responsible gaming initiatives during last month’s SBC Summit Canada, and the increasing access to data and research focused on gambling harm.   McDougall also teased an RGC announcement that’s expected to come this week that’s aligned with the attention around the men’s World Cup of Soccer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.