As we turn our attention to the year ahead, the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) would first like to applaud the role that Canadian gaming companies play on the global stage as leaders in innovation, product development and online gambling.

Companies like Amaya and Intertain continue to dominate in markets all over the world and technology conferences in New York, London and Boston feature them alongside NYX Gaming and Innova Gaming. Canadian gaming companies are hot – a trend that we think will endure for years to come.

With 2016 on the horizon we wanted to highlight some of the research, advocacy, and engagement activities that will keep us occupied:

  • The 2015 Opinions of Community Leaders Study is the first examination undertaken by the CGA of the perceptions of civic and community leaders who agreed to have casinos developed in their municipalities. The purpose of the Study, completed in autumn 2015, is to provide an unequivocal examination of the impact of land-based casinos in communities across Canada and it will be released in the New Year.
  • Ongoing awareness building and advocacy work to press lawmakers to deal with the need for regulation for single-event sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). The CGA obtained a legal opinion stating that DFS are games of mixed skill and chance and therefore subject to regulation under the Criminal Code, and it will also support efforts to reintroduce legislation to deal with the lack of regulation for single-event sports.
  • The annual Canadian Gaming Summit will be held at the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau and Ottawa Convention Centre from June 13-15, 2016 and we will try hard to beat having Butch Carter on hand to talk about sports betting!
  • Changes are coming to the 2016 Summit based on feedback from participants which noted a need for more time and flexibility for delegates to attend educational sessions, networking events and pavilions on the trade floor, as well as increased opportunities for exhibitors to interact with customers. Next year’s Summit will also emphasize enhanced information and education content.
  • Lastly, the CGA will conduct a national assessment early in the New Year to determine the educational requirements of the industry, with the goal of creating continuing education modules that can be accessed across multiple platforms. The CGA intends to report back on and launch this initiative at the Summit in June.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you throughout the year – first up is the Community Gaming Conference in January!