Forget the Battle of Alberta. Things will pop off Tdot-style next week, with competing gaming summits in Toronto on the calendar — just two months after the Ontario gambling market went live.
The dueling events — Canadian Gaming Summit (CGS) (June 7-9) and the SiGMA Americas Summit (June 6-9) —ensure many of the industry’s best and brightest will be on hand for the festivities. Regardless of which event has your attention, there’s a heck of a lot worth checking out.
Here’s what’s on our radar at PlayCanada.
2022 Canadian Gaming Summit returns
After moving online in 2021, the Canadian gaming industry’s OG conference returns to an in-person event. And things finally kick off next Tuesday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
This year’s theme, Canada — A World of New Opportunities, is expected to attract interest from far beyond Canadian borders. This is particularly true for those intrigued by the Ontario online gambling experiment (and how it’s going so far).
A strong educational component provides the backbone to CGS’s stacked schedule. Sessions on the Canadian opportunity, advertising and inducements, Bitcoin, responsible gambling and women-in-gaming technology are stand-out offerings. The many chances to network throughout the week in and around events and award ceremonies are also worth noting.
It’s a safe bet that the fireside chat with BetMGM’s Adam Greenblatt and theScore Bet’s John Levy will offer up some golden nuggets. There’s even a Summit golf tournament, but there aren’t any tickets left.
2022 SiGMA Americas in Canada
Originally scheduled for July, SiGMA shifted the dates of its first Canadian summit to coincide with CGS. While initially confusing, there’s no question that overlapping events mean even more folks will be rubbing elbows in the 6ix next week.
Those in town for SiGMA will gather at Enercare Centre, part of Exhibition Place’s Agricultural Annex. Unsurprisingly, the Americas Summit’s packed schedule covers many of the topics on the docket at CGS. But, due to the SiGMA audience, the agenda has a more international flavour.
In addition to the nightly dinners and celebratory awards gala, one highlight is the SiGMA Startup Pitch contest. The contest winner will receive up to $500k in prizes and business support.
Other events worth noting are the sports betting and affiliate marketing tracts scheduled on June 7. Likewise, the laws and regulations sessions happening the next day are jammed with dynamic speakers. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
On June 9, SiGMA forgoes a traditional conference track and offers special events instead. Once such an event provides attendees VIP access to the Canadian Open. Or, for an additional fee, you can join revelers on a Niagara Falls and Vineyard tour.
PlayCanada in Toronto all week
Stick around for our continued coverage of the Canadian gambling scene. PlayCanada will be on the ground in Toronto all next week, covering the stories.
