This month, the Canadian Gaming Association revealed that it has assigned new members to its Board of Directors. The first one is Scott Woodgate who is Vice-President of BetMGM Canada and Kurt Gissane who serves as Senior Vice President of Sales for North America for Aristocrat Gaming. Their appointments were announced at CGA’s Annual General Meeting.
CGA is the national trade association that represents operators and suppliers in Canada’s gaming, sports betting, eSports, and lottery sectors. These include land-based and online gaming operators, and providers of sports betting, games, and tech. Its purpose is to promote the evolution of the legal and responsible gaming industry via cooperation, education, and advocacy.
Welcoming the New Members
Mr. Woodgate from BetMGM Canada boasts a rich career, as before joining the operator he served as a content and production executive for the global streaming service DAZN. Before that, the Vancouver native had several leadership and production roles at Rogers Sportsnet and CTV News, contributing to the editorial, production, and strategy sectors.
Meanwhile, Aristocrat Gaming’s Mr. Gissane oversees tribal gaming, Class III, Class II, CD, ATLS, VLT/VGT, GACOAM, and new markets. He is a gambling veteran with over 23 years of experience in the sector, as he has worked in Australia, Asia, and North America, touting extensive knowledge which allows him to bolster Aristocrat’s presence across North America.
Ilkim Hincer, Chair of the Board thanked the two new officials for accepting the positions and believes that with their rich experience, they will have important roles in supporting the growth and sustainability of the local gambling industry. It was also reported that Richard Taylor, President of Niagara Casinos, was appointed for a second three-year term.
Paul Burns, President and CEO of the CGA also welcomed Mr. Woodgate and Mr. Gissane to the Board. He expects that their expertise will provide tremendous value as the association continues to drive its strategic mandate to advance the advancement of a regulated and responsible industry. As they would add the right voices, experiences, and geographical representation.
Ontario and the Case of Prevailing iGaming Ads
Currently, Ontario’s regulated market for online gambling and sports betting is a major talking point in the country’s industry. A while back the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario banned the use of celebrities and sports stars in betting ads, and operators have called for clarity on the new standards. Companies want more clarification on what is considered a celebrity or a retired professional athlete.
On the topic of gambling advertising, Mr. Burns previously said that the sector is seeking clarity on how to comply with the new rules after the ban. He shared that the association has also joined the dialogue and from what he has heard it has been a good process. In his words, everyone agrees with the premise that advertising should not be influencing youth.
Source: “CGA Announces Election of New Board Members” Canadian Gaming Association, December 18, 2023
