Charitable Gaming Conference 2025

Ontario’s Charitable Gaming Conference was held on Wednesday, October 29th and Thursday, October 30th, 2025, at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre, Toronto, Ontario. Jointly hosted by the Commercial Gaming Association Ontario (CGAO) and the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA), this event focused on the charitable gaming sector in Ontario and brought together commercial operators, charities, government partners, and gaming suppliers.

Thank you to our 2025 event sponsors.

PLATINUM SPONSOR

AGENDA

Wednesday, October 29th

8:45AM - 10:15AM

Breakfast

International Foyer

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Presidents and Coordinators Meeting (Restricted to Invitees Only)

International A

Compliance and Risk Assessment (Restricted to CGAO Members Only)

International B

As the sector evolves, so do the requirements for a positive and robust ‘Compliance Environment’ for cGaming. Attend to hear the challenges and opportunities to ensure the upward trajectory of our sector.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Moderator: Don Bourgeois, CGAO Policy Advisor

Panelists:

Sukvinder Singh, Consultant

Diane Gartshore, Strategy & Development Advisor, CGAO

Valerie Braun, Director of Relationship Management, cGaming, OLG

Kelli Harriman, Senior Manager Regulatory Controls, cGaming, OLG

Compliance Team Members, CGAO

Panel: Charity Engagement In-Centre and Beyond

International A

Charity engagement doesn’t stop at the gaming centres. Extend your impact beyond the walls with cheque presentations, social media storytelling, and community events. These tools help deepen your impact, build goodwill, and keep the community engaged.

Moderator: Nichi Aikins, Field Coordinator, OCGA

Panelists:

Christina Nupponen, Charity Coordinator, Charitable Gaming Association of Sudbury & Charitable Gaming Association of Valley East (Val Caron)

Ashlyn Ransome, Charity Coordinator, Superior Shores Gaming Association

John Imrie, President, Barrie Bingo Sponsors Association

Compliance and Risk Assessment (Restricted to CGAO Members Only continued)

International B

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Coffee Break

COFFEE BREAK SPONSORS

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Allocation Based Approach: Bringing Down Barriers to Adding Charities

International A

With over 2,500 charities participating in cGaming across Ontario, finding the right balance of funding to meet the needs of local charities is more critical than ever. This session will explore how municipalities and local charity associations can collaborate to ensure they are maximizing community impact.

Moderator: Melanie Barkman, Policy Manager, OCGA

Presenters:

Dave Fraser, Senior Director, cGaming, Gaming Division, OLG

Nancy Haven, Manager of Licensing Services, Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Patricia Gaston, Charity Coordinator, Delta Monte Carlo Gaming Sponsors Association (Niagara Falls)

Compliance and Risk Assessment (Restricted to CGAO Members Only continued)

International B

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Lunch

RECEPTION & DINNER SPONSOR

LUNCH SPONSORS

1:00PM - 1:15 PM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

International C

Speakers:

Peter McMahon, CEO, Commercial Gaming Association of Ontario

Richard Schwar, Executive Director, Ontario Charitable Gaming Association

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Keynote Address

International C

The leisure and entertainment industry continues to face challenges and opportunities to grow. Digital brands are shifting audience preferences, leading traditional venues like theatres, amusement parks and cruise lines to adapt or risk obsolescence. These challenges also present growth opportunities. Our increasing comfort with data and technology offers new avenues for engagement – including the hyper-personalization of content and experiences. This session will explore how some of the market leaders are differentiating their customer offerings, and how this could shape the future of Charitable Gaming.

Speakers:

Peter Law, EY Partner, Consulting (Vancouver)

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Know Your Clicks: Building Digital Awareness in the Age of AI

International C

Today’s digital tools offer more than just data—they offer insight. This session will explore how to harness both analytics and emerging AI tools to better understand your audience, spot what’s working, and refine your approach. From engagement patterns to platform performance, we’ll look at simple ways to apply digital learnings that can strengthen your marketing efforts and increase impact.

Speaker:

Michael Halbmeier, Director, Digital Strategy, Branderos/Clear Digital

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Canadian Legal & Policy Landscape

International B

The legal and policy landscape impacting cGaming is constantly shifting, as new technologies, political changes, customer behaviours, business paradigms, court decisions and other influences alter the context in which operators must run their businesses. This session provides an opportunity to hear the latest news, trends and factors that need to be considered as operators seek to stay current and compliant with changes and plan for the future.

Moderator: Peter McMahon, CEO, CGAO

Speaker:

Peter Czegledy, Partner, Aird & Berlis, LLP

Coffee Break

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Charity Impact

International C

Charitable gaming isn't just about raising funds—it's about fueling impact. Across Ontario, thousands of local charities and non-profits use cGaming revenues to deliver essential services, support vulnerable populations, and enhance community well-being.

Speaker:

Richard Schwar, Executive Director, OCGA

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM

PlaySmart - Impact & Development

International A

Player Health continues to evolve as more knowledge emerges. Join us to hear how we, within cGaming, are bringing an evidence-based focus and attention to this area and deploying strategies delivered via the award-winning PlaySmart Program.

Speakers:

Lorelle Muller Lumsden, Vice President, PlaySmart Centre, Responsible Gaming Council

Tyjondah Kerr, Program Delivery and Development, OLG

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

AGCO's Charitable Gaming Review

International B

The AGCO is undertaking a review of Ontario’s charitable gaming framework, with a focus on charitable gaming activities licensed under section 207.1(b) of the Criminal Code. The objective of the review is to explore how the framework can be modernized to support sustainability and innovation in Ontario’s charitable gaming sector.

Celebrating 20 Years of cGaming

Speakers:

Ben Valido, A/Chief Strategy Officer, AGCO

Adam Morello, Senior Manager, Strategic Policy, Corporate Affairs, Strategic Policy and Planning Division, AGCO

International C

Reception & Dinner

Speakers:

The Hon. Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

The Hon. Michael A. Tibollo, Associate Attorney General

Thursday, October 30th

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast

International C

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

CEO Remarks

International C

Speakers:

Duncan Hannay, President & Chief Executive Officer, OLG

Joseph Hillier, President & CEO, iGaming Ontario

Sarah McCarthy, CEO, Responsible Gaming Council
Karin Schnarr, CEO & Registrar, AGCO

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Sector Partnerships

International C

The success of charitable gaming hinges on strong partnerships across sectors. Join sector leaders as they share best practices, innovative approaches, and examples of partnerships that promote transparency, trust, and shared success.

Moderator: Peter McMahon, CEO, CGAO

Panelists:

Michael Magli, Product Portfolio, Charitable Gaming, Land-Based Gaming & Business Development, OLG

Shawn Fisher, Chief Operating Officer, Delta Bingo Inc.

Karl Rempel, Senior Manager, Technology Regulation & Compliance, AGCO

Maria Stanciu, Senior Manager, Strategic Policy, iGaming Ontario

Richard Schwar, Executive Director, OCGA

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Coffee Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Policy Development in Delivery of Operational Performance

International C

Hear why the formation of good policy that meets the needs of the sector can drive operational performance most constructively and efficiently.

Moderators:

Peter McMahon, CEO, CGAO

Panelists:

Ben Valido, DA/Chief Strategy Officer, AGCO

Michelle Eaton, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, OLG

Richard Schwar, Executive Director, OCGA

Maria Stanciu, Senior Manager, Strategic Policy, iGaming Ontario

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Lunch

LUNCH SPONSOR

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Understanding Communities Through Data: Insights for Ontario’s Charitable Gaming Sector

International C

How can data bring your community into focus? In this session, Environics Analytics reveals how population trends, mobility patterns, and charitable giving insights are shaping participation in community-based gaming across Ontario. Learn how demographic shifts, post-election travel behaviour, and evolving audience mindsets intersect—and how understanding these dynamics can help strengthen engagement, connection, and impact in your local market.

Speakers:

Tyler Baird, Account Management, Environics Analytics

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Collaboration: Key to Success

International B

The continued success of Charitable Gaming in Ontario is dependent on strong partnerships across the sector. This panel unites stakeholders from across the industry to explore how collaboration, open communication, and shared goals lead to stronger outcomes for communities. Join us for a dynamic discussion on what effective partnerships looks like, how to navigate challenges, and how collective effort continues to shape the future of Charitable Gaming.

Moderator: Nichi Aikins, Field Coordinator, OCGA

Panelists:

Melanie Barkman, Policy Manager, OCGA

Heather Masters, Senior Commercial Contract Manager, OLG

Tonya Chu, Legislative & Special Projects Officer, City of Richmond Hill

One Player: One View

International C

The OLG is undertaking work to get insights on the ‘Player of the Future’ and how this information/data can assist, and bring the insights, to cGaming, and what, as venue leaders, you need to know, and should be aware of, to make informed decisions for your ‘Player Outreach’ strategies.

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Moderator: Peter McMahon, CEO, CGAO

Panelists:

Dave Fraser, Senior Director, cGaming, OLG

Valerie Braun, Director of Relationship Management, cGaming, OLG

Cesar Zea, Senior Manager Customer Research & Insights, OLG

Closing Remarks

International C

Speakers:

Richard Schwar, Executive Director, OCGA

Peter McMahon, CEO, CGAO

GOLD SPONSORS