Keynote Speaker
Françoise Mathieu, M. Ed., RP.
Secondary Traumatic Stress Specialist
Executive Director, TEND Academy Ltd.
AGLC’s Insight Responsible Gambling Symposium provides a platform to explore, examine and discuss topics related to responsible and problem gambling in the province. Each year, we bring together gaming industry partners and government and community stakeholders with the goal of expanding their perspectives and discovering solutions to reduce gambling related harms.
In 2024, the Insight Responsible Gambling Symposium will explore traditions and innovations in responsible gambling and focus on collaborative efforts between operators and the regulator and emerging trends in responsible gambling.
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Beverly Hills Ballroom
Fantasyland Hotel, West Edmonton Mall (Map)
17700 – 87 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
8:15 – 9 a.m. Registration and breakfast
Registration and breakfast.
9:05 – 9:10 a.m. Opening remarks
Angelle Sasseville
Vice President, Policy & Public Affairs
AGLC
9:10 – 10 a.m. Keynote Speaker
Dr. Michael Wohl, Professor, Department of Psychology, Carleton University
Advances in responsible gambling, brought to you by the letter C: Cooperation, collaboration and commitment to open science
Historically, the gambling industry and academia have often been at odds, with each side harboring concerns about the other’s motivations and impact. T his keynote addresses how these two worlds can bridge their differences to foster a collaborative environment for advancing research in responsible gambling. By focusing on evidence-based decision making, we will explore how to overcome historical tensions and build productive partnerships that benefit both fields. The session will showcase successful examples of collaboration between the gambling industry and academic researchers, emphasizing how integrating rigorous research methodologies with practical industry insights can lead to more effective strategies. Key topics will include strategies for mitigating concerns on both sides, aligning goals and ensuring that research remains unbiased and impactful.
10 – 10:45 a.m. Session #1
Ross Pambrun, Artificial Intelligence; Machine Learning; Innovation expert; Métis and Fire Captain
Integrating responsible A.I. solutions into forward thinking strategies. Tools and knowledge for stakeholders.
The presentation explores the multifaceted evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing values across various sectors. We begin with a historical overview, tracing the advancement in AI technology and its increasing integration into everyday life. Ross will address crucial and ethical considerations surrounding AI, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in its development.
10:45 - 11 a.m. Health break
A 15-minute break to promote well-being and productivity.
11 - 11:45 a.m. Session #2
Dan Keene, Vice President, Gaming, AGLC
Play Alberta, now and in the future
The latest in local and international iGaming news will be discussed. Topics like social responsibility and regulatory changes in the iGaming industry will be explored, along with the latest iGaming product trends and vendor game releases and play mechanics dominating the iGaming space today. We will touch on social influencers and social gaming in the iGaming space as well. Alberta’s online gaming platform, Play Alberta and it’s product roadmap, along with its enhanced social responsibility tools and functions will all be highlighted throughout this presentation.
11:45 - 11:55 a.m. Session #3
11:55 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. Session #4
Seamus Strutt, Manager, Gaming Programs, AGLC
AGLC Social Responsibility - program updates
12:05 – 12:55 p.m. Lunch
Enjoy lunch and socialize with fellow participants.
12:55 - 1:55 p.m. Session #5
Françoise Mathieu, M.Ed., RP. Executive Director, TEND
The Edge of Compassion – Understanding burnout and empathic strain
What is the sweet spot between caring too much and not caring at all? Repeated exposure to chronically difficult stories can strain our sense of empathy for others: We can become hardened and desensitized to suffering – or conversely, we can feel easily swallowed up by their pain. This erosion can be further magnified by limited resources, chronic exposure and “red tape”. Professionals who work in the field of problem gambling can learn how to protect themselves and their teams while remaining able to experience compassion for those who turn to them for support. The plenary address explores the tools required to develop exquisite empathy and the ability to rapidly return to a healthy baseline while working in the challenging field of problem gambling.
Participants will learn:
- Why it's time to stop using the term "compassion fatigue"
- Seven key factors that can increase the risk of empathic strain, burnout & secondary traumatic stress
- 10,000 Buddhist Monks: How to remain calm and fully engaged during a stressful event
1:55 – 2:45 p.m. Session #6
Ted Hartwell, Executive Director, Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
Lived Experience. How have the available gambling resources impacted gambling decisions
Ted Hartwell will share his personal story of the effects of being introduced to gambling at an early age and the eventual harmful impacts that his gambling behaviors had on himself, his family, his workplaces and beyond. He will also discuss his pathway to personal recovery and illuminate moments in his journey when knowledge or brief interventions might have led to earlier positive outcomes.
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. Health break
A 15-minute break to promote well-being and productivity.
3:05 – 3:50 p.m. Session #7
Chris Koch, Renowned Motivational Speaker
If I can...
The limitations we face in life are often the ones we place on ourselves. Chris Koch’s inspirational “If I Can” presentation is about making the most out of life, with a focus on appreciating what we have instead of worrying about what we don’t. Despite being born without arms and legs, Koch didn’t let limitations and obstacles stand in the way of achieving his goals and dreams. He still grew up working on his family farm and has spent his adult life snowboarding, running marathons and travelling independently. If a guy without arms and legs can do all this, he says, we are all capable of some amazing things.
Contact
For questions about the event, please contact us at responsible.gambling@aglc.ca.