As VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Blake will build on his previous successes with the NHL. His employee learning programs helped unify the organization and usher beneficial behavioral changes even among the senior executive team. Blake joins IGT at a pivotal moment for the company as it continues to pursue expansion through high-profile partnerships.

Blake’s Resume Makes Him Perfect for the Position

IGT’s new VP of DEI started his professional journey as a career management consultant for JP Morgan Chase. His ten years with the company were a solid foundation for his future career growth, honing his learning and coaching skills. Blake used the experience to found his own training and coaching company Achieve Peak Performance, providing services across various industries.

Between 2013 and 2019, Blake occupied senior leadership positions across several high-profile organizations, building HR capabilities, ushering organizational transformation, and bolstering cultural strategy development. His most recent job with the NHL was a pivotal step in his career, allowing him to apply all his accumulated knowledge to advise NHL Clubs on recruitment, culture, and diversity-minded growth strategies.

The Developer Continues to Excel across the USA

IGT congratulated Blake on his addition to the management team, lauding his inclusion teaching experience across the entire corporate ladder. The new VP of DEI should substantially bolster the company’s professional development, advancing organizational goals through building consensus and understanding. Adding such a seasoned professional to the management team matches the developer’s commitment to progressiveness.

IGT is committed to… fostering a diverse culture of respect and inclusion. We have no doubt that Brian will continue to build upon (our) solid foundation and achievements…

IGT official statement

Blake joins IGT in a fluid and dynamic period. The company recorded stable 2022 financial results, posting a 3% year-on-year revenue increase to $4.2 billion. The lottery solution supplier generated good cash flow while promoting future growth. IGT’s momentum has remained strong in 2023, thanks to several new milestone agreements.

The company made significant advancements across North America. A deal with BetSkybox allowed IGT to expand its Ohio footprint, distributing its self-servicing kiosks at restaurants and bars across the state to provide them with retail sports betting. The agreement opened the way for future cooperation and additional expansion opportunities.

IGT has continued to seize new growth avenues, distributing its award-winning content with other industry-leading companies like Ruby Seven Studios and BetMGM. As the developer’s influence across the US grows, maintaining internal cohesion and unity becomes even more vital. Onboarding a professional like Blake is a natural progression toward IGT’s ongoing ambitions to preserve its winning streak.

Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), the independent peak body for Australian-licensed wagering service providers, has announced a major new appointment. The organization said that it will welcome the experienced Kai Cantwell as its new chief executive officer.

Cantwell will join the company on April 17, 2023, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Cantwell has distinguished himself as a skillful leader in service delivery and policy development in both the public and private sectors. He has led large and diverse teams through major transformations without losing the public’s trust.

In addition to his experience in senior leadership roles, Cantwell is familiar with Australian law and regulations. He has previously served the cloud tech specialist Oracle in the capacity of its senior public sector adviser.

His earlier experience, moreover, includes more than ten years in the federal government. This included a tenure as the NSW/ACT State Manager in the Commonwealth Department of Social Services.

Cantwell has additional experience in social policy and service delivery, having served as the chief of staff of federal ministers. He was also instrumental in the coordination, development and implementation of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling.

Cantwell joins RWA as Australia continues to scrutinize and debate the future of gambling regulation and sustainability.

Cantwell Is Looking Forward to Leading RWA

Nick Minchin AO, chair of Responsible Wagering Australia, welcomed Cantwell on board, praising the new appointee’s leadership excellence. Minchin said that the new CEO has all the skills required to lead the body, which is why he is trusted by the organization’s members.

His deep understanding of social policy, sports, wagering and Government position him perfectly to lead RWA and its members as we continue to promote socially responsible wagering and advocate for the highest standards in the sector.

Nick Minchin, chair, RWA

Cantwell also shared his sentiments on joining RWA, saying that he is honored to be able to join its team. He said that he is looking forward to leading the company and driving further understanding of problem gambling.

I am honored to have the opportunity to work with RWA members, sporting and racing bodies, and governments of all levels to ensure we continue to get the balance right between protections, regulation and freedoms.

Kai Cantwell, to-be-CEO, RWA

RWA is one of the main promoters of responsible gambling and increased industry standards in Australia. Its members support 32,000 jobs across the country, paying almost AUD 2 billion in annual taxes and contributing as much as AUD 6 billion to the local economy.

In other news, the Northern Territory Racing Commission recently criticized BetStop, a new self-exclusion scheme in Australia, for its questionable efficiency.

Global gaming content and technology company Aristocrat Gaming, announced a new deal with the fast-growing provider of content, technology, services and hardware for the regulated betting, gaming and lottery industry, Inspired Entertainment. Under the terms of the new partnership announced Friday, Aristocrat confirmed it will deliver virtual sports experiences from Inspired for the National Football League (NFL).

The delivery of the new virtual sports experiences is facilitated via Aristocrat’s multi-year licensing agreement with the League. Thanks to the collaboration, new NFL-themed virtual sports simulations will enable sports fans and bettors alike to engage in “head-to-head in fast-paced, ultra-realistic simulated matchups.”

The new simulations will offer the users options just like a standard sportsbook such as over/under, money line bets and more. To further strengthen the engagement with the NFL, the virtual sports simulations will feature different NFL-themed images including all 32 team logos, the famous NFL shield, the Super Bowl, AFC and NFC Conference logos.

The Deal Brings Excitement to Inspired, Aristocrat

Brooks Pierce, Inspired’s president and CEO, explained that the company is delighted to join forces with Aristocrat and the NFL. He pointed out that the collaboration will deliver unique experiences for NFL fans even during the off-season. Finally, Pierce said that the company is looking forward to seeing the partnership lift off and engage with millions of NFL fans.

“We are delighted to work with the NFL and Aristocrat Gaming on this historic new simulated gaming experience to bring fans a unique way to connect with the game, even in the off-season.“

Brooks Pierce, president and CEO of Inspired Entertainment

Hector Fernandez, Aristocrat Gaming’s CEO, shared similar excitement about the latest announcement. He pointed out that Inspired will help connect NFL fans and deliver engaging entertainment. Finally, he noted: “As part of our overall NFL strategy, we are thrilled to tap into the global appeal the NFL offers to current and new fans and casino, sports betting, and lottery players.”

“Through Inspired, this NFL license expansion into virtual sports presents a ground-breaking entertainment option that’s never been done before.“

Hector Fernandez, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming

Earlier this month, Aristocrat’s Anaxi announced a new partnership with Caesars. The terms of the collaboration saw Caesars Sportsbook & Casino elevate the experience for its customers. At the time, Aristocrat confirmed that Caesars will benefit from leading online gaming experiences provided by Anaxi.

The Netherlands will proceed with its plans to restrict gambling advertising. The harsh measure was announced by Frank Weerwind last summer, with the minister planning to ban the first set of ads on January 1, 2023. However, the ban was eventually delayed because of public consultations regarding the law.

Now, Weerwind has announced that the ban on untargeted gambling ads should happen by July 1. As a result, the other planned bans will also be delayed. Thus, TV program sponsorships should be banned from July 1, 2024, with sports sponsorships to follow on July 1, 2025.

Weerwind added that if the ban on untargeted ads is further delayed, the other two bans will also be postponed accordingly. This will provide operators, TV companies and sports teams with enough time to prepare.

Weerwind made his statement as a response to questions from other parliamentary members. However, the minister added that he is against the idea of suspending an operator’s license after two violations have been identified.

Weerwind Opposes the Two-Strikes-You’re-Out Model

The Netherlands, known for its strict gambling regulations, is bullish on protecting the youth from being bombarded with gambling content. A survey from a year ago proved that young adults are exposed to tons of ads, while minors still encounter promotions on TV and radio.

In the wake of such concerns, Dutch lawmakers proposed restricting gambling ads and temporarily suspending the license of big-time offenders. Under the proposed two-strikes-you’re-out model, the Netherlands will be able to temporarily suspend operators if they commit two or more offenses and promote to young people.

However, Weerwind said that the rules should be enforced proportionally. In addition, the minister noted that the local regulator should be able to correct its licensees’ mistakes once they have been identified.

Weerwind noted that conversation often leads to compliance. He said that the regulator is also able to impose periodic penalty payments when necessary and, if a violator still fails to comply, further fines can be imposed.

Weerwind added that the Kansspelautoriteit can also prevent payment providers from accepting payments from incompliant companies – a measure that he believes is much better than a two-strikes-you’re-out model.

Overregulation Allegedly Does More Harm than Good

While the Netherlands continues to be keen on regulating the online gaming market, some have suggested that overregulation might have adverse effects.

In a recent letter to the Dutch House of Representatives, affiliate companies claimed that certain bans encourage customers to play with illegal operators. Since offshore companies rarely offer the same safeguards that their licensed counterparts do, channeling players toward the black market can be very dangerous, the letter said.

The affiliates asked the government to rethink its stance on certain sports betting markets that are currently prohibited in the country.

A few years have passed since the US Supreme Court deemed PASPA unconstitutional, allowing states to legalize sports betting under their own rules. Since 2018, when PASPA was struck down, many states have legalized and introduced sports wagering, creating a new stream of tax revenue and establishing competitive markets that also protect the consumers.

While many US states, by now more than 30, have legalized and introduced some form of sports wagering, efforts in Texas are still ongoing. Legislative efforts via HJR 102 and House Bill 142 (HB 142) seek to legalize the activity. Ultimately, it would be up to the voters to give the green light and if the proposals gain further traction. Given this happens, an amendment to the constitution will be up for a vote by Texas residents in November.

Now, the Texas House State Affairs Committee recently held a hearing on the topic. Supporters and opponents of the gambling expansion spoke on Wednesday, each presenting their positions. Aside from the hearing on HB 142 and HJR 102, the proposals are yet to be voted on by the Committee before gaining further traction.

Legalization of Sports Wagering Expected to Bring Benefits

The Sports Betting Alliance, represented by Scott Ward, is one of the organizations supporting the legalization of sports wagering. Ward noted that there is a continuously growing sports betting market in Texas that operates illegally.

He confirmed that sports betting operators are prepared to offer regulated sports betting that is safe for consumers. Ward noted that the industry is aware that there is a significant “demand for illegal sports betting in Texas,” but at the same time, he acknowledged that there is also a strong demand for safe and legal sports betting activities in the state.

“It’s being done in the shadows, with bookies and offshore accounts, with no regulation, no protections for privacy or data, no monitoring, and certainly no recourse for anyone to be held accountable if something goes awry with a placed bet in the state of Texas.“

Rep. Jeff Leach

Rep. Jeff Leach, the sponsor of HB 142, also acknowledged the importance of a legal sports betting market. He flagged that the activity is already available and happening in Texas, and has been, in the last decade, but via illegal outlets. Leach warned that illegal sports betting poses a risk for the players and this doesn’t apply to their money only, considering that participating in illegal betting is deemed as a criminal activity.

According to him, the illegal activity poses a significant threat to the users as it is lacking data, monitoring or privacy protection. However, Leach said that this can change thanks to the new proposal that gives a chance for the lawmakers to “implement smart, safe and efficient oversight over the sports wagering industry and activities” in Texas. Last but not least, he predicted that with the right set of rules, a sports betting bill can deliver benefits for the consumers and raise revenue for the state.