Casino Reviews
Casino News
SBC Summit Barcelona Features Leon Thomas Exploring Players' Welfare

SBC Summit Barcelona Features Leon Thomas Exploring Players' Welfare

Posted on: Sep 12, 2023. Last Updated on: Sep 12, 2023.

Author: Lidia Moore Expertise: US Gaming, European Gaming Industry, iGaming

LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:

Industry Veteran to Discuss Player Protection

This live episode of the show, scheduled for Thursday, September 21st, will be part of the 'Player Protection Symposium' track and will be moderated by the show's regular host, Martin Lycka, Senior Vice President of American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain.

Launched in collaboration with SBC in April 2021, the 'Safe Bet Show' is a podcast that delves into the efforts in dealing with player protection and advancing social responsibility initiatives in the gaming industry. Through insightful conversations with prominent individuals, Martin Lycka thoroughly examines a range of subjects pivotal in the battle against problem gambling. The presence and influence that Entain holds through various initiatives is essential in the iGaming sector.

Leon Thomas, the guest on this live episode, boasts an illustrious career in the industry. He previously worked at Bwin, an Entain company, as Director of Regulatory Compliance from 2006 through 2011. Thomas has held various roles, including Managing Director at Tombola, Vice President and General Manager at Caesars Interactive Entertainment Inc., Chief Operating Officer at Mecca Digital (Interim) at The Rank Group, Chief Commercial Officer at Instant Win Gaming, and previously as Managing Director for Bingo and subsequently as Commercial Director for Microgaming.

In February 2021, Thomas returned to Entain to take on the role of Group Head of Corporate Development and M&A. In March 2022, a month after Sports Interaction's owner, Avid Gaming, was purchased by Entain, Thomas was promoted to Managing Director (Canada) at Entain & CEO of Sports Interaction.

Commitment to Player Welfare

Sports Interaction, proudly known as 'the first online sportsbook and casino dedicated to Canadians,' has been a cornerstone of the Canadian gaming industry for over two decades, serving bettors since 1997.

The brand operates exclusively in Canada and Jersey (UK) and is licensed and regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and the Jersey Gambling Commission. It is further supervised by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing controls.

As leaders in this industry, we have a moral responsibility to safeguard the well-being of our players. At Sports Interaction, we take great pride in our commitment to player welfare, exemplified by our guiding principle ‘operate responsibly and act with integrity.’ With our values closely mirroring those of the ‘Safe Bet Show,’ I look forward to engaging in conversations about vital topics related to player protection and problem gambling.

Leon ThomasCEO of Sports Interaction and Managing Director (Canada) at Entain

Responsible Gambling and Ethical Gaming

Martin Lycka added, “I am extremely excited to be returning to SBC Summit Barcelona with such a great guest. Leon has a wealth of knowledge on responsible gambling practices and building relationships with regulators and gambling commissions that I believe a lot of the industry could benefit from.

“Over the past few years, a multitude of dynamic markets such as the US, Canada, and Brazil have emerged. Introducing these new markets to the importance of player protection and welfare is not just a matter of ethics, but a cornerstone of sustainable growth. We want to help brands establish a foundation of trust with players, an environment where players feel safe, valued, and respected. This, in turn, will help create a loyal and engaged player base, the bedrock of any thriving industry.“

Attendees of SBC Summit Barcelona will have the opportunity to attend a variety of player-focused sessions as part of the Player Protection Symposium track. These sessions include 'The Ethics of AI - A Tool of Protection or Harm?', ‘Should ‘Path to Play’ be A Roadmap For Other Regulated Markets?' and 'Betting on Sustainability: The Rise of ESG in iGaming.'

The 'Safe Bet Show' episode featuring Leon Thomas promises to be a highlight of this event, offering valuable insights into the crucial topics of player protection and responsible gambling in the iGaming industry.