The Canadian Gaming Summit (CGS) is Canada’s primary exhibition and conference for the iGaming sector. It’s held annually and attracts senior executives and leaders from both the gaming and sports betting sectors across Canada and much further afield.
The upcoming 2025 CGS is poised to be the Canadian gaming industry’s defining event, helping boost the country’s burgeoning market. In 2024, the iGaming industry garnered over $3 billion in revenue, and analysts project that this figure will be far exceeded by the end of 2025.
With that said, let’s dive straight in to discuss some of the hottest new trends that are helping fuel this ever-expanding sector of the digital entertainment industry.
What are the CGs, and when is the next one?
The 2025 Canadian Gaming Summit is the number one event that will attract over 3,000 industry leaders, top executives, and professionals from the gaming and betting ecosystems from Canada and beyond for purposes of networking, education, and business.
Examples of the people attending this year include compliance officers, regulators, sports organizations (teams and leagues), affiliates, First Nation casinos, suppliers, and Crown corporations. Lottery/provincial lottery corporations, associations, media, investors & banking, and community gaming/bingo leaders will also make up some of the delegates and operators that will be in attendance.
The next edition will be the 28th time this event has been held, and it’s expected to run over three days, starting on Tuesday, June 17, until Thursday 19, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It is already shaping up to be a turning point in the evolution of the iGaming sector that will hopefully help stimulate even more growth.
The iGaming sector is rapidly transforming in Canada, and events like this help shape the future of this industry and lay down new foundations for the regulatory landscape across the nation. Attendees will also discuss key challenges that lie ahead, share success stories, and showcase their latest products.
Attendees can also immerse themselves in the latest ground-breaking titles to hit the market by heading to the bustling exhibition floor. People can network with the biggest names in the industry and get involved with the busy conference itinerary to ensure they get the most out of their visit.
One of the best ways to plan your trip and book meetings is to get the SBC Connect Plus event mobile app for your smartphone. It comes with the official three-day schedule, details about the latest product releases, and an exhibitors and sponsors list. You can also get important alerts and reminders throughout the event.
What does the CGS mean for online casino players?
What happens at the CGS also typically has broader implications for players. For example, iGaming events like this are not only designed for leaders to discuss compliance, taxes, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, shifts in consumer preferences, regulations, and more to bring about positive change.
The CGS also encourages industry leaders to put players first and make them the beneficiaries of any changes they make, which means that players are always a top priority. They aim to enhance the user experience, provide them with a safer digital environment to play their favorite games, and keep things fresh and entertaining. Each player has their preference, and the industry both defines and accommodates that. For instance, minimum deposit casinos in Canada are a key criterion for some gamers, which, while specific, still leaves plenty of scope for further specifications. Each minimum deposit casino will have a slightly different gaming catalog, slightly different payment methods, and slightly different customer service standards. It’s not an industry that becomes homogenous.
The iGaming sector is one of the most competitive industries out there. The ever-changing landscape is constantly being shaped by innovation, regulatory practices, and new technologies.
The decisions made at CGS ensure that online casino operators continually adapt to the latest trends and that they provide enhanced cybersecurity, better gameplay, and more worthwhile rewards.
Although the event is mainly for industry leaders, it gives players a glimpse of what is to come in this burgeoning sector.
The key takeaways from the CGS typically influence the fully licensed and regulated platforms that Canadians are legally permitted to play on. The event also helps influence the games we play and focuses on safeguarding players’ best interests.
In other words, the Canadian Gaming Summit catalyzes the industry’s growth and helps bridge the gap between key players while fostering innovation. The Canadian iGaming industry continues to grow thanks to collaborative efforts and key decisions made at the CGS, which helps to continually push the boundaries of what is possible in this thriving sector.
This year’s Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto promises to be the biggest event to date – trying to establish itself as a major player on the global scene like Cannes is to the film industry – and the decisions made here will play a defining role in shaping the future of the iGaming industry across Canada. Last year, 40% of attendees were senior decision-makers, meaning it has truly become the summit where business gets done.
Ontario is expected to be the key topic for many discussions, plus many other hot topics will be discussed that will help shape the trajectory of the gaming sector across Canada.
Final thoughts
The CGS will get underway at 7 pm on Tuesday 17 with an opening party, which starts with pre-registration and networking drinks until midnight. You can sign in and obtain your personal conference badge.
On day two, Wednesday 18, you can look forward to the main exhibition, hospitality and networking, the CGS conference, and the official networking party, and the final day will be pretty much the same as day 2.
If you plan on attending, remember to book your tickets, travel, and accommodation well in advance, and remember to purchase your tickets from official CGS vendors. Also, don’t forget to download and install the app from the official Canadian Gaming Summit website.
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