Integrated into SBC’s CasinoBeats Summit and Betting on Sports events, the forum has been developed to provide a platform for industry leaders to discuss all elements of problem gambling from the political to the practical.

Graham Weir, Founder & CEO at Safer Gambling Solutions, will act as the chair of the Safer Gambling Forum conference track, which will incorporate sessions on:

• Loss Limits & Stakes Reduction


• Understanding Player Finances


• Identifying & Interacting With Problem Gamblers


• Marketing’s Role in Prevention & Education


• CSR: The Key to Sustainable Gaming

The exhibition floor at Olympia London will have a safer gambling area, with stands from EPIC, YGAM, GamCare, GAMSTOP, GamBan, BetKnowMore and Mindway AI.

Weir commented: "Betting on Sports and the CasinoBeats Summit are the perfect platform to talk about reducing gambling-related harm from a business perspective. That is why I am happy to Chair the Safer Gambling Forum on 19 September, as I believe the more companies that embrace safer gambling as part of their everyday operations, the better it is for the long-term health of the industry and society at large."

Stewart Darkin, Managing Director of CasinoBeats, said: "The launch of the Safer Gambling Forum is a very important step for SBC and CasinoBeats and reflects a clear shift in the industry agenda. Safer gambling practice has evolved from a topic of conversation to a critical business activity for leading operators, suppliers and affiliates. Through the Forum, we hope to deliver a valuable opportunity for the sector to discuss and develop the safer gambling agenda and, in doing so, help move the industry forward."

Lee Willows, Founder & Chief Executive at YGAM, said: "The challenge of making gambling safer for everyone is something with which everyone in the gambling industry and beyond should be involved. YGAM are delighted to be contributing to the Safer Gambling Forum at the CasinoBeats Summit as we feel this is a great opportunity to discuss operational and legal matters in order to improve protection for customers and showcase how YGAM are working with the industry to achieve this."

Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Risk Management, said: "It's great to be involved with the Safer Gambling Forum. This is a very important development as companies get to grips with how best to prevent problem gambling. The more the industry can get together to discuss these matters, the better informed we will all be, and the more potential solutions will present themselves."

Speakers already confirmed for the Forum include Daniela Johansson (Chief Responsibility Officer, Deputy CEO, Paf), Steven Armstrong (Group Money Laundering Reporting Officer, William Hill), Sarah Hanratty (CEO, Senet Group), Paul Buck (CEO, EPIC Risk Management), Fiona Palmer (CEO, GAMSTOP), Yakir Firestane (Director of Digital, The Health Lottery), Jesper Karrbrink (Exec Chairman, Green Jade), James Myles (Analyst, Eta Delta), Ray Wilson (Director, AMLGS), Harry Cott (CEO & Co-Founder, beBettor.com), and Américo Loureiro (Director, Solverde).

CasinoBeats Summit also features three full conference tracks for operators, suppliers and other stakeholders in the casino industry.

Future of Gaming will address issues including innovation in live casino, the future of slots and player-focused game design. It also features a Leaders Panel, with Veiko Krünberg (MD Online, Olympic Entertainment), Tomas Bachman (CEO, Hero Gaming), Simon Wykes (CEO Ops, Jackpotjoy) and Alexander Stevendahl (CEO, Videoslots.com) among the speakers.

Market Forces has sessions focusing on developments in Sweden, the USA and Japan, as well as a look at the future of blockchain in casino and an examination of the implications of Brexit for the industry. Speakers on the track include Fredrik Wastenson (CEO - Sport & Casino, Svenska Spel),

Kim Larsen (Managing Director, MetalCasino), Kresimir Spajic (SVP Online Gaming, Hard Rock),

Stefan Kovach (CCO, Funfair Tech), Andrew Lyman (Executive Director at Government of Gibraltar - Gambling Division) and Jan Jones Blackhurst (EVP Public Policy & Corp. Responsibility, Caesars Entertainment).

The Customer Journey & Marketing track’s five sessions include panels about the use of social features in casino games, how online casinos can meet the needs of a new generation of players, innovation in online poker, affiliate marketing strategies and staff recruitment in the igaming sector. Speakers include Karolina Pelc (Strategic Adviser and Founder, Basic Strategy), Marcin Jablonski (CCO, LVBet), Erik Hellqvist (CMO, Wunderino), Ash Clay (Head of UX, Kindred), Sam Behar (Head of Global Marketing, Marathonbet), Dmitry Starostenkov (CEO, EvenBet), Ed Rogov (CMO, Quints.io) and David Ball (Group HR Director, Rank Group).

CasinoBeats Summit runs alongside Betting on Sports, which has eight conference tracks focusing on the sports betting industry. Delegates will have full access to both events.