• The B’nai Brith Human Rights Award for Journalism
• The African Canadian Achievement Award
• Black Film and Video Achievement Award for Leadership
• And awards from the New York and Houston International Film Festivals
CEO, BetBuddy
Simo is CEO and Founder of BetBuddy, Playtech’s award-winning responsible gambling data analytics company that creates software to better understand behaviour and risk in gaming. BetBuddy has been backed by InnovateUK and has a collaboration with the Research Centre for Machine Learning at City, University of London, where they have collectively worked on numerous research projects in the domains of AI, knowledge extraction, and gaming risk. His research interests are focused on using data to understand behaviour and predict risk and in making AI more transparent and human-like.
Simo is an expert in consumer behaviour and consumer protection. He is also a PhD supervisor at the Research Centre for Machine Learning at City, University of London, and was named AMBA Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013.
Prior to BetBuddy he spent 15 years working in banking and capital markets as a consultant and programme manager delivering and building finance and risk systems, as we all as helping senior executives shape and deliver operational strategies.
Consultant/Advisor, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation
Vic has nearly 40 years’ experience in the Canadian gaming industry having previously held senior executive positions in both the private and public sector with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and the Western Canada Lottery Foundation.
As President and CEO of BCLC from 1999 to 2007, Vic lead the strategic transformation and growth of the gaming industry in British Columbia through the establishment of a business and legal model that allowed Government and private sector gaming operators to work cooperatively to transform the gaming industry into a high quality, responsible, customer focused gaming entertainment business.
Vic joined Great Canadian Gaming Corporation in 2010 as Senior/Executive Vice President, Eastern Operations, a position he held until early 2017. In this role, Vic was instrumental in assisting Great Canadian in competing in the OLG Land Based Modernization program with the result of Great Canadian being chosen as the successful Casino Service Provider by OLG in the East, GTA and West GTA bundles- making Great Canadian the largest private sector service provider in Ontario.
Vic currently is a senior advisor/consultant with Great Canadian Gaming, having chosen to spend less time on airplanes and more time with family, personal travel and recreation activities. Vic grew up in Winnipeg and is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Commerce (Business) program.
Vic and his wife Bev are longtime residents of Kamloops, BC and enjoy spending time with their 4 children and 7 grandchildren.
Vice President, Compliance – The Stars Group
He joined The Stars Group, in September 2014 and is currently Vice President, Compliance. Prior to working for The Stars Group, George held a number of senior executive positions in the gaming industry, most recently as senior vice president with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and as Chief Strategy Officer with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Earlier roles include executive positions with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and Len Stuart and Associates. George has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Responsible Gambling Council, the North American State Provincial Lotteries Association (NASPL) and the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC).
Ian Thomson has a background in gaming and gaming-related industries, having previously held roles with Aristocrat Technologies, ebet Gaming Systems, Aruze Gaming Australia and the Independent Liquor Group. He has over 16 years of experience on Boards of Directors across a range of Sports and Hospitality businesses. He is also a champion of the club system in Australia.
Ian has served as Justice of the Peace. Away from work, Ian has received a surf lifesaving bronze medallion, an Australian Sports Medal and has previously been a professional Rugby League Coach and player. He also holds a diploma in Financial Planning from Deakin University and is a Certified Financial Planner.