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Gaming task force formed in Sault

A task force has been formed to grow the lottery and gaming sector in Sault Ste. Marie . The goal of the Sault Ste.
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A task force has been formed to grow the lottery and gaming sector in Sault Ste. Marie. (FILE PHOTO)

A task force has been formed to grow the lottery and gaming sector in Sault Ste. Marie.

The goal of the Sault Ste. Marie Digital Gaming Taskforce is to find development opportunities for digital gaming in the context of information and communications technology (ICT) that will create jobs and revenue.

The partnership between Canadian Bank Note and the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre to establish a digital gaming platform for e-bingo is one example of the types of projects that can be undertaken. The province recently allotted $1 million to that partnership.

Members of the SSM Digital Gaming Task Force include:

-Tom Marinelli, acting CEO, Ontario Lottery and Gaming

-Anup Kumar, executive director, Charitable Gaming, Canadian Banknote Company, Ltd.

-Terry DeBono, partner, The Debono Group Inc.

-Doug Pollard, co-chief executive officer, Pollard Banknote Ltd.

-David Schantz, vice-president, academic and research, Algoma University

-Leo Tiberi, vice-president, academic, Sault College

-Tom Dodds, chief executive officer, Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation

-Tom Vair, executive director, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre

"The global gaming industry is growing, particularly in the digital gaming market," said Tom Marinelli, OLG's acting president and CEO, in a news release. "Sault Ste. Marie is well positioned for new economic development and job creation in this emerging market. As part of the Digital Gaming Task Force, I want to help the community leverage its valuable assets and grab a hold of these unique opportunities."

“Sault Ste. Marie has a unique environment that creates great potential for growth in the digital gaming sector,” added Tom Vair, executive director of the innovation centre. “This taskforce will help ensure that we take a strategic and coordinated approach to create new jobs in the community and take advantage of global opportunities.”