New Horizons In Safer Gambling Conference 2026

November 2 - 4, 2026 JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, BC

The Disruption Paradox - Reinventing Safer Gambling

The gambling landscape is being reshaped by new technologies, shifting consumer expectations, emerging public health insights, and cross-industry convergences. Regulation and policy struggle to keep up, forcing us to rethink long held assumptions. 

What disruptions are impacting gambling today? 

How is gambling itself causing a disruption? 

As safer gambling leaders, how can we leverage disruption to help reshape a safer, more sustainable future? 

This year’s conference invites participants to examine disruption not as a threat, but as a catalyst for innovation, responsibility, and bold leadership. From AI driven solutions to the blending of gambling with gaming and entertainment, from regulatory transformations to cross-industry collaborations —these intersections demand new thinking and new kinds of leadership.

Join us at New Horizons as we explore how intentional, responsible disruption can reshape the future of safer gambling. 

Early Bird Registration Now Open

Secure your place at New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference 2026 and join industry leaders for two days of forward thinking dialogue, practical insights, and meaningful networking.

With a single registration, delegates gain full access to all conference sessions, panels, and events. 

Early Bird Rate: $835 plus fees and taxes  (available until July 31, 2026) 

Regular Rate: $1035 plus fees and taxes

 

REGISTER NOW

Introducing Keynote Speakers

Jay Kiew

Navigating the Disruption Paradox

How do we move from surviving disruption to using it to build a safer, more sustainable future?

Gambling is shifting fast — driven by technology, changing consumer behaviour, public‑health insights, and the merging of gambling and entertainment. In a landscape defined by constant change, the challenge is no longer avoiding disruption but navigating it with purpose.

At New Horizons, disruption strategist Jay Kiew will show how upheaval can become opportunity. Through research‑backed case studies, he introduces Change Fluency™ — a practical playbook for adapting to rapid transformation. His keynote gives attendees tools to understand today’s disruptive forces, respond to regulatory and technological shifts, and use intentional disruption to help build a safer, more sustainable future.

Meet Jay Kiew

David Schwarz

The Human Algorithm: Why Lived Experience Is the Most Disruptive Force in Safer Gambling

For two decades, former Australian Football League player David Schwarz has done what no algorithm can: speak the first‑person truth of gambling harm. Not as a warning or statistic, but as a story that cuts through shame and reaches people before they ask for help.

Lived‑experience education works differently. It enters workplaces, schools, and clubs — places technology can’t reach — and speaks in a language clinical framing never quite captures: the human voice.

As the industry confronts advertising restrictions and a public‑health approach to harm, this session argues that lived experience, used strategically and at scale, isn’t an add‑on to tech‑led solutions. It’s the disruptive force that makes them work.

Meet David Schwarz

Conference Venue & Hotel Accommodations

JW Marriott Parq Vancouver

39 Smithe Street, Vancouver, BC

V6B 0R3

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Western Canada’s mountain ranges, the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver offers an exceptional waterfront setting in the heart of the city. This world class venue provides a vibrant sense of place and an inspiring environment for learning and collaboration.

Explore JW Marriott Parq Vancouver

Preferred Room Rates

For out of town guests, preferred room rates are available on site at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, ensuring convenience and comfort throughout your stay.

Preferred Rate: Starting at $339. Limited availability on a first come, first serve basis.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Sponsorship Opportunities

We are proud to offer sponsorship opportunities to collaborate with organizations that share New Horizon’s passion towards safer gambling advancement. Sponsoring New Horizons 2026 offers a unique opportunity for industry visibility and recognition. As a sponsor, we are offering: 

  • Showcase Leadership: Position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in safer gambling and player well-being. 
  • Gain Visibility: Reach a diverse and influential audience through branded materials, digital platforms, and on-site recognition. 
  • Build Relationships: Network with global experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in a collaborative environment. 
  • Support Impact: Contribute to meaningful dialogue and initiatives that shape the future of responsible gambling. 

To inquire more about sponsorship opportunities, please connect with us at HorizonsRG@bclc.com

General

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us via email.

horizonsrg@bclc.com

Media Relations

For media inquiries, please contact Media Relations at 604-225-6460 or by email.

mediarelations@bclc.com