(AsiaGameHub) –   As artificial intelligence broadens the attack surface and cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the gaming industry faces growing pressure to enhance oversight and control. The Cybersecurity in Gaming Summit returns in 2026 to tackle these challenges, with a strong emphasis on risk management, regulatory compliance, and organizational resilience.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 20, as part of the SBC Summit Canada 2026 conference programme. Developed in collaboration with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), it unites cybersecurity professionals, legal and compliance experts, and industry leaders for an in-depth exploration of one of the sector’s most pressing concerns.

Beyond identifying potential risks, the summit will examine how organizations can respond effectively—ranging from managing AI-driven threats to establishing governance frameworks capable of withstanding rising regulatory demands.

“Gaming operators manage vast amounts of player data and financial transactions, making cybersecurity a top priority across the industry,” said Graham Reed, Vice President of Cyber and Information Security at OLG. “Each technological advancement brings new risks that evolve in tandem. With AI, the key difference today is the unprecedented speed and scale of those threats. The question of whether we’re moving quickly enough has never been more critical. This summit aims to ensure Canadian operators are actively planning for what lies ahead.”

As the industry navigates these complexities, the summit will feature prominent voices in AI and ethics, including Nell Watson, a philosopher, engineer, and author who will participate twice during the day.

With decades of experience spanning ethics, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence, Watson has held leadership positions at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the European Responsible Artificial Intelligence Office (EURAIO). She has advised major organizations such as Apple and Amazon and delivered talks at leading institutions including the World Bank, the United Nations General Assembly, and the Royal Society.

Watson will open the day with a keynote address titled “The Agent in the Machine: Trust, Capability and the New AI Era” on the Leaders Stage. The session will explore how agentic AI is transforming cybersecurity and compelling organizations to rethink concepts of trust and control. It will also address how operators can responsibly deploy AI while maintaining robust governance structures.

She will also join OLG’s Graham Reed for the fireside chat “Bonus Level: An Interactive Conversation with Our Keynote.” Together, they will discuss strategies related to agentic AI before opening the discussion to a live audience Q&A.

The session “Cybersecurity in Gaming: Emerging Risks and Opportunities” will analyze how cyber threats are becoming more automated, coordinated, and influenced by AI—including the emergence of agentic systems. Experts Rick Carville (VP, Cybersecurity & CISO, Great Canadian Entertainment), Bryan Pollitt (Associate Partner, Consulting, EY Canada), and moderator Graham Reed (Vice President, Cyber & Information Security Office, OLG) will discuss key vulnerability points, evolving attack methodologies, and strategies to strengthen overall resilience.

“Mastering Agentic AI: The Playbook for Safe & Scalable Autonomy” will examine how agentic AI is reshaping operational models, necessitating a shift from passive risk management to proactive, organization-wide capability building. Led by Graham Reed and moderated by Tom Nightingale (Editor, Canadian Gaming Business), the session will focus on aligning cybersecurity, IT, and business teams to securely implement autonomous systems.

The panel “Proving Control: Compliance and Accountability in a Changing Risk Environment” will address how organizations can transition from merely understanding risks to demonstrating concrete control and accountability amid rapid technological change. Participants include Graham Reed, Tony Wong (General Counsel, OLG), Karl Rempel (Senior Manager, Technology Regulation and Compliance, ACGO), and Danielle M. Bush (Senior Counsel, McCarthy Tétrault), who will explore adaptable compliance frameworks suited to evolving regulations and new technologies.

“Cybersecurity is rapidly becoming one of the defining challenges facing the gaming industry,” stated Aidan Brain, VP of Conference Production at SBC. “Collaborating with OLG enables us to anchor this programme in practical, real-world experience and focus on the actual risks organizations are confronting today.”

OLG is a Crown agency responsible for overseeing lottery, casino, digital, and charitable gaming operations in Ontario, as well as supporting the province’s horse racing sector.

Since its establishment in 1975, OLG has contributed nearly $64 billion to the people and government of Ontario, funding vital initiatives such as healthcare, problem gambling treatment and prevention, and amateur sports. Its proceeds also benefit host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers, and local charities throughout the province. All of OLG’s profits are reinvested directly into Ontario.

SBC Summit Canada will run from May 19–21 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, uniting operators, suppliers, regulators, and affiliates at a crucial juncture for the Canadian gaming landscape, especially as Alberta prepares to launch a regulated market expected to mirror Ontario’s model.