ShareAs online poker and casino gaming continues to become more popular around the world, there
are ongoing debates about whether regulated markets create a better experience for players.
To explore this, we sat down with iGaming expert Jemma McColgan for an interview, to find out
her take on the increasingly important role of regulation within the worlds of online casino and
poker games. As Managing Editor for Casino.org Canada, Jemma brings over a decade of
diverse experience in the online gambling industry to her current role in writing casino guidance
content, and has built a well-rounded knowledge of the iGaming world as it stands today.
Hi Jemma, thank you for making the time for this interview. First of all, please
could you introduce yourself to our readers, and explain your experience in the
iGaming industry over the years?
It’s great to be here. I’ve been working in the iGaming world for over 10 years now, and I’ve
worn a lot of different hats in that time. I’ve worked with many leading names and operators in
the industry, and I think I’ve seen how things can play out from every side. I’m also a keen
bettor and player of casino games myself, which definitely helps! In my current role at
Casino.org, I’m focused on testing out bonuses, reviewing the latest platforms arriving on the
scene, and generally keeping our readers in the loop with everything they might need to know.
These days, I’m also frequently focused on the Canadian market, which is a really exciting one. I
find it fascinating to witness all the rapid developments taking place there right now – you have
Ontario of course, which is leading the way and maturing into a very well-established and solid
market, and then there’s Alberta, where regulation is just arriving onto the local online casino
gaming scene. That’s what I love most about working in iGaming, it’s constantly shifting and
evolving. It's just a wonderful niche to be a part of when new developments are always on the
horizon.
How has this entertainment world changed since you started out, and why has
regulation become such an important topic within the online poker and casino
sectors?
It’s a very different landscape out there today compared with when I started out back in 2015.
The industry has matured massively in that time – online gambling has gone from being quite a
niche activity, to becoming a real powerhouse and a driving force within the mainstream
entertainment world. People from a much wider range of backgrounds have been drawn to
explore online poker tournaments or casino games, which is largely down to advancements in
technology and the increasingly convenient nature of iGaming platforms and casual
smartphone gaming that is accessible today.
During the transformation that has taken place, regulators and key legislative bodies have of
course begun to take notice and have increasingly recognized the important role they have to
play in managing industry standards and upholding player protections. In recent years, I think
regulation has become such an important topic because the rate of change has picked up
within the global iGaming industry as a whole. Players, operators, and guidance platforms like
Casino.org are all having to pay greater attention to regulatory decisions, market trends and
new technologies. Online poker and casino platforms are just way more popular today, and that
has major implications for everyone involved.
For players, what are some of the key benefits of playing on regulated gambling
sites? And does regulation improve responsible gambling measures?
I think there are a myriad of benefits for players when choosing regulated gambling sites. When
an operator holds a license from a recognized regulatory body, the key benefit is that players
can move forwards with greater confidence and trust in the platform. It’s a quick and easy way
to identify sites that are being well-run and carefully maintained, whilst meeting the required
standards for the overall user experience and protections for players. Obviously, it doesn’t
mean that every experience will be perfect, but it can provide peace of mind to know that there
will be accountability and clear processes to follow if any problems do come up.
Alongside that sense of legitimacy, I think it’s important to note that regulated operators
typically invest more money and resources into data protection and security. That’s a massively
important consideration today, especially with the rise of fraudulent sites and malicious online
activity. Players are also absolutely more likely to find responsible gambling tools at regulated
sites, giving them greater control over their experience. Generally speaking, regulated poker
platforms and casino sites will be paying closer attention to matters of player protection, as
leading operators are recognizing that sustainable businesses depend on protecting their
players, and building those long-term customer relationships.
Lastly, are there still any challenges facing regulated markets, and what should
players look out for when choosing an online poker or casino site in the future?
Whilst we’ve seen the remarkable success of newly regulated iGaming markets like that of
Ontario, there are certainly still some challenges ahead. I think the biggest challenge is
maintaining a competitive market whilst discouraging players from visiting unlicensed
platforms. If regulation becomes too restrictive, there’s always a risk that some players will look
elsewhere for their online poker and casino games. We recently heard that 91.1% of players in
Ontario are now choosing to play on legal sites, which is a massive achievement, but it’s
important that regulators keep on creating an attractive market to maintain those figures.
Overall, as we head into the future I think players should be evaluating every aspect of the
online poker and casino sites on the market. The amount of options available really is
incredible, so it’s worth consulting the expert guidance and taking the time to compare things
like payment options, customer support and any promotions on offer. As regulated markets
become more competitive and gaming technology becomes more sophisticated, there’s really
no need for people to settle for anything less than the best.
