Former Nhl goaltender from Pickering, ON and the current executive director of the Nhl alumni association (Nhlaa), Glenn Healy, is set to make a special appearance on a live episode of the 'Safe bet show.'
The podcast, which is hosted by Martin Lycka, Entain's senior vice president of American regulatory affairs and responsible gambling, will be featured at the Player protection symposium, a limited-capacity exclusive event taking place on june 13th at the Metro Toronto convention center (Rooms 205 & 206).
This pre-day conference is part of the Canadian gaming summit, Canada's premier gaming and betting event. In its 26th edition, the Summit will be produced by Sbc for the first time ever, with the core conference and exhibition also occurring at the same location on june 14-15.
Launched in collaboration with Sbc in april 2021, the 'Safe bet show' is a podcast where Lycka examines how the industry is addressing player protection and social responsibility. Through interviews with leading figures, Lycka delves into various topics central to combating problem gambling.
A Stanley cup champion with the 1994 New York Rangers, Healy’s Nhl journey began with the Los Angeles kings in 1985. Healy would later go on to amass a 15-year Nhl goaltending career that included stops with four different teams - the Los Angeles kings, New York islanders, New York rangers, and the Toronto maple leafs. Healy concluded his Nhl career in 2001 and subsequently held the director of Player affairs position for the National hockey league players' association (Nhlpa) until his resignation in september 2009.
The Nhl star also had a role as a hockey colour commentator and studio analyst for Cbc and Tsn. During his time at Tsn, he introduced the "Loch Ness monster" hockey analysis segment, where he highlighted players who were expected to have a significant impact but fell short of expectations. He contributed to Tsn Hockey, Tsn's regional Toronto maple leafs telecast, and Nhl coverage on Sportsnet. Currently, he holds the position of executive director & president of the Nhlaa, a prominent organization dedicated to advocating and supporting former Nhl players in retirement.
One month ago, the Nhlaa formed a partnership with Entain foundation U.S. to promote responsible gambling among hockey fans. At the Canadian gaming summit, Lycka and Healy will sit down to reflect on the aspects of safer gaming legislation in Ontario and beyond.
Healy said: "I look forward to utilizing the collective voice of our Nhl Alumni members, all of whom have played a crucial role in shaping the game we love today, to advocate for safe gambling practices. This is an exciting opportunity for me, and I look forward to engaging with industry leaders and contributing to this important discussion.”
Lycka added: "I am thrilled to be hosting another edition of my Safe bet show, marking its debut at the Canadian gaming summit. It is an absolute honour to have the perfect guest to carry forward this Sbc event tradition. With Glenn's profound sports background, our discussions on safer gambling gain immeasurable value.
“As the allure of sports continues to soar, it becomes imperative for our industry to strive for excellence in addressing player needs and preventing gambling harm. By joining forces with these remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to sports and persistently contribute through influential educational programs, we can make a profound impact."
The pre-day conference is a limited-capacity event with a maximum of 100 attendee spots. Individuals interested in attending must purchase tickets to the Canadian gaming summit through the official event website. A special discount is available for groups of three or more people, saving $100 per ticket on a full event pass. Additionally, interested attendees must submit a registration form expressing their interest in attending the Player protection symposium.