British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) announced recently they are jumping into the artificial-intelligence arena with both feet, partnering with Future Anthem, a UK-based gambling-data-science specialist.
The two organizations are creating an AI and Data Innovation Hub, to be set up in BCLC’s Vancouver office. The Hub will be dedicated to developing AI, data capabilities, and programs and will employ a team of data and product professionals with access to Future Anthem’s Data Science platform. The Hub will be managed in partnership through a Steering Committee that includes senior representatives from both BCLC and Future Anthem.
CDC Gaming spoke with Jake Chody, Head of Product Marketing for Future Anthem, about the new partnership.
CDC Gaming: Can you provide some more detail on the service Future Anthem will be providing to BCLC?
The Innovation Hub will aim to build innovative, operational, and commercial applications of data and AI products for use by BCLC. The goal of the products will be to improve player experiences, with a prioritization of real-time activities where possible. The products will aim to cover all product categories – lottery, instant, casino, sports, poker, and bingo – and will transverse land-based and online activities where possible.
CDC Gaming: How will Future Anthem be incorporating BCLC staff into this process?
The Canadian Future Anthem team engaged in the Hub will be employed by Anthem, a Vancouver-based team of data professionals that innovate with AI, operating as a specialized subsidiary of Future Anthem in partnership with BCLC. The team will build AI and data products designed to improve player experiences. Whilst the Anthem team will operate with a degree of independence, its success will align with the long-term goals of BCLC and with Future Anthem’s overarching mission, values, and culture.
BCLC employees may propose initiatives for the Hub to work on, which will be technically assessed, with the Steering Committee deciding on the approved roadmap and resourcing. Over time, BCLC employees will be seconded into the Innovation Hub to learn and assist in the development and creation of AI capabilities built within the Innovation Hub for BCLC.
CDC Gaming: What are some of the ways in which AI will improve the player experience? What can BCLC players look forward to?
The initial products for the Hub will be decided by the Steering Committee based on the expertise of Future Anthem and the priorities of BCLC. Future Anthem has always personalized every step of the player journey and this Hub will maintain a deep focus on personalizing the experience for everyone.
CDC Gaming: How can you assure people that player data collection will be secure?
Through existing work with Future Anthem, the Hub will leverage existing gaming data with PlayNow and other gaming data that Future Anthem has to build new AI data capabilities for BCLC. This will grow and develop as the roadmap evolves. The integrity of data is paramount to us. For this reason, we chose leading platform providers because of their uncompromising approach to security and privacy.
