BCLC and Future Anthem to launch AI and data innovation hub in Vancouver

British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has announced a partnership with UK-based gambling data science company Future Anthem to establish an Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Hub at BCLC’s Vancouver office.

The hub will focus on developing AI and data capabilities intended to improve player experience across BCLC’s lottery, gaming and sports betting platforms. It will bring together a dedicated team of data and product specialists, who will have access to Future Anthem’s data science platform.

Joint oversight and local jobs

The initiative will be overseen by a joint Steering Committee made up of senior representatives from both organisations. According to BCLC, the hub aims to create specialised, Vancouver-based AI roles, drawing on Future Anthem’s experience in building AI research and development teams, alongside a smaller group of BCLC staff with relevant expertise.

Mark Goldberg, BCLC’s Chief Information Officer, said the hub reflects the lottery corporation’s focus on data-driven research and software development to support player engagement, safer play and game design.

Leigh Nissim, CEO and founder of Future Anthem, said the partnership combines the two companies’ expertise and technologies to apply AI responsibly for player benefit, adding that access to broader data across verticals and channels would support the development of machine learning models and AI applications.

Governance and data handling

As part of the arrangement, Future Anthem will deploy its real-time AI platform within the hub and apply governance protocols covering transparency of AI use, data security and oversight of AI models and their impact on players. The models will use anonymised data stored within Canada.

BCLC is a social purpose company operating lottery, casino and sports betting entertainment in British Columbia. The organisation reported generating more than $1.6 billion in net income last year for provincial and community programmes, including healthcare, education and charities.

Future Anthem, which offers the Amplifier AI product for personalising player experience, has previously been named Data & AI Partner of the Year at the EGR B2B Awards and was selected for the UK’s Tech Nation Applied AI 3.0 Growth Programme.