By NORMAN SHABEL A fundamental question people grapple with at all stages of life is: what brings me purpose and meaning?
From a young age, one answer stood out to me: writing fiction.  By the time I was in my twenties I had drafted several novels. Eventually, I penned 7 plays and 8 novels. Putting stories on paper then bringing them out into the world has always brought an unparalleled level of meaning to everyday life.  

But knowing what brings meaning is just one side of the equation. Finding ways to engage in meaningful activities amid life’s multiple constraints is another altogether. When I was just starting out, I was extremely busy building a career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor and raising a family.  I often squeezed writing in while I was hunched over my desk waiting for a jury verdict to come in.  Today, life is calmer and yet, there are always constraints. I no longer have the adrenaline of youth. My family has grown to include grandchildren.Traveling to see them, as well as to spend time with the many other people I care about, keeps me busier than I anticipated. There’s always something.

So, I have found a new way to keep the meaning of writing alive. That is, focusing my energy on sharing the stories I wrote in the past. In many respects, this has proven to be the most meaningful part of my writing journey. 

Why?
First, my inspiration for writing was initially sparked by seeing the prejudices and injustices that riddle our legal system while I was practicing law.  These include judges’ and juries’ unconscious biases.  There are also hidden agendas that guide the decision-making process, and alliances between judges and defense lawyers, mayors, police and others in power.  All of this can shape what a jury hears in a case, therefore greatly influencing the outcome – and justice.  In writing legal thrillers, I wanted to show this to the world.  And I did.

For example, my novel Four Women is about four elderly women struggling to retain their homes in Miami despite greedy builders attempting to remove them to make a profit.  The protagonist — their lawyer — also represents a young father who fell into a vat of boiling sulfuric acid at the factory where he worked. He couldn’t sue his employer for negligence because the workers’ compensation laws in Florida favor the employer.  Both situations reflect incidents that, as a lawyer, I saw time and again.

These issues are still prominent in our legal system today, and I am still just as passionate about telling the world all about these behind-the-scenes forces.  Sharing my books allows me to do so.  Knowing that readers will learn from them, becoming more aware as citizens and empowered to take action to fight such injustices wherever they can brings me a tremendous sense of fulfillment.

Perhaps more importantly, I am deeply gratified to share the legacy of the real-life people — women in particular — who inspired many of the characters in my fiction. For example, my mother, Jeannette, who emigrated from Poland, married at 14 and raised four children alone after my father was severely injured in a work accident. Her personal struggles as a welfare recipient inspired her to fight for the rights of others in New York’s welfare system. My Aunt Helen, too, had a formidable spirit, fighting for tenant rights in Coney Island after witnessing landlord neglect.  Aspects of their stories are woven into various novels and plays I have written, including Four Women.  It is immensely gratifying that by sharing my books, I am keeping their legacies alive. 

So if you have found something that brings you meaning — whether a hobby, a cause, a learning experience or a creative endeavor — but fear that life’s constraints will hold you back from engaging in it, I invite you to shift your perspective.  The imperatives of reality never go away; they merely evolve.  Instead of abandoning meaningful pursuits or giving up before you start, you can adapt them. For example:
Break them down into a series of smaller steps and take them one step at a time.  
Focus on the process and the parts of it that you enjoy instead of the end goal.
Remind yourself why the activity brings you meaning and continue nurturing the aspects most closely related to this.  

In my case, the ability to share my stories has always been a key ingredient of the meaning writing brings me.  Today, I consider it a privilege to be able to focus on this aspect one hundred percent.

Norman Shabel is the author of eight novels, praised by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano as “terrific, fast-paced reads about the dark side of law enforcement and the judiciary.”  Many of his stories are inspired by his 55-year career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor, where he witnessed injustice and oppression on a daily basis; others draw on his experiences of Jewish family life and his astute observations of its unique, often hilarious, dynamics.  His novels include The Aleph Bet Conspiracy, Four Women and The Badger Game.  Also a prolific playwright, Shabel has written seven plays, three of which have been produced off-broadway in New York City, Philadelphia and Florida to rave reviews. Among them are A Class Act, Marty’s Back in Town, and Are the Lights Still on in Paris?  Born in Brooklyn, NY, Norman is retired from law and splits his time between New Jersey and Florida. He finds much joy spending time with his adult children, and his grandchildren.
 To learn more about Norman Shabel please visit https://normanshabel.net/

Canada, or ‘The Great White North’ as it is known, is the second-largest country in the world, just behind Russia, but it is vastly empty due to the long winters it endures. With a population of just over 38 million people, Canada has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. Gambling is only legal in Canada if offered through licensed facilities. Most provinces require gamblers to be 19 (like in Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan). In Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec, gamblers can legally gamble at 18.

How does a variety of notable events, festivals, tournaments, and shows sound in this beautiful country like Canada? Casinos in this country offer a vast range of experiences, ranging from glitzy entertainment shows to high-stakes poker tournaments. In this article, we will examine the stats, records, and monetary figures that characterize the casino scene.

World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP)

Over the last 20 years the poker sense has grown exponentially worldwide. From something that was done un a shady casino to be plasters in ESPN and the prize pool off millions of dollars Canada is not foreign of that. The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP) has become a major highlight in Canada’s casino calendar. The event features numerous stops across Canadian cities, with each stop offering a variety of poker tournaments. Tournaments have been hosted in over 15 different cities including Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal with total prize pools exceeding CAD 25 million.

Marc-André Ladouceur from Quebec added to his impressive record by winning his third WSOP Circuit ring. After completely dominating a field of 1,800 players, he brought home CAD 210,000. Kristen Bicknell, a three-time WSOP bracelet winner, made headlines at another event when she secured her second WSOP Circuit title, earning CAD 180,000. These victories are a testament to the important level of competition and skill present in Canadian poker and show the talent that these hometown favorites have when it comes to playing poker.

The Great Canadian Casino Fest

British Columbia is one of the most beautiful provinces of Canada, it has stunning views and amazing cities like Vancouver. So that to do after a long day in the outdoors, well various casinos throughout British Columbia, the Great Canadian Casino Fest is a month-long celebration of culture, entertainment, and gaming. Over 50,000 people attended the edition of 2023; the host casinos earned CAD 15 million in revenue. A variety of gourmet dining experiences with the best chefs in Canada, live music performances from great bands, and several gaming tournaments of all types of games from Blackjack to Poker that have a combined prize pools exceeding CAD 5 million were all part of the festival.

The highlights of the 2023 Great Canadian Casino Fest were a special blackjack tournament with a prize pool of CAD 500,000. The tournament attracted 400 players, with the winner taking home CAD 150,000 which is a nice payday for any person. Another major draw was the series of slot machine tournaments, with total prizes reaching CAD 1 million.

Toronto’s Casino Entertainment Shows

Toronto is the biggest city in the ‘Great White North,’ with a population of almost 3 million people. It offers numerous activities, from watching the NBA team, the Toronto Raptors, at the Scotiabank Arena to seeing the MLB team, the Blue Jays, at the Rogers Centre. Toronto is the place for you. And if you enjoy gaming this beautiful, has you covered. Toronto’s casinos are famous for providing world-class entertainment. Over 200,000 people attended over 100 live performances at Casino Woodbine in 2023, which included comedy shows and concerts. The success these casinos have had brings also increase revenue for local businesses like hotels, restaurants, and other businesses who have benefited from the increased foot traffic. And when you are back at your hotel or in the road Ontario Online Casinos gives you large option of places you can play.

Canada is a lovely country with a lot of things to do. Even though it is quite cold most of the year, its people are warm, making it even more beautiful. A variety of experiences and this sense of community make the country an exceptional destination for both residents and visitors. In addition to gaming, the country’s casinos provide unforgettable experiences that exemplify the best of what Canada has to offer: hospitality, safety, and a vibrant cultural setting. Canada’s casino events truly provide a unique combination of excitement and enrichment, which makes it a wonderful choice for those seeking both entertainment and pleasure. These events, from the glitz and glamour of high-stakes games to the soulful sounds of jazz festivals, offer a unique blend of excitement and enrichment.

Your casino stands out in your market and attracts interest. But does your audience know that? With effective marketing, you can transform your casino from an average competitor into a top industry player. We will show you proven strategies to boost your business now and in the future. And when you have proven strategies like insights from a High Roller online casinos review in Canada, the possibilities are endless.

1. Improve Visibility

With stiff competition among casinos, being easily found online is crucial. Discoverability measures how simple it is for people to find your casino.

Put yourself in the shoes of one of your guests looking for a casino. How easy is it to find yours? Try searching on different engines, checking reviews on travel sites, and looking for your casino on social media. See how often your casino appears and how well it ranks. Use tools like Moz and SEMrush to get a clear picture of your current visibility.

To increase your casino’s online visibility, there are a number of strategies you can try. First, try to create distinct landing pages for each key amenity at your casino. Incorporate relevant keywords, high-quality images, and engaging headlines.

You can also use search engine ads carefully. Follow Google’s guidelines by targeting approved countries. These include responsible gambling information on your landing pages and avoiding targeting minors. Check local regulations and test ads with relevant keywords.

Don’t forget to set up social media profiles on platforms your audience frequents. Engage in discussions about gaming, your casino, local news, and community events.

Optimize your content with keywords about your amenities, location, unique features, and events. Highlight what sets you apart so visitors can easily find you.

Use beacons or proximity marketing to attract nearby guests, especially when competing with other casinos. This helps target customers in the real world, not just online.

Form partnerships with local businesses, entertainers, event suppliers, and food vendors to boost your visibility and word of mouth.

2. Focus on Events and Group Business

Your casino offers more than gaming. You might have a luxury hotel, advanced technology, event spaces, a spa, and great restaurants. So, think about the whole picture in your marketing.

Casinos are great for big events like weddings, conferences, and reunions. Make sure your marketing targets these opportunities to attract them.

3. Identify the Jobs to Be Done

Marketers used to rely mainly on demographics, like age, income, and education, to predict behavior. Understanding audience behavior based on demographics is useful. For example, Anderson Digital notes that Boomers and Gen Xers spend 80% of their casino money on gaming and 20% on food and entertainment. In contrast, Millennials spend 30% on gaming and 70% on food, entertainment, and other services. To attract Millennial and Gen Z customers, focus on better entertainment, food options, online game components, and mobile marketing.

However, demographics alone don’t tell the whole story. For instance, knowing a group of women outside your casino are in their late 20s, college-educated, and have high-paying jobs is helpful. But, it doesn’t reveal their reasons for being there.

These women might be on a business trip with some free time, in town for a family reunion, or celebrating a bachelorette party. With just their demographic info, it’s hard to know their motivations, challenges, or needs.

This framework helps marketers understand why customers choose their products or services. Women at a casino for a bachelorette party are looking for a fun atmosphere with entertainment, food, and drinks. But if they’re there for work, they need a stress-free environment with good Wi-Fi, charging stations, and quiet spaces for meetings.

Understand what your audience wants and how they see your role. This helps you tailor your messaging, marketing, and offerings.

4. Create Positive Feedback Loops

Casinos attract customers with fun experiences like gaming, dining, and entertainment. By enhancing these positive feelings, you can boost your casino’s marketing success and encourage repeat visits.

Feedback loops happen when the result of an action is used to influence the action itself. For example, if a child makes a parent laugh, they’re likely to repeat the funny behavior to get more laughter.

Positive feedback loops make it more likely that the action will be repeated. Negative feedback loops make it less likely. You likely use positive feedback loops in your casino already. Guests who win are happy and want to play again. Those who have a bad experience are less likely to return.

You can enhance marketing by using feedback loops. After a positive experience, like winning or a great meal, encourage guests to refer others or leave reviews. If a guest uses a discount, offer another deal immediately. If your casino has a hotel, send emails encouraging future bookings right after positive experiences, like upgrades or enjoyable events.

Reply to positive feedback and reviews with invitations for future experiences. Make sure to also reward loyal customers with special offers and exclusive perks. Don’t forget to address negative feedback by turning it into a positive experience. 

5. Use Social Proof

People usually trust each other more than they trust your brand. They’re more likely to listen to recommendations from friends or online reviews than your own claims. 

To build trust, you need endorsements from others. Social proof means people tend to follow the actions of those they admire.

Show positive reviews on your website and social media. Record video testimonials from satisfied guests and winners. Encourage guests to share their experiences online and tag your casino. Keep an eye on reviews and respond to feedback. Set up a photo booth in the casino for guests to take winning photos. Display pictures and videos of recent winners on screens around the casino. Think about your audience’s motivations and where they get their information to find creative ways to use social proof.

6. Keep Up With Gaming Trends

Casinos are changing quickly. Online gaming, e-sports, and new tech like virtual and augmented reality are key. To stay competitive, casinos need to understand and use these trends.

As you create your casino marketing strategy, consider these key trends. E-sports are growing fast, so partnering with teams can help you reach new audiences. Virtual and AR are changing how guests experience gaming, making it more engaging from anywhere. Online casinos are becoming more popular with relaxed regulations. So, keep up with industry changes to stay competitive. Finally, as gaming tastes shift, staying updated on new trends will keep you ahead.