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First cousins play leadership roles in local amateur hockey circles
By MYRON LOVE Ian MacArton and Ben Blankstein are first cousins who share a passion for hockey – a passion which has led to leadership roles in amateur hockey in Winnipeg and Manitoba respectively.
Blankstein and McArton are grandsons of Marjorie and the late Morley Blankstein, both long time community leaders and philanthropists. Both young men have been involved in hockey on and off the ice for virtually their entire lives.
Ian McArton has been the executive director of Hockey Winnipeg for the past four years. The son of Carol and the late Barry McArton (who was a past chair of the CJA campaign) and long time member of the Rady JCC, Ian says that he began playing hockey at the age of seven.
“I grew up in St. Boniface,” McArton notes. “I played for local teams – first as forward and later on defense.
“Hockey is a great team game,” he observes. ‘It is all about team work, camaraderie and friendship.”
Ben Blankstein was introduced to hockey as a five-year-old. The son of Mary and Leo Blankstein continued to play hockey for various local teams – playing left wing generally – throughout high school, and reports that he continues to play with friends.
Blankstein turned to coaching in first year university– coaching in the under 15 and under 18-year-old categories. McArton, who is five years older than his cousin, started his coaching career while in first year university.
“A friend of mine had been asked by a neighbor to coach a group of 9-year-olds playing in a house league,” McArton recalls. “He asked me to help him. I picked up a lot of tips about coaching that year.”
McArton has a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management and Community Development from the University of Manitoba Department of Kinesiology – graduating in 2010. While at university, he worked for YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg as Youth Coordinator charged with managing staff, volunteers and campers.
After graduation, he served first as manager of athlete development for Special Olympics Manitoba for four years before moving on to the University of Winnipeg as facility and events co-ordinator for Wesmen Athletics. He started at Hockey Winnipeg in 2017 as development co-ordinator and was promoted to executive director the next year.
“Hockey Winnipeg’s mandate,” he explains, “revolves around managing the business operations of minor hockey in Winnipeg. We have about 9.000 young players and 3,000 coaches participating in our programs. The core of what we do is register the players and teams and help the ten minor hockey associations in the city to develop their programs. We also run our own development programs.”
Ben Blankstein, who grew up in River Heights, followed his older cousin’s path into the University of Manitoba Department of Kinesiology, also graduating – last year – with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management and Community Development and earning a place on the Dean’s Honours List.
“I was able to do my student field work with Ian at Hockey Winnipeg dealing mainly with coaches and officials clinics and learning how to implement various clinics on and off the ice,” he says. “When I saw the Hockey Manitoba job posting for a co-ordinator for coaching development, I thought it would be a very good fit for me.”
The fishing enthusiast (he was a fishing guide at Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge during the summers while attending university) began this current stage of his life last November. “I am responsible for the certification of all hockey coaches in the province,” he points out. “In the past few months, we have also developed a high-performance coaching program as well as a mentorship program for women who are becoming coaches.”
As with all other activities in our province and across the country, both Hockey Manitoba and Hockey Winnipeg were shut down for a time due to the Covid lockdowns as well as operating with various health restrictions in place for several months more.
McArton notes that Hockey Winnipeg’s core of volunteers did a great job working within the guidelines. “I am very happy to report that this fall, we are back to full programming,” he adds. “I believe the community is better for it.”
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Mobile Casino Trends in 2026: Usage Statistics – What Casino Online Westace Says
Mobile technologies simplify everyday life. They are used for payments, regular conversations, photos, and even gambling. Sites like casino online Westace leverage modern trends and do everything possible to maximize engagement. Adapting familiar gambling games to smartphones makes them more convenient. Visitors can launch slot machines or other entertainment with just a few taps on the screen. Quick rounds let you instantly see the results and choose a different game type. Interactivity is the main approach to development in 2026.
Usage Statistics in 2026
Online casinos are using mobile development technologies to adapt gambling games to smartphones and tablets. Now, almost every user has the opportunity to launch games to test their features in a convenient format. Sites like casino online Westace are not far behind and adapt to various screen layouts. The latest industry news also indicates significant developments:
More than 75% of players use online casino services via mobile devices. Statistics show significant steady growth compared to the figure of 65% in 2023.
It is predicted that revenue from mobile casinos in 2026 will exceed the mark of $ 60 billion. The figure is two-thirds of the market. Thus, positive trends can be identified among gambling software developers.
The younger demographic aged 18 to 35 years old is the most active user of mobile devices. They have twice the level of involvement compared to other categories.
80% of new casino accounts were registered through mobile apps or mobile-optimized websites. This indicates their convenience and widespread use.
Mobile development is a priority for online casinos. Operators work closely with developers to adapt all games to the relevant requirements.
Features of Mobile Casino Growth
Mobile versions of sites like casino online Westace are dominating in 2026 for a reason. Players can enjoy games with real dealers even from small screens. At the same time, the broadcast quality remains at a high level without delays.
All games are designed for touch use. Players can easily use portrait mode and adaptive layouts to launch a comfortable gameplay format. Biometric login and two-factor authentication are essential tools that protect transactions and accounts from unauthorized access.
Mobile gaming encourages more frequent play in small sessions. For example, a player can play one or two games of baccarat, and then later return to play slot machines. All progress is saved on any device. Yes, a player can start playing on a smartphone, save the results, and return via a browser on a computer.
All Interesting Facts to Know
Recently, sites like casino online Westace have been paying more attention to mobility. For example, seasonal slots are launched first through mobile versions, and then move to desktop. Regulators have also introduced mandatory responsible elements for smartphone users for greater control. Mobile players spend 20% more time playing with real dealers. This emphasizes the close attention to interactive formats and communication.
Ultimately, mobile casino versions occupy their own niche in the industry. Most players use smartphones to play on the go and enjoy fast games. Developers adapt to these requirements and improve services, adding relevant options to games.
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Important Keno Rules: Explained by Casino Online Glorion
Keno is a lottery game that originated in China 2,000 years ago. At that time, it was called baige piao, which translates to “white pigeon ticket” in English. Keno rules on sites like Glorion Casino are similar to those of games like lotto. The game involves choosing numbers in the hopes that they will match randomly selected values. In this article, we will discuss the important rules of online keno.
Understanding Keno Rules at Online Casinos
Keno is a game of chance in which players select 1 to 10 numbers from a table of 1 to 80, similar to bingo. After this, the numbers are drawn. The player’s payout depends on how many figures they match.
In classic keno, the drawing is done using a ball machine. The same equipment is used in bingo and lotteries. The host randomly draws 20 numbered balls. Players win if at least one of their chosen numbers matches the dealer’s draw. The more matching numbers, the larger the payout.
Online keno is played using a random number generator (RNG). Keno payouts on sites like Casino Online Glorionare similar to those in the classic game. The differences are due to the drawing procedure and the properties of different versions.
After users select their 20 numbers, the gambling software publishes its 20 figures, which determine the winner. Payout amounts vary across platforms, so users should check them before playing.
Basic Keno Stages in Online Casinos
Users planning to play keno at sites like Casino Online Glorion should be familiar with the gameplay process. Typically, it includes the following stages.
- Select a keno card. The ticket displays numbers from 1 to 80.
- Choose your numbers. In different versions, users select 10, 15, or 20 numbers before each draw. Each number is called a ‘keno spot.’ You can set the same numbers for multiple draws.
- Check the payout table. In the online version of the game, the table appears after selecting the numbers. It displays information about the payout amount if you guess correctly. The more numbers you match, the larger the payout.
- Calculate your bet. Determine how much you want to bet on each draw. Remember that the bet size affects the final payout.
- Start the game. All the drawn numbers will appear somewhere on the screen. Users can also view the “cold” and “hot” keno numbers. Hot numbers have been drawn recently, while cold ones haven’t won for a long time.
- Match the numbers. Experienced players use the term “catching a spot” when their chosen number is drawn. The number of spots you catch affects your payout.
Keno at websites like Casino Online Glorion offers engaging gameplay. Players can get generous prizes. They should learn the rules, odds, and prize structures to make rational decisions and boost their chances of winning. Chase the thrill, but play it smart.
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Common Online Casino Mistakes To Avoid
Online casino games can be a brilliant way to bring excitement to life in your spare time. These games have become hugely popular in recent years, but you will find that people often make the same mistakes. These mistakes can lead to financial losses, cybercrime, and an inferior experience, so it is important to be aware of what these mistakes are so that they can be avoided. This post will outline a few of the most common mistakes people make when playing online casino games and explain how to avoid falling into the same trap. Interested? Keep reading to find out more.
Ignoring Terms & Conditions
One of the biggest mistakes players make with online casino games is ignoring the terms and conditions. You should always take the time to read through these, paying close attention to things like the conditions of bonuses and restrictions in withdrawals. This will help you avoid any nasty surprises when playing games.
Not Researching Casinos
Another common mistake people make is not researching casinos. There are endless options for online casinos, but not all are equal, and there are even many that are unlicensed. Therefore, you need to research casinos and find one that is fully licensed and has positive reviews. The best casinos will have a massive selection of games to choose from, including blackjack online. A wide selection of games means it is hard to get bored, and you can always find something to play.
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Chasing Losses
One of the most dangerous mistakes people make is chasing losses. This is where players will attempt to win back the money they have lost, which often means betting larger sums. This is a dangerous tactic and a slippery slope, so it is important to be aware of it and take measures to protect against it. The best way to avoid chasing losses is to set a budget before each session – if you spend that amount, you need to be able to walk away.
Not Understanding Games
It is always important to have a strong understanding of the game that you are playing. This will boost your chances of winning and your gaming experience. Therefore, you should always read the instructions when playing a game for the first time. For strategic games like poker, there is a lot of information online that will help you get to grips with the basics and learn strategies to use.
Weak Passwords
Cybersecurity needs to be a top priority when it comes to online casino games. The top casinos will have strong cybersecurity measures in place, but you also have a role to play. It is important to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to prevent hackers. It is also smart to avoid having large sums held in your online account in case someone hacks your account.
These are the most common mistakes that you will want to avoid when it comes to online casino games. By avoiding these mistakes, you can improve your experience and enjoy the excitement that these games can bring.