Applied Research Lead
With 10+ years of gambling research experience, Melissa is committed to preventing and reducing gambling-related harms with Focal.
- melissa.salmon@focalresearch.com
- +1 902 454 8856
- 7071 Bayers Rd Suite 309, Halifax, NS, B3L 2C2
Dr. Melissa Salmon is the Applied Research Lead at Focal Research. She has specialized in the field of gambling studies for 10 years, with a background in psychological research and knowledge mobilization to guide her work. Throughout her career, she has led several research and evaluation initiatives focused on preventing and reducing gambling-related harms, and works with a variety of national and international stakeholders in the gambling field to achieve this common goal. At Focal, Melissa leads and supports a number of applied research projects, with a focus on disseminating this impactful work to inform safer gambling programming and help close the gap between research and practice.
Team Members
Our Solutions
Prevent
Focal Prevent is a real-time risk detection system that identifies at-risk customers through live player data alerts, integrates with operator systems to support proactive, data-driven safer gambling, and enables operators to act early to reduce harm and meet compliance requirements.
Learn More
GO
Focal GO is a mobile app that gives staff real-time access to alerts, risk insights, and logging tools on the floor. It connects directly to Focal Prevent for seamless safer gambling delivery, and assists teams in taking timely, informed action without leaving the venue floor.
Learn More
Assist
Focal Assist is an anonymous mobile-based interactive tool for customers. With anonymous 24/7 access to 3rd party validated safer gambling tools, education and direct links to support.
Learn More
Care
Focal Care is a training system that equips staff with the skills to engage customers and use the Focal Prevent dashboard effectively. It includes role-based modules, system walkthroughs, and live or virtual training, and supports frontline teams in delivering consistent, confident safer gambling interactions.
Learn More
Comply
Focal Comply is a bespoke set of products and services to support operators and regulators in operationalizing and monitoring data for safer gambling effectiveness.
Learn More
Research
At the heart of Focal is our research into the prevention of gambling harms. We continually conduct research to inform best practices and to develop tools for risk management and player protection.
Learn More
