Each year at the Canadian Gaming Summit, the industry gathers to recognize the achievements and successes of its leaders. With the 2020 Summit postponed to June 2021 due to COVID-19, the award for Industry Leadership and Outstanding Contribution is being given out virtually at the CGA’s upcoming Annual General Meeting on November 24, 2020.

The Board of Directors and leadership of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) are pleased to announce that Jean Major, former CEO of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), is the recipient of the 2020 Canadian Gaming Industry Award for Leadership and Outstanding Contribution.

For more than two decades, until his recent retirement in September 2020, Jean Major has been a strong influence and leader at regulatory agencies in Ontario. With 35 years in the Ontario Public Service, Major spent 26 of them at the forefront of the gaming and racing regulatory agencies in the province, guiding and shaping a progressive regulatory framework that has allowed the industry to grow and mature, while setting a best-in-class standard for gaming regulation.

Major’s career in the gaming industry began in 1990 when he became the manager responsible for regulating charitable gaming in Ontario. In 1994, as Executive Director and CEO of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC), Major brought about significant changes to the regulatory framework governing horse racing through new legislation.

In 2004, Major was appointed CEO and Registrar of the AGCO – a role he held for 16 years, where he led significant regulatory changes to the alcohol and gaming industries in the province, including important changes to regulation and the development of a regulatory framework for lotteries and iGaming.

“It is a privilege to recognize such an exceptionally talented individual as Jean,” said Paul Burns, President & CEO of the CGA. “The Canadian gaming industry is indebted to him for the example he set with his forward-thinking vision as he evolved the AGCO into a modern regulator and strong defender of public interest.”

“On behalf of the CGA’s Board of Directors and the Canadian gaming industry, we congratulate Jean on this achievement and thank him for his years of dedication, collaboration and leadership in building the AGCO into a world leader amongst gaming regulators. Please join us as we wish him continued success into his new role as Chief Executive of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission,” said Carrie Kormos, Chair of the Board of Directors of the CGA.