2021 was quite the year for the Canadian gaming industry and it’s wonderful to have so much to look forward to in 2022. The CGA would like to recognize everyone who contributed to the many successes: Bill C-218/single-event sports betting, helping Ontario’s iGaming market prepare to launch, getting our land-based casinos across Canada safely re-opened, hiring and creating and developing in anticipation of sports betting coming to several provinces in the new year…even more amazing that this was all accomplished during the ongoing pandemic. May your holidays be relaxing and we hope to be able to gather together soon!
Welcome to Our New Members!

 

Alberta Welcomes Bids for Sports Betting

On December 10, Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) announced it would be welcoming bids from prospective vendors that wish to enter the province’s sports betting market. Interested parties can apply through Alberta Purchasing Connection.

AGLC is working towards retail and online sports betting options with mobile extensions, to be established in 2022. As a first step in this process, AGLC is seeking two proponents to provide some flexibility and options in the first phase, and will consider additional opportunities as the market continues to develop.
BetRegal Unveils Sportsbook Lounge at the 108th Grey Cup

Congratulations to CGA members BetRegal for an unforgettable experience at the 108th Grey Cup with its BetRegal sportbook lounge. BetRegal is the exclusive sports betting partner of the CFL.

 

 
TheScore Bet Achieves GLI Certification of Platform
Penn National Gaming announced yesterday that its subsidiary (and CGA member) theScore Bet has obtained GLI-33 certification for its mobile sports betting and iGaming app and the sportsbook player account management platform it plans to deploy in Ontario. Securing GLI-33 certification satisfies one of the requirements theScore Bet must achieve before it may offer internet sports betting and iGaming as a regulated operator in Ontario.

 

Jim Lightbody Steps Down as President & CEO of BCLC

BCLC Board Chair Greg Moore announced this week that Jim Lightbody has stepped down from his role as the organization’s President and CEO. Lightbody has been on medical leave since September 6, 2019.  Although he is stepping down from the President and CEO role, he remains on medical leave from BCLC. The CGA would like to thank Jim for his leadership and tremendous contributions to gaming in British Columbia and across Canada during his time at BCLC. We wish him the best as continues his recovery.

In January 2022, BCLC will initiate a global recruitment search for a new President and CEO;  Interim President and CEO Lynda Cavanaugh will continue in her role pending the recruitment of a permanent replacement.
Jim Warren Appointed Chair of OLG Board of Directors

Premier Doug Ford has named Jim Warren, once a top aide to former Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty, to be the new chair of the OLG. Jim is an entrepreneur with 25 years of leadership experience in the casino gaming and lottery business, which includes serving as an OLG executive in 2006-2007. He is currently President and CEO of Riseley Strategies Inc., a consulting firm he founded in 2008 that specializes in strategic communications, stakeholder management and business development.

Jim has worked with some of the world’s largest gaming companies and has served as a top decision-maker at the City of Toronto and the Ontario Government. From 2008 to 2015, Jim was a board member and co-owner of Sonco Gaming New Brunswick, which developed, built, financed, and operated a casino and entertainment complex located in Moncton, New Brunswick. Jim is publicly known for his work as an on-air political analyst for Bell Media properties Newstalk 1010, CTV News Toronto, and CP24. He was a national columnist for Postmedia from 2015 to 2020.

 

Canadian Gaming Association Appoints New Chair & Vice-Chair

The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has appointed llkim Hincer, Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Hard Rock International, as Chair, and George Sweny, Vice-President, Compliance, Flutter Entertainment, as Vice-Chair of the CGA’s Board of Directors. 
  
The CGA thanks Carrie Kormos for her transformational leadership during her term as Chair, as the association is stronger now thanks to her hard work.

Ilkim and George will join Danielle Bush, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Robert Scarpelli, Managing Director, HLT Advisory Inc., who hold the roles of Corporate Secretary and Treasurer and together form the Executive Committee of the Board.

Canadian Gaming Summit is Coming to Toronto

The Canadian Gaming Summit is coming to Toronto! Mark your calendars for June 7-9, 2022 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. More information will be availble in early 2022.