New Appointment as Leader of Ontario Sports Betting and iGaming Regulatory Authority Announced
The Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has announced that Dr. Karin Schnarr will be taking over as the new CEO. The news came from the board of directors, and Dr. Schnarr is set to assume the role as of September 18, as stated in a press release by the AGCO.
The statement praised Dr. Schnarr's past positions, such as serving multiple ministries in the Ontario government as Chief of Staff and her recent role as Chair of the Ontario Government's Task Force on Women and the Economy. She expressed her gratitude and excitement about joining the AGCO in a LinkedIn post, succeeding outgoing CEO Tom Mungham.
"I'm aware of the big shoes I'm filling with retiring CEO Tom Mungham, but I'm excited to join a strong and thriving organization that puts consumer protection, efficient business practices, and a people-focused approach at the forefront," stated Dr. Schnarr.
Mr. Mungham's retirement was announced back in March.
Importance of This News
This news comes as the iGaming sector in Ontario experiences substantial growth. The AGCO is responsible for regulating sports betting sites in the province, which holds the unique position of being Canada's only competitive market for online sports betting. With more than 60 registered online casinos and betting platforms, Ontario's iGaming industry has seen significant success, with over $35 billion in total wagers since its post-Covid launch in April 2022.
The increase in sports betting advertisements has sparked some concerns among some Ontario residents, with worries about their potential impact on younger viewers. The AGCO has suggested a ban on athletes and celebrities in iGaming ads; however, no decision regarding the proposal has been made public to date.
The appointment of Dr. Schnarr may influence a decision on the advertising-related proposal.
Changes in Personnel at AGCO and IGaming Ontario
In addition to a new CEO, there have been notable personnel changes within the AGCO and its subsidiary, iGaming Ontario (IGO). Last month, IGO's chair, Dave Forestell, relinquished his position and now holds the same position at the AGCO, while IGO replaced him with Heidi Reinhardt, a former member of the AGCO board of directors since 2020. The IGO board stated: "iGaming Ontario welcomes Ms. Reinhart and expresses its gratitude to Mr. Forestell for his leadership of this agency since its inception."
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Source: www.casino.org
