Some suggestions for iGaming Ontario’s incoming president and CEO
With the help of industry experts, some thoughts for Joseph Hillier’s To Do list when he arrives at iGO HQ on Monday. Speaking of iGO, we have July numbers, and BCLC responds to FINTRAC fine.
When Joseph Hillier begins his new role Monday as the president and CEO of iGaming Ontario (iGO), it’s a safe . . . er. . . bet he won’t have the benefit of a grace period.
As first reported by Gaming News Canada eight days ago, Hillier left his position as chief strategy officer and corporate secretary at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to succeed Martha Otton – who announced last summer her plans to retire as executive director and delayed retirement until the end of March. It remains curious that iGO’s board of directors – and its recruiting firm – needed more than a year to find a successor who was within arm’s length of the organization’s backyard and was a player in the creation of iGO back in 2021. Board member David Smith had served as interim president/CEO.
From the iGO news release:
Prior to the AGCO, [Hillier] served as Chief of Staff to Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey and led the development, launch and implementation of Canada’s first private sector-driven igaming market and the creation of iGaming Ontario. Joseph also spent more than a decade working in the financial and legal services sectors.
The Board of Directors looks forward to supporting Joseph as he leads iGaming Ontario to build on Ontario’s igaming market success and deliver on key priorities including an anti-money laundering system for operators, and a centralized self-exclusion platform for Ontarians.
To put more meat on the proverbial bone with regards to iGO’s key priorities, from the organization’s website:
Market management and contractual oversight
Build a leading igaming market in Ontario to help protect consumers and provide more choice and opportunities while creating a level playing field for new businesses.
Ensure that government obligations regarding revenue and financial reporting are met.
Ensure all igaming sites operating in Ontario’s regulated igaming scheme have strong player protections and responsible gambling requirements.
Oversee a rigorous anti-money laundering program.
We extended an invitation to Hillier though iGO’s communications department last week to be our guest on the Gaming News Canada Show when he’s ready to do so. In the meantime, we reached out to a half-dozen experts in Ontario’s regulated sports betting and online gaming industry to help us create a few thoughts for the new boss’s suggestion inbox when he moves into the office.
1. Pretty much everyone we contacted sounded the alarm for the long, long, long overdue AML and centralized self-exclusion programs.
We’ve heard crickets on an AML program. Speaking at the Canadian Gaming Summit in June, iGO’s board chair, Heidi Reinhart, said she couldn’t provide a date for the launch of the self-exclusion platform. Thirteen months ago, American company IC360 and Aussie business IXUP (since rebranded to Dataworks Group Ltd.) were awarded the contract to build it. It’s believed the lengthy delays resulted in the departure of a senior executive at iGO over the summer.
One source recommends staying the course with IC360/Dataworks, and the onus is on iGO to provide proper/speedy guidance. Another source suggests starting over again and using internal resources and sole-source suppliers to create the self-exclusion program by early 2026. And it was suggested iGO take the provincial government’s clumsy procurement process and toss it into Lake Ontario.
On the AML front, Kinectify won a Request for Proposal (RFP) bid to build a platform for both iGO and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). We’re told it’s been two years since iGO abandoned negotiations with Kinectify for the project, and OLG recently elected not to proceed with the project. Since then, according to two sources, Ernst and Young (now known as EY) has been brought on board and in turn has hired California company SymphonyAI to build the AML platform.
2. Speaking of AI. . . . The hunt for automated reporting by operators continues almost three and a half years since the Ontario market launched. Several sources have told us that iGO has really struggled with keeping up on technology and data.
3. For more than four years in this newsletter, we’ve highlighted the reluctance by leadership at both iGO and the AGCO to be leading voices on a market that - lack of AML and CSE platforms aside – receives high praise from gambling industry leaders around the globe. Hillier’s industry knowledge and experience will hopefully be amplified beyond industry summits/conferences/other events.
4. While we’re on the subject of communication, a request on behalf of our fellow media types for more transparency and details when it comes to iGO’s reporting on the market, particularly operator-specific data.
5. Stan Cho, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, announced at the Canadian Gaming Summit that his office would be leading a review of the province’s gaming sector – with a focus on enhancing efficiency and cutting red tape. Hillier should be an advocate for having that review completed ASAP.
6. Replace Mitch Davidson, the organization’s chief of staff who took his leave a month ago. Davidson, who has worked in both the public and private sectors (and left iGO briefly this past spring to work in the Douglas Ford government’s Cabinet office as senior director, special projects), was highly respected within the industry. The cone of silence around iGO unfortunately included the articulate and affable chief of staff.
7. Finally, it was suggested to your humble correspondent that the organization has a cumbersome combination of staff and outside consultants/contractors that requires some streamlining.
Ontario online gambling revenue tops $300 million for fourth straight month
July marked the fourth straight month, and just the fifth time in the 39 months since the market opened, that total Ontario online gambling revenue topped $300 million, according to figures released last week by iGaming Ontario.
Total July revenue of $311 million was up 1% over the total of $306.8 million in June. This despite online sports betting revenue declining another 10% from $58.4 million in June to $52.7 million in July after falling 21% from May to June. A dip in sports betting during the quieter summer sports schedule was anticipated.
Online casinos again drove the sector. In July, online casino revenue of $252.3 million was up 4% from June ($243 million) and was the second-highest total in provincial history after only the $259.8 million reached in May of this year. Online casinos took in 81% of total online gambling revenue in July.
Year-over-year, total revenue was up 28% from the $242.4 million reached in July of 2024.
In June, Ontario surpassed $8 billion in lifetime online gambling revenue. Through July, that number is now $8.338 billion.
Year to date, Ontario’s total online gambling revenue through the first seven months of 2025 is $2.2 billion. That’s up 32% over the first seven months of 2024 ($1.67 billion) and up 77% over the first seven months of 2023 ($1.24 billion).
Ontario is on pace to surpass $3.7 billion in total online gambling revenue in the calendar year of 2025. That compares to just over $3 billion in 2024, $2.27 billion in 2023 and $889 million in 2022 (only eight months).
BCLC suing feds over FINTRAC fines exceeding $1 million
The Canadian Press (CP) has reported that the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has filed a notice of appeal in Federal Court after being slapped with over $1 million in fines by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) related to alleged violations of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.
FINTRAC said the alleged violations occurred in the casino sector in Kamloops, BC and a penalty of $1,075,000 was set for the following violations:
Failure to report suspicious transactions.
Failure to develop and apply policies and procedures for high-risk clients.
Failure to take special measures for high-risk clients.
The CP story said, “The lottery corporation claims it wasn’t properly notified it was under examination, and was instead ‘ambushed’ by the anti-money laundering regulator without a chance ‘to correct Fintrac’s misunderstandings and misapprehensions’ about the casino and gaming industry.
“The appeal says FINTRAC zeroed in on one unnamed casino patron who had been identified as the highest-volume slot machine player in the corporation’s rewards program, and was flagged for ‘their frequent use of $100 bills.’ It says FINTRAC officials relied on an ‘irrelevant factor,’ by subjectively concluding that ‘the patron was simply gambling too much.’”
This case follows one a few weeks ago where FINTRAC fined the Canadian National Exhibition casino $199,000 for alleged violations of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws.
It makes us wonder if the increase in both the number and severity of FINTRAC fines is deserved or partly the federal government’s response to the Trump administration’s claims that Canada has been lax on addressing money laundering said to be funding the drug trade.
Stay tuned.
Northern Super League president Christina Litz on the GNC show
Christina Litz, president of the Northern Super League (NSL), Canada’s new professional women’s soccer league, was Steve McAllister’s guest on the most recent Gaming News Canada Show.
Litz talked about her journey from law school at the University of Manitoba and legal work at Bell Media and Telus before moving into the intersecting worlds of digital business and sports.
She also spoke about the challenges and opportunities in getting the new league off the ground and the NSL’s place in the long-awaited growth of professional women’s sports in North America.
You can listen to the show here via your favourite podcast app or watch it here.
ROGA’s partnership with RGC expands with U.S. certification program
The partnership between the Responsible Online Gaming Association and the Responsible Gambling Council adds another layer this week.
The ROGA announced Tuesday that the latest collaboration with the RGC will launch a U.S. certification program for “online operators promoting player well-being and responsible gaming”. The program will provide a “structured, data-driven approach” to evaluating operator practices in self-exclusion, marketing, staff training, player support tools and other areas.
“A sustainable online gaming industry must be built on evidence-based best practices, and this partnership with RGC will advance this mission by building a trusted and independent assessment to certify robust responsible gaming standards,” said Dr. Jennifer Shatley, who left the RGC as a Consulting Partner in March 2024 to become the U.S.-based ROGA’s executive director. “Our members are committed to long-term progress, and with RGC’s support, this program will serve as a clear signal that the industry is backing that commitment with actions that will allow players to make informed decisions about the platforms they use.”
From Sarah McCarthy, who replaced the retired Shelley White in January as the Council’s CEO: “We are proud to work with ROGA in setting a new benchmark for responsible gambling in the online space. The new certification program will build on years of evidence-based work and experience building RG Check as a trusted standard. By working together, we are creating a more transparent, accountable, and player-focused industry.”
People on the Move
On Labour Day, Karolina Pelc announced she’s walking away as Founder/CEO of BeyondPlay and as a Vice President at FanDuel, which acquired Beyond Play a little more than two years ago.
Will Golby joins the Board of Directors at Betty Gaming.
A week or so after joining us on the Gaming News Canada, Seth Young was named High Roller Technologies’ new Chief Executive Officer, with Ben Clemes stepping down after almost two years in the role.
Kevin Adams, who founded FTN Network in 2020, has launched StatRankings.
Ed Andrewes, the former CEO of Resorts Digital Gaming in Atlantic City, is appointed Managing Director of Partis Interim Management Services (PIMS).
Playmaker founder Brandon Harris is leaving the business – acquired by Better Collective a little more than two years ago – after a decade-long stint.
Anna Hargrave will step into the Chief Executive Officer’s chair at GambleAware at the end of September, replacing Zoe Osmond.
Former evoke executive Alexis Zamboglou is appointed Group Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at Allwyn.
Simon Zinger adds Chief Customer Care Officer to his Group General Counsel duties at Entain.
Michelle Unsworth, who has had stints at Veriff, Expedia Group and the Walt Disney Company, is appointed Chief People Officer at Kambi.
Toronto-based Bragg Gaming promotes Matej Filipancic to Global Sales Director.
Keith Whyte, the former Executive Director of the U.S. National Council on Problem Gambling, joins FanDuel as Strategic Advisor for Responsible Gaming.
Dutch gambling minister Teun Struycken resigns in protest of his government’s blocked sanctions against Israel.
Nolan Shulman has a new title at DraftKings: Vice President, Sports Product.
Alex Gonzalez departs Enthusiast Gaming after three and a half years, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer. Gonzalez’s departure is the tip of the proverbial iceberg, according to reporting Tuesday by James Fudge and Tobias Seck of The Esports Advocate.
Chad Millman bids adieu to The Action Network after eight years as Chief Content Officer.
VIP Play, a Las Vegas-based mobile sports betting and interactive gaming company, appoints Robert Rippee as Interim Chief Marketing Officer.
Dee Bain is calling it a career after almost 15 years as Senior Investigator with the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
After a decade, Joselyn Pineda is leaving her gig as FP&A Director at FanDuel.
Adam Davis, former Group Director, Media Partnerships at Activision Blizzard, is named Brand Partnerships Director at Overwolf.
Benjamin Morel, the former NBA executive and CEO at Six Nations Rugby, launches M2C Sports Advisory.
Lee Genier steps down as President of the CEBL Saskatchewan Rattlers.
Thad Sheely joins private investment firm Arctos as Operating Partner.
Havas Media Network names Andrea Isaac as Managing Partner and Alessia Grosso as Head of Strategy and Product for Havas Play North America.
Jennifer van Dijk is named President of NWSL expansion Boston Legacy FC.
Matt Caldwell departs the Florida Panthers and his President & CEO role to become the new CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.
The National Hockey League Players’ Association promotes Michelle Stajan-Strike to Director, International Strategy & Operations.
Matt Best leaves the Mayo Media Network as Director of Media Operations.
Beth Im-Jenkins joins On Location as Venue Manager - Vancouver for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
SBC brings together the entire gaming industry in the beautiful city of Lisbon for the annual SBC Summit, September 16-18.
More than 30,000 delegates will gather to explore a show floor packed with some of the greatest (and newest) products on the market and listen in to what the greatest conference program in tech and gaming has to offer, all set in one of the world’s greatest cities.
Click here to register now and use the code PARLEHPARTNERVIP for a 50% discount.
Classified (Jobs) Information
On the Home Front
iGaming Ontario is in hiring mode for a Senior QA Analyst.
The Office of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming is searching for a (much needed) Deputy Director of Strategic Communications.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is on the lookout for a Program Manager, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, and an Operational Performance Analyst.
There’s need of an Accountant at PointsBet Canada.
Betting Hero is looking to fill a Research Analyst position in Windsor, ON.
In Vancouver, Segev LLP is hiring a Junior Lawyer - Litigation & Business Law.
The Canadian Olympic Committee is searching for an Associate Manager, Events and Experential Marketing, and for a Manager, Marketing Partnerships.
Activist/Speaker Brock McGillis has need of a Social Media Manager.
Blue Ant Media wants to bring on board a Finance Manager, Global Channels and Streaming.
Red Bull has an opportunity in Toronto for a Manager, National On Premise Festivals and Events.
Your Toronto Blue Jays are looking for a Senior Manager, Strategy.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are in the market for a Fan Services Representative.
Wanted by the Western Hockey League: a Sponsorship Sales Manager.
WPP Media is on the hunt for a Coordinator, Content & Partnerships.
Cardinal Point Athlete Advisors requires a Client Relationship Manager.
The Investigative Journalism Bureau at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health is looking for a Multimedia Journalist.
South of the Border
Among the 135 employment opportunities at bet365 these days are some positions in Denver.
Amazon is on the lookout for a Senior Betting & Gaming Delivery Consultant – Advisory.
Sherwood Valley Casino in Willits, CA., is seeking a Chief Financial Officer – Tribal Casino.
In New York, Hard Rock Digital is hiring a Supervisor – Responsible Gaming, and there’s an Analyst – Responsible Gaming opening in New Jersey.
Also in the Big Apple. Fanatics needs a Senior Compliance Analyst.
Betr has an opening at its Miami HQ for a Senior Product Manager, Social Sportsbook.
Apple is searching for a Games Curator and Writer to work out of its offices in Cupertino, CA.
The New York Post has an opportunity for a Gambling Reporter.
Speaking of media, The Athletic has an 18-pack of openings these days.
SharpStakes is hiring in Michigan a Sales & Business Development Intern.
Yardbarker is seeking some writers of the sporting type.
There’s an opening for a Copy Editor at the National Hockey League.
The Dallas Stars are in hiring mode for a Social Media Manager.
Athletes Unlimited has a remote position in Chicago for a Video Producer.
The Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse team have director positions available in marketing, business development and ticket sales.
The Philadelphia Flyers are hiring an Account Executive, Membership Sales.
The NCAA has a trio of openings on its communications team.
Fortune has an opportunity in New York for a Senior Social Media Editor, Live Events.
Across the Ponds
LeoVegas Group has an opportunity in Stockholm for a Head of Compliance – Nordics.
G2 Gaming is looking for a Director of Business Intelligence to work in Malta.
Also in Malta, Pinnacle is adding a Live Tennis Trading Administrator to its team.
And there’s also this opening from Light & Wonder for a Commercial Account Manager in Sliema.
Kaizen Gaming is hiring in Bogota a Junior Pre-Event Trader (U.S. Sports).
PressEnter Group is looking for a Risk, Payments & Fraud Analyst.
EGR is hiring a Journalist to join its eGaming team in London.
A Junior Software Engineer position is available at Relax Gaming’s offices in Malta.
The International Cricket Council is hiring a Manager – Brand Licensing for its Dubai offices.
Reading and Reflection
1. Some scoopage from CNBC’s Contessa Brewer on Tuesday morning that Underdog Sports and Crypto.com are getting together to offer sports prediction markets in 16 states south of the border.
2. ICYMI, the American Gaming Association figures some $30 billion in legal wagering will happen on the 2025 NFL season.
3. Last week, the City of Los Angeles filed an unprecedented lawsuit against igaming operator Stake.US and its owners along with other parties.
4. Anna Betts reported for The Guardian on a new study by researchers at the University of Bristol around marketing by gambling operators during last year’s Stanley Cup final and NBA Finals.
5. On ESPN.com, Paula Lavigne and Shwetha Surendan took an X-Acto knife to conspiracy theories involving NFL officials.
6. The President and CEO of the Cannabis Council, in an op-ed for the Toronto Star, had some thoughts for the future of the industry.
7. The California man found guilty of running an illegal sportsbook, filing a false tax return, and money laundering was sentenced to 12 months plus one day in a federal prison.
8. Yahoo Finance business scribe Jake Conley dug a little deeper into the partnership between FanDuel and Robinhood.
9. You’ll need a subscription, but The Economist also shone a light on the sports betting/predictions debate.
10. Geoff Zochodne has the latest on the reaction by Illinois sportsbooks to the state’s tax hike.
11. Tom Nightingale has the deets on a partnership between Caesars and Evoplay that will add content to Caesars’ three igaming casino products in Ontari-ari-ari-o.
12. Scott Longley reports in Earnings+More that the analysts at Jefferies aren’t all a flutter about the prediction markets’ foray into sports.
13. Sonja Lindenberg covered research from GambleAware showing children and young people in the UK having access to gambling content online at “unprecedented levels”.
It appears Polymarket will be allowed to do business once again in the U.S. of A. And, according to reporting by Brian Pempus of Gambling Harm, NFL star Saquon Barkley is one of the company’s investors.
Last but certainly not least, the farewell address from departing U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) commissioner Kristin Johnson is reading of the worthwhile sort.
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