The iGaming Ontario board of directors announced former Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) executive Joseph Hillier as its new president and chief executive officer.
Hillier will become the second person to fill the position, taking over for Martha Otton, who was appointed in February 2021.
Key Takeaways
- Hillier has recently worked in several positions related to gaming.
- Ontario was the sixth-largest gaming market in the world in its first year of operation.
- Hillier will help create and enforce regulatory programs such as anti-money laundering and self-exclusion.
Hillier will assume his new roles Sept. 8. He last served as the chief strategy officer and corporate secretary at AGCO, where he executed key initiatives related to alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse race wagering.
Before that, he worked as the chief of staff to Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey, and had his hands all over the launch of Canada’s first private sector iGaming market and the creation of iGaming Ontario.
As a key official in the iGaming industry, Hillier’s primary job will be to continue building and regulating the province’s budding market.
His checklist includes creating anti-money laundering programs for operators and self-exclusion lists for Ontario-based gamblers, protecting them from the dangers of gambling addiction.
iGaming Ontario reports to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and works with the AGCO.
Big shoes to fill
Hillier is replacing Otton, who stepped down in August 2024. A search for her replacement began in November 2024 until Otton agreed to remain in her position until the end of March 2025.
“On behalf of the entire Board, I extend my sincere appreciation for Martha’s leadership of iGaming Ontario,” said Heidi Reinhart, chair of iGaming Ontario’s board of directors. “She has left an impressive legacy across her career, and in particular to Ontario’s gaming sector. Ontario’s competitive igaming market is a testament to her visionary leadership and commitment to working with our operators and broader stakeholders.”
Ontario launched its regulated iGaming market April 4, 2022. It opened the doors for both online sportsbooks and online casino operators to offer gambling games and odds to the public.
Just one year later, Ontario was the sixth-largest gambling market in the world, behind only the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, according to Vixio GamblingCompliance.
The next fiscal year proved to be even more promising, with the market generating $63 billion CAD ($45.8 billion) by the end of March 2024. That marked a 78% year-over-year increase.
Looking ahead
Despite Ontario’s near-immediate success as a gaming market, its early stages mean there is still a need for development.
Hillier’s tasks of developing, increasing, and enforcing regulatory procedures, such as the anti-money laundering and self-exclusion programs, will play a key role in shaping the powerful market.
