The View - 227

1641 – People on the Move

There have been changes/movements within the gambling sector over the past few weeks.

• Ms. Cheryl Bortolussi - As we close out the year, it has been announced that Cheryl will be retiring from OLG cGaming Team after many years of services. Cheryl has been based in the Sault-Ste-Marie office.

• Mr. Sandy St. Germain - As we close out the year, it has been announced that Sandy will be retiring from OLG cGaming Team after many years of services. Sandy has been based in the Sault-Ste-Marie office.

I am sure you will join us in congratulating and wishing them well in their retirement and continuing success for the future as they begin to undertake this new stage in their lives.  

1642 – Mr. Jim Warren

It has been announced, on the 20^th December, that the Premier has appointed Mr. Jim Warren as Chair of the Board at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

He is entering this important role at a very critical moment within the Gaming Sector as it defines the scope of iGaming and sets a course to emerge from the Covid Pandemic. He brings to the post a vast knowledge and skill set, holding numerous senior positions throughout his career and operating his own Communications Company in recent years. Bringing all that experience to his new role will be critical as he forges a team to navigate the numerous challenges ahead that he will face.

In recent years, Jim has been a GR- Advisor to the CGAO. Some weeks ago he disengaged from the role and handed over all his files to our new GR-Advisor. Throughout his time with the CGAO, he always acted within the highest professional standards and always insisted that issues are looked at from both positions to forge a more informed direction/decision.

We, at the CGAO, wish Jim every success in his new and critical role as he works with the Executive Team to forge a path forward for the OLG for many years to come.   

1643 – cGaming – The Sector

The recent developments within the scope of the Pandemic have seen, once again, the need to deploy capacity limits and to restrict the sale and consumption of food and beverage within our venues. This ensures that while your guests are with us, they are retaining the use of masks at all times as a tool/defense against the spread of the virus.

Although this news was disappointing, it is understandable and our members are engaging and complying with the requirements as indicated. This has, in some cases, had local management reviewing their bingo offering and where it is deemed necessary make changes to ensure we can operate accordingly.

In line with the Provincial Government directive, our members are re-scaling their Holiday Promotional Programs, especially New Year’s Eve, to ensure we are acting in accordance with the directives and taking steps to ensure our guests are fully aware of those changes.

Although our overall trading outlook is still facing headwinds, we are managing to edge forward and keep cGaming activated and meaningful. This has really been through the hard work of our front-line employees and supported by our partners OCGA, OLG, Municipalities and AGCO. As we close out the year, we can be extremely proud of our collective achievement.

It is a reminder that the cGaming/Traditional Bingo Sector is a valuable platform for the various host communities we are located in. It continues to deliver meaningful and direct funds to our community based Charity Partners and we need to collectively continue this important work. 

1644 – iGaming and Single Sports Wagering

We continue to monitor and provide our members all the information around the developments of the province iGaming Platform through IGO (AGCO). If you have not signed up directly you can do this directly through the www.agco.ca and follow the links.

1645 – Health and Wellness

We remain mindful of our PlaySmart training and the role it now holds in the business, with the ongoing news on the changing face of the Covid Pandemic and understanding everyone reacts to the news bulletins/updates differently.

Our Team Members are keeping a watchful eye on Red Flag Behaviours and are aware that action is required to activate their training. Thus, our Team Members are engaging in a positive fashion when the time is right and through a professional lens.

As we edge even closer to the Christmas holiday period, we are being extra watchful on and for unwanted play in our venues. We recognize the importance of flagging this where and when it is identified. It is another example of our Chair’s [Mr. Tony Rosa] strategy of incremental progress on the PlaySmart program.

1646 – CGAO Office

Considering the ongoing developments within the Covid Pandemic and the need to be available to our members, it has been decided that the CGAO Office will remain open throughout the holiday period to support our members when and if required.

Finally, the staff would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a very happy and successful Christmas holiday period and continued success throughout 2022. As we move forward, we are sure that there are brighter days ahead for all.