AGCO board chair steps down after four years
Lalit Aggarwal announces his resignation with vice-chair Heidi Reinhart set to take over the role
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (ACGO) chair Lalit Aggarwal has resigned after four years at the helm of the Ontario sports betting and igaming regulator.
In a statement on the regulator’s website, the outgoing AGCO chair revealed he had decided to resign in order to spend more time with his family and focus on his business affairs.
Aggarwal will be replaced by ACGO vice-chair Heidi Reinhart, who joined the board in October 2020 before being made vice chair in September 2021.
During his time as board chair, Aggarwal oversaw the development and implementation of an online gambling and management structure and regulatory framework in preparation for the launch of the Ontario regulated market in April 2022.
He also implemented enhanced government practices and structures at ACGO, including establishing a number of sub-committees, playing a role in the development of AGCO’s subsidiary, iGaming Ontario, which serves as the conduct and management entity for all regulated gambling in the province.
In its announcement of Aggarwal’s departure, the regulator said: “The AGCO extends its sincere gratitude to Aggarwal for his years of strong and principled leadership and wishes him the very best in all of his endeavors.”
Aggarwal’s departure comes as AGCO is currently reviewing the 40 responses it received to a consultation on changes to its gambling advertising rules for operators in an effort to minimize harm to vulnerable and underage individuals.
Changes cover two parts of advertising focusing on both current practices and any future advertising by operators which skirts the line of appealing to underage individuals.
Firstly, AGCO seeks to create an obligation for both operators and suppliers to cease any current advertising or marketing utilizing either active or retired athletes.
Secondly, AGCO would prohibit the use of cartoon figures, symbols, role models, social media influencers, celebrities or entertainers who are “reasonably expected” to appeal to minors.
AGCO is looking to publish its revised best practice standards later this year, and should they be introduced, operators will be given three months to conform to the revised standards before they could potentially face any sanctions.