Ontario regulatory lead to step down after 17 years

Ontario’s sports betting and igaming regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has confirmed that long-standing CEO and registrar Tom Mungham will step down after 17 years.

Mungham, who joined AGCO in 2006, will leave the regulator in fall 2023, continuing in his role as CEO and registrar until a replacement is found by the board of directors.

A 33-year veteran of public service, Mungham previously worked in the Ministries of Correctional Services and Solicitor General before moving to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

He joined the AGCO as director of licensing and registration, and also served as chief operating officer for the regulator until 2020 when he was appointed to the registrar and CEO role.

During Mungham’s tenure, he led the significant modernization of AGCO’s regulatory framework, including the expansion of land-based casinos, the regulation of Ontario’s lotteries, as well as the merger of AGCO with the Ontario Racing Commission.

In April 2022, Mungham oversaw the process to begin Ontario’s regulated sports betting market, presiding over a successful launch of Canada’s first online sports betting and igaming market.

He also piloted the province’s amnesty on unregulated operators’ transition to licensed operators, a window which ended in October 2022.

AGCO chairman Lalit Aggarwal praised Mungham for his stance on reform, highlighting the online gambling launch and focus on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout his tenure.

“On behalf of the board and staff, I want to thank Tom for his tremendous contributions throughout his 17-year career at the AGCO and, most importantly, for his exceptional leadership as our registrar and CEO,” Aggarwal said.

“We extend him our deepest appreciation for his guidance in fulfilling AGCO’s mandate with unwavering commitment to the values of integrity, respect, accountability, and public interest. We wish him the very best for this next, well-earned chapter,” he added.