He led the organization's creation while he was chief of staff to the Ontario attorney general
iGaming Ontario has appointed Joseph Hillier as its new president and chief executive officer as of September 8.
He succeeds David Smith, who led the organization as interim president and chief executive officer following Martha Otton’s retirement.
While serving as chief of staff to Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey, Hillier spearheaded the birth of iGaming Ontario. He also oversaw the development, launch, and implementation of the first private sector-driven igaming market in the country.
In 2021, Canadian Lawyer listed him among the top 25 most influential lawyers in the country, recognizing his contributions in this role.
Hillier joins iGaming Ontario from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, where he was chief strategy officer and corporate secretary. In this role, he delivered strategic and regulatory initiatives in the alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors. He also held positions in the financial and legal services industries for over 10 years.
As iGaming Ontario’s president and chief executive officer, Hillier is expected to build on the success of the province’s igaming market. He is also set to implement an anti-money laundering system for operators, and a centralized self-exclusion platform for Ontarians.
iGaming Ontario is a Crown agency under the minister of tourism, culture and gaming. It coordinates with the AGCO and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Its board of directors is led by chair Heidi Reinhart, who is a Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP partner specializing in securities and corporate law.
Other board members include the finance chair of the audit and risk management committee Michael Bunn, who stepped down as a principal of Grant Thornton LLP; corporate affairs committee chair Meaghen Russell, a Dentons Canada LLP partner; John Trivieri, who is senior vice president and chief risk officer at Meridian Credit Union; and Jan Westcott, former Spirits Canada president and CEO.
