Martha Otton has announced that she will be retiring from her position with iGaming Ontario at the end of the year.
Currently an Executive Director, Otton previously held the position of Chief Executive at the iGO, but will now be retiring from the Ontario igaming regulator on 31 December 2024.
iGO has stated that Otton contributed to the introduction of the regulated igaming market in the Canadian province, leading the commercial entity which became iGO in February 2021, building a “value-driven agency guided by the vision to lead the world’s best gaming market”.
Heidi Reinhart, Chair of iGO’s Board of Directors, commented: “On behalf of the entire board, I extend my sincere appreciation for Martha’s leadership of iGaming Ontario.
“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.”
Throughout her career, Otton has worked across Ontario’s alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors.
She previously held the position of Chief Strategy Officer at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, where she was responsible for the agency’s strategic plan and helped implement AGCO’s expanded mandate over horse racing and cannabis.
Otton was also a Director General at Legal Aid Ontario and held several roles at the Ministry of the Attorney General, including Acting Assistant Deputy Attorney General of the Agency Relations Division and Director of Corporate Policy and Agency Relations.
Dave Forestell, AGCO Chair and former Chair of iGO, said in a LinkedIn post: “One of the most important decisions any board of directors makes is to pick a leader of the organisation. As the former Chair of iGaming Ontario, I had the rare privilege to participate in the selection of Martha Otton to not just lead, but to build the organisation from scratch.
“Martha Otton built a tremendous team of professionals, stood up and brand new industry in the province, and oversaw growing revenue for the government while keeping players safe.
“Early on, iGaming Ontario set a mission to make Ontario the best gaming jurisdiction in the world. It sounded audacious, but Martha Otton and the team at iGaming Ontario made it happen.
“Today, Martha announced her plan to retire at the end of the year and I wanted to join so many others in congratulating her on her tremendous success. And, on a more personal note, share what a pleasure it was to work together. I learned so much along the way from Martha.
“Thank you for your many years of service to the people of Ontario”.
The Canadian Gaming Association has also commented on Otton’s decision to retire, thanking her for her work and how she has shaped the future of igaming.
“On behalf of the CGA, its board and members, we thank Martha Otton for her hard and tenacious work in launching Canada’s first regulated gaming jurisdiction and for helping to grow it into one of the world’s most successful markets,” stated the CGA.
“Her retirement is well earned and she has our appreciation for her leadership and vision in shaping the future of igaming.”
iGO noted that its board of directors has begun the process of identifying its next Executive Director.
