iGaming Ontario Executive Director Martha Otton to step down from position at year's end

Martha Otton has announced that she will be retiring from her current position as Executive Director with iGaming Ontario on December 31, 2024. Otton served for four years as the inaugural chief executive of the Ontario iGaming regulator.

As part of the province’s introduction of a competitive regulated iGaming market, Otton was appointed to lead the commercial entity which became iGaming Ontario in February 2021. In that time, she has built a value-driven agency guided by the vision to lead the world’s best gaming market, iGaming Ontario stated in a press release.

Otton's career has spanned Ontario’s alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors. Previously, she was the Chief Strategy Officer at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), responsible for the agency’s strategic plan and played a key role in the implementation of AGCO's expanded mandate over horse racing and cannabis. 

Prior to joining the AGCO, Martha was a Director General at Legal Aid Ontario and held a series of positions 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.

“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 testament to her visionary leadership and commitment to working with our operators and broader stakeholders,” said Heidi Reinhart, Chair of iGaming Ontario’s Board of Directors.

With Otton’s decision to retire, the Board of Directors will begin a process to identify the next Executive Director.

Dave Forestell, AGCO Chair and former Chair of iGO, said in a LinkedIn post: “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 also commented on Otton’s decision to retire, appreciating 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.”