VP Safer Gambling

Job Description:

VP Safer Gambling

GAME ON – OLG needs you

We’ve said GAME ON, and we mean it – OLG is rapidly transforming its organization to better serve Ontarians by delivering great gaming experiences through our digital, retail lottery, and land-based gaming channels. Over the course of fiscal 2023-24, OLG delivered a record $2.4 billion in net profit to the Province of Ontario. OLG is now expanding our horizons even further, with a new strategic direction that builds on successes to date as a world class gaming entertainment leader with a globally admired omni-channel platform.

We are ready to take this game to the next level and need a passionate VP Safer Gambling to provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing enterprise-wide safer gambling strategies that protect players from gambling-related harm and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. This role includes responsibility for OLG’s safer gambling governance framework, policy and program development, player risk monitoring and intervention, PlaySmart programs, and oversight of related gaming integrity controls. The role also supports Service Providers with the tools, programs, and guidance needed to meet compliance obligations effectively. The VP will play a key role in the continuous improvement of enterprise controls that meet relevant regulatory standards, strengthen awareness of supports for at risk players, and reinforce accountability with employees.

YOUR ROLE IN THE GAME

Reporting to the SVP Corporate Affairs, you will be empowered to:

• Establish a comprehensive Safer Gambling governance framework, ensuring well defined roles with clear accountability, robust decision-making protocols, and effective oversight mechanisms.

• Lead the development and implementation of Safer Gambling policy and program requirements with support of  relevant OLG SMEs as necessary and appropriate to ensure consistency, regulatory compliance, and effective integration ins OLG’s product, channel, and marketing strategies.

• Lead OLG's PlaySmart program, growing awareness, educating players and service providers, and coordinating gaming tools.

• Lead the service agreement with the Responsible Gambling Council for PlaySmart Centres and lead the transformation of those environments to enhance integration with the broader player experience.

• Cultivate an OLG culture of accountability and vigilance in promoting safer gambling practice.

• Build and maintain partnerships with research institutions, treatment providers, and peer jurisdictions to inform evidence-based policy and reinforce OLG’s dedication to elevate its support to at-risk players.

• Manage Safer Gambling operational controls to ensure efficient design and data availability for Compliance, Internal Audit, and Risk functions.

• Guide the development and execution of enterprise player risk monitoring capabilities, including integration of behavioral data, rules-based detection, and manual review processes to identify players at elevated risk.

• Provide strategic oversight over a proactive outreach function to engage at-risk players with targeted messaging, support, and referrals, in alignment with risk thresholds and external best practices.

• Lead all aspects of improving OLG’s self-exclusion programs, integrate with Ontario’s Centralized Self-Exclusion system, and use facial recognition technology for enforcement where applicable.

• Provide overall business ownership for the iTrak program, including system administration, data quality, and ongoing upgrades in support of self-exclusion, trespass decisioning, and risk behavior tracking.

• Lead cross-functional teamwork on gaming integrity oversight, including alignment with surveillance, compliance, and enforcement activities in partnership with Legal, Security, and external agencies

• Serve as business owner for the Safer Gambling technology roadmap. Drive prioritization, backlog, and strategic direction in partnership with Enterprise Technology and Digital to enable scalable, user-centered, and data-enabled program delivery.

• Chair the Ontario Trespass Committee and coordinate enterprise-wide processes for evaluating and applying trespass decisions based on program and legal risk criteria.

• Ensure OLG maintains all required regulatory attestations and third-party certifications related to Safer Gambling, including RG Check and World Lottery Association standards.

• Provide SME advise and support to OLG in high-profile regulatory, legal, and public accountability contexts, including in appearances before oversight bodies, legal proceedings, and in responses to media inquiries concerning Safer Gambling.

• Serve as the safer gambling subject matter authority to the Governance and Social Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors, providing regular reports, updates, and accountability for Safer Gambling strategy and outcomes.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY

Work Experience: 12–15 years of senior leadership in social responsibility, gaming, public health, compliance, or public sector operations. Proven track record to lead outcomes-focused enterprise programs and work collaboratively and effectively with cross functional teams, regulators and government stakeholders. Experience handling sophisticated reputational and operational risks. Skilled in applying analytics and coordinating controls that support compliance, audit, and risk functions

Knowledge: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or equivalent experience preferred in business, public health or policy, social work social sciences, psychology, data science or a related field. Strong understanding of safer gambling frameworks, behavioral analytics, regulatory compliance, and gaming integrity. Familiarity with Ontario’s gambling model. Including AGCO, COSA, and Conduct and Manage. Knowledge of player risk analytics, data tools, and experience collaborating with analytics, technology, and compliance teams. Awareness of risk management and internal audit principles.

Skills: Program design, implementation, and operations. Strategic planning, evaluation, and cross-functional leadership. Data literacy and ability to apply insights to decision-making. Excellent judgment in regulatory and reputational sensitive contexts. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, board reporting, and use of research to inform strategy.

Negotiation and Influence: ability to negotiate and influence effectively while being open to perspectives and building positive relationships

Strategic Thinker: strong strategic and critical thinker with ability to delve into unique challenges and find creative solutions

Collaboration: Collaborate with OLG’s Board of Directors, CEO office, Corporate Affairs, Customer Care, Compliance and Investigations, Legal, Lottery, Digital, Gaming, AGCO iGaming Ontario, Ministry of Tourism, Service Providers, World Lottery Association, Responsible Gambling Council, CAMH, GREO, Connex Ontario, treatment providers, law enforcement, academic institutions, and peer gaming jurisdictions.

Integrity and Trust: do what's right and operate with transparency and openness

Licenses, Registrations, Certificates:

AGCO Category 1 Gaming Assistant Registration (Initiated at offer stage - employment is conditional upon obtaining and maintaining this license)
 

PERKS OF JOINING OUR TEAM

• Part of a Bigger Picture: socially responsible company that gives back all its profits to the province and people of Ontario

• Flexible Work Environment: to help balance both work and life

• You Matter: family friendly work practices and hybrid work

• Freedom to Innovate: supports new and better ways to be successful

• Be your Authentic Self: environment that values diversity as a source of strength

• Learning Galore: 24-7 access to robust online learning programs 

• Public Service Pension Plan: participate in a major defined benefit pension plan sponsored by the Government of Ontario

• Variable Pay Program: performance-based incentives to share in our success (Permanent OLG Employees Only)

Learn about OLG – GAME ON!

OLG’s purpose is to contribute to a better Ontario by delivering great entertainment experiences for our customers. We are a multi-billion-dollar organization with a wide array of business lines including, lottery, land-based casinos, digital lottery and casino, horseracing, and charitable gaming. OLG is amidst a massive transformation focusing on being customer obsessed and bringing our digital business to a whole new level.

The key to our success is our people. Our culture will be grounded in true, positive partnerships that embrace trust, clarity, and openness in all that we do. We are supporting and empowering employees and teams across the organization through greater accountability, leadership development and growth opportunities. OLG is embracing more flexible work options and family friendly work practices including hybrid work.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential elements of our culture and cornerstones of the Five Truths that OLGers Live by.  At OLG, our employees have the space to be themselves and use their perspectives and skills to benefit the people and the Province of Ontario.

While we are re-shaping and growing our business, we are unwavering when it comes to living our purpose, and ensuring our business delivers meaningful benefits for the people of Ontario. OLG’s net profits are reinvested back into the province, contributing to the quality of life for Ontarians.

To learn more about OLG go to our website at  www.olg.ca  

We look forward to hearing from you, interested applicants please apply online by May 22, 2025.

OLG is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Please contact Human Resources at careers@olg.ca if you require accommodation at any time throughout the hire process.

We thank you for your interest in this opportunity; however only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

#LI-Hybrid

Personal information is collected by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG) and/or its third party service provider(s) under the authority of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Act, 1999, SO 1999, c 12, Sch L and the Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 41 (as amended) and will be used for the purpose of determining qualifications for employment with OLG and for recruitment modernization initiatives. The information will be managed in accordance with all applicable laws, OLG’s Protection of Privacy Policy (the Policy) and related policies and procedures. For any questions about this collection, please contact careers@olg.ca, 800-70 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 6V2.