Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), a gambling industry trade group, has appointed a new board member. Yesterday, Paul Burns was introduced as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the CGA. Mr. Burns has a vast experience in the gambling industry for approximately 20 years. The change will help the association to reach its goals to establish a stable and attractive gaming environment in Canada. Mr. Burns is to replace William P. Rutsey, former President and CEO of the CGA.
Mr. Burns is an important figure on the gambling scene. His rich knowledge of the gambling industry perfectly fits CGA’s ideology to actively participate in the expansion and evolution of Canada’s gambling industry. Board members believe that Mr. Burns is an invaluable asset for the association. The recently-appointed President of the CGA has a rich career portfolio.
He started his career as a senior policy advisor to the Ontario minister responsible for gaming and he was tasked with getting Ontario’s charity casino model and slots at racetrack program off the ground. Mr. Burns has 4 jobs listed on his LinkedIn profile, including Canadian Gaming Association, Office of the Mayor, City of Toronto and Knowlton Canada. He also played a key role in the creation of the CGA and has served as the association’s Vice President of Public Affairs since 2005.
Paul Burns Talks About Canada’s Gambling Industry Potential
In August last year, Mr. Burns told the reporters from the media agency Calvin Ayre that Canada is working its way to position itself as a preferred gambling destination. He explained that the Canadian gambling industry has a bright future. He elaborated that the Canadian government is joining powers with stakeholders to ensure the healthy growth of the gambling industry. Mr. Burns also explained the difficulties, which the Canadian gambling industry faces in its efforts to grow.
According to Burns, Canada is faltering behind the increasingly rapid pace of technology advancement.The changing demographics is another challenge for the development of the gambling industry. Burns explained that millennials now outnumber baby boomers, discussing the topic in the context of the declining economics of gambling. Mr. Burns took the opportunity to mention that more private companies are interested in investing in Ontario gambling industry, since the Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced the start of its modernization procurement process.
Several months ago, the casino gambling industry in Canada has started to fall apart like a house of cards. Industry experts and international organizations scolded Canadian gambling watchdogs for failings in their anti-money laundering controls. The money laundering scandal involving Richmond’s River Rock Casino was a heavy blow to Canada’s reputation. Currently, the British Columbia government is working on busting the sophisticated money laundering scheme that plagued Canada’s casino gambling industry.
