The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has announced the appointment of Lynda Cavanaugh as its new interim President and CEO.
Cavanaugh will temporarily replace Greg Moore, who has stepped down from his position as the company’s head as of today (22nd January).
The Lottery has been preparing to hire a new CEO since last November when Moore officially handed in his notice at the company.
Bringing experience to the BCLC
Moore’s departure means that his spell as the company’s CEO, which he had lend since August 2019, is now over. He has decided to instead pursue a new role in the private sector.
Cavanaugh has had a lengthy career in British Columbia within the public sector. She has managed various organisations in the Canadian province, as well as offering services to various communities.
Between 2011 and 2020, Cavanaugh worked for the Public Safety and Solicitor General and Ministries of the Attorney General. She was the Assistant Deputy Minister for both of them.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Canada, and the fact her role is temporary, the new interim CEO will work from her home in Sidney, British Columbia. Once the pandemic subsides, her time will be divided between the BCLC’s offices in Vancouver and Kamloops.
In its press release, the BCLC said the following.
“Cavanaugh joins BCLC following an extensive career in the B.C. public service, where she managed and led complex organizations that provided important services to communities across the province.
“She brings vast experience in leadership, finance, technology, infrastructure, and policy.”
BCLC wants single-event sports betting in Canada regulated
The BCLC manages online gambling, as well as land-based lottery, bingo and casino gaming in British Columbia. In the 2019/2020 financial year, it donated over $1.3 billion CAD to local communities, charities and other good causes.
The BCLC has also sponsored a bill that would legalise single-event sports betting in the country. Bill C-218, which was introduced in February 2020, was formally reintroduced to the country’s parliament in November.
Sports betting in Canada is legal, but only in limited capacities. Bets must include multiple selections, while each province determines whether or not online gambling is legalised within its borders.
The reintroduction of the bill was partially an attempt to boost revenue in the country, with the economy suffering turbulency at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns has also given his support to the bill. At the time of its reintroduction, he said:
“Amending the Criminal Code to legalize single-event sports wagering will provide provinces with the necessary tools to deliver a safe and legal option to Canadians while enabling economic benefits to flow to licensed gaming operators, communities, and provincial governments.
“I can’t emphasize enough how this small change to the Criminal Code would help communities recover from the economic devastation of the ongoing COVID-19 shutdown.”
