Just this week, Great Canadian Entertainment Corporation, Ontario’s leading land casino operator, announced two important executive appointments. First, Ron Urquhart, who is currently the vice president of Toronto’s metropolitan operations, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. 릴게임 Then, Gavin Whiteley was named the company’s Chief Marketing Officer.
Great Canadian Entertainment was founded in 1982, and the company has since managed to become a leading operator in the country. Currently, the company oversees 25 gaming, entertainment and hospitality properties in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. And it supports more than 1,400 charitable and non-profit organizations through the PROUD program.
As already stated, the GCE promoted Urquhart, the current Executive Vice President of Toronto Metropolitan Operations, to COO and appointed Whiteley as CMO. Both of them will be working in the company’s office in Toronto, Ontario. Their appointment follows the company’s CEO announcement in November 2022.
Matthew Anfinson, the company’s CEO, shared that he was excited to welcome Urquhart, who began his career at the company as a summer student in college, as his new COO. He has served as a senior leader in several divisions and helped the company expand Ontario and develop pickering casino resorts and casino woodbine.
Mr. Urquhart is from Nova Scotia and has been a member of the company since 2001. He started with a senior position in the casino division of the company in North Carolina. In 2016, he moved to Ontario, where he led the company’s Shoreline Casino Belleville, then was promoted to vice president of Ontario operations, and was promoted to executive vice president of GTA operations.
Meanwhile, Mr. Whiteley joins Caesars Entertainment’s GCE, which was responsible for overseeing the game industry’s largest loyalty program and online partnerships for more than 50 regions. Whiteley was born in Montreal and has been employed in numerous marketing and entertainment leadership roles for Caesars and Cirque du Soleil. He received a master’s degree in music from McGill University.
In the summer of 2022, the company, formerly known as Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, rebranded as Great Canadian Entertainment. The company’s decision came at the right time, as casino operators wanted to strengthen their presence both online and in person, and introduce new industry standards. The company has also reworked its loyalty program.
In October, the company reached a significant milestone, becoming the first offline casino operator to introduce retail sports betting across real estate. In October, the company opened the Great Canadian Sportsbook at the Great Blue Heron Casino & Hotel, Pickering Casino Resort, Element Casino Brantford and Shoreline Casino Belleville.