Great Canadian Selects New CEO
Prominent Canada-based retail gaming and entertainment company Great Canadian Entertainment has revealed that it has appointed Matthew Anfinson as its new chief executive, with the news arriving shortly after confirmation that former CEO Anthony Rodio is set to retire. Anfinson previously served as chief operating officer at Great Canadian and he is now moving into the new position.
Great Canadian Entertainment has chosen Matthew Anfinson as its new chief executive, with the appointment arriving soon after confirmation that former CEO Anthony Rodio is set to retire. ©jameswheeler/Pixabay
Anfinson Has Spent Over Seven Years Working at Caesars Entertainment
In what is sure to be a major update for Canada’s growing gambling market, the land-based gaming and entertainment business Great Canadian Entertainment has announced that it has selected Matthew Anfinson as its new chief executive, following shortly after the confirmation that former CEO Anthony Rodio is expected to retire.
Former executive Anthony Rodio has steered the business as CEO since May 2019, with the figure now set to step down from the role to enjoy his retirement. Having previously served as chief operating officer (COO) at Great Canadian since he first joined the business, Anfinson will move into Rodio’s former position.
Before he arrived at Great Canadian, Anfinson put in more than seven strong years with leading casino and sportsbook operator Caesars Entertainment, initially starting off as vice president and executive associate to the chief marketing officer, before putting in some time as the senior vice president of operations.
Anfinson also carries the experience of having served as vice president of finance at Harrah’s St. Louis, director of finance at Horseshoe Casino, director of finance at Caesars Atlantic City, and also working as a planning and analysis manager for Harrah’s Council Bluffs.
Anfinson’s Appointment Comes at Vital Time for Burgeoning Canadian Betting Industry
In sharing a statement on the topic of his appointment as Great Canadian Entertainment’s newest chief executive, Matthew Anfinson expressed his deep gratitude at being selected for the position:
“It is an enormous privilege to lead Great Canadian Entertainment, especially at this defining juncture of the company as we set a new industry standard for gaming and entertainment in Canada.”– Matthew Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer, Great Canadian Entertainment, Press Release
Anfinson went on to tout all of the operator’s upcoming retail offerings for its loyal Canadian fanbase, driving home the point that Great Canadian will continue to improve the customer experience moving forward:
“We are incredibly excited to bring to market what will be among the premier casino resorts in North America in 2023 with the projects currently underway at Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Woodbine, as well as new innovative programs and initiatives that will drive growth at our other properties and in local communities across the country. We remain focused on continuously enhancing the overall experience for our guests, delivering long-term growth and value creation for our stakeholders, and doing so in a socially responsible way.”
Meanwhile, Great Canadian chairperson Alex van Hoek took to boasting about Anfinson’s extensive experience in the industry, while also taking a moment to thank outgoing chief executive Anthony Rodio for his dedicated service to the company:
“We are pleased to name Matthew as CEO, whom we are excited to have led Great Canadian in its next chapter. Matthew is a North American leader in our industry with a deep understanding of the business. On behalf of the board, the management team and Great Canadian’s team members, we also want to thank Tony for his outstanding leadership. Tony has guided the company through a transformative period of recovery and growth, while navigating the industry-wide challenges of Covid-19. His contributions to Great Canadian will be valued by the Company, our team members and our guests for many years to come.”– Alex van Hoek, Chairperson, Great Canadian Entertainment, Press Release
American Gaming Association Selected Maureen Beddis for Executive Team in October 2022
In other recent executive-level shakeups, one of the United States’ most prominent organizations dealing with gambling awareness, The American Gaming Association (AGA), announced in October 2022 that it was appointing Maureen Beddis as the latest senior vice president of membership and events.
As part of her new role which began on October 31st, 2022, Beddis is now responsible for heading the AGA’s member relations, business development, and events. She was tasked with many of the same roles when she spent 16 years with the Vision Council, where she took up the position of executive vice president of membership and strategic initiatives.
The American Gaming Association’s (AGA) president and chief executive Bill Miller honed in on Beddis’ deep professional experience in accounting for why the association will benefit from her appointment:
“We’re delighted to welcome Maureen to the AGA at this critical time for our association and industry. Maureen’s career is defined by her ability to drive strategy, convene members and deliver results. Her significant experience as an association executive will bolster our already strong team and help lead our organization into the future.”
PointsBet Appointed New Canadian CCO Back in August 2021
And shifting back to Canada for a moment, sportsbook operator PointsBet revealed all the way back in August 2021 that it had selected Nic Sulsky as new chief commercial officer for Canada.
Prior to arriving at PointsBet, Sulsky was the former president of Monkey Knife Fight, which is a daily fantasy sports provider acquired by Bally’s Corporation in January 2021.
The hiring of Sulsky as PointsBet’s latest chief commercial officer represented the sportsbook’s first major senior hire in Canada.
