New Lottery Chief to Tackle Canada's Online Gambling 'Wild West'

MONCTON, NB – April 22, 2026 – The Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC) has appointed veteran public policy and gaming sector executive Molly Cormier as its new Executive Director, signaling a fortified offensive by provincial lottery corporations against the tumultuous and rapidly expanding online gambling market.

Cormier, who officially began her role on March 30, steps into the leadership position at a critical juncture for Canada's gaming industry. The country is grappling with the consequences of a post-legalization boom in sports betting, characterized by a deluge of advertising, the persistent operation of illegal offshore betting sites, and a growing public call for stronger consumer protections.

The Shifting Landscape of Canadian Gambling

The current regulatory battleground was shaped in August 2021 when the federal government legalized single-event sports betting. This change empowered the provinces to regulate the industry, but it also opened the floodgates. The most dramatic shift occurred in April 2022 with the launch of Ontario’s open iGaming market, which allowed private operators to compete with the provincial lottery corporation.

The economic impact has been staggering. In its 2023-2024 fiscal year alone, iGaming Ontario reported that total wagers topped $63 billion, generating $2.4 billion in gaming revenue from dozens of private operators. This explosion of activity brought with it an unprecedented wave of advertising across sports broadcasts, digital media, and public venues, raising public health concerns about the normalization of gambling and its potential impact on vulnerable populations, including minors.

It was this burgeoning, chaotic environment that led to the formation of the Canadian Lottery Coalition in 2021. The alliance, comprising the lottery corporations of British Columbia, Manitoba, Québec, and the Atlantic provinces, was established to defend the provincially regulated model, which funnels profits back into public services and prioritizes responsible gambling measures.

A New Leader for a Coordinated Offensive

Molly Cormier's appointment is a strategic move to spearhead this effort. She joins the CLC from Atlantic Lottery (AL), where she served as Director of Brand and Communications. Her resume showcases a unique blend of experience perfectly tailored to the coalition's challenges: deep expertise in public relations and policy within the regulated gaming sector, a history of government service with the province of New Brunswick, and a background as a journalist.

This combination gives her a nuanced understanding of the intersection between public policy, regulatory frameworks, and public accountability. Dallas McCready, President and CEO of Atlantic Lottery and a CLC Executive Board member, endorsed her appointment as essential for the challenges ahead.

"Molly brings the experience, leadership and judgment the Coalition needs as governments and regulators confront growing challenges around gambling advertising and consumer protection," McCready stated. "She understands the urgency of supporting player health, especially in the face of clear gaps in federal law and enforcement."

The Two-Front War: Legislation and Litigation

Under Cormier’s leadership, the CLC is advancing a two-pronged strategy to rein in the market: pushing for new federal laws while simultaneously pursuing legal action against illegal operators.

On the legislative front, the coalition is a vocal supporter of Bill S-211, the 'National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Act'. The bill took a major step forward on April 22, 2026—the same day Cormier's appointment was announced—passing its first formal vote in the House of Commons. The proposed legislation would compel the federal government to create national standards to restrict the volume and nature of sports betting ads, potentially limiting the use of celebrity and athlete endorsements that have become ubiquitous.

While that bill navigates the corridors of Parliament, the CLC has already secured a landmark victory in the courts. In May 2025, the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba issued a permanent injunction against the illegal offshore gambling site Bodog. The court ruled decisively that Bodog had no lawful authority to operate or advertise in the province, finding its activities violated the Criminal Code and constituted misleading advertising. The ruling, which forced the site to implement geo-blocking to prevent access from Manitoba, was hailed by the CLC as a crucial precedent that reinforces the authority of provincial regulators and could be applied in other jurisdictions across Canada.

The Coalition's Mandate and the Path Ahead

Cormier takes the helm with a clear set of priorities that reflect the coalition's core mandate. In her first public statement as Executive Director, she outlined her agenda.

"I am pleased to join the Coalition at a time when the need for clear, coordinated national policy to protect player health, especially among young Canadians, has never been greater," Cormier said. She emphasized her focus on closing gaps in federal law, tackling the continued spread of illegal online gambling websites, and strengthening collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders.

The ultimate goal, as framed by the CLC and its new leader, is to create a market where the lines between legal and illegal gambling are clear and unambiguous. For the provincial lotteries, this is not just about market share; it is about preserving a system built on a social-purpose mandate, where player welfare is paramount and revenues support community priorities. Cormier’s task is to navigate the complex political and legal landscape to make that vision a reality. Canadians should be able to clearly distinguish between legal, accountable gambling options and offshore sites that operate outside Canadian and provincial laws and public safeguards.