It seems like the time of hardships awaits Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), judging by the latest developments which saw the entire board of directors quit their jobs after chief executive Paul Godfrey had been fired.
This could lead to a serious delay in the Canadian province's entry into the online gambling market, scheduled for later this year or early 2014, opined some industry observers.
The nature of Godfrey's dismissal does not seem to be amicable – Godfrey claims that provincial finance minister Charles Sousa has not provided him with any reasons for his dismissal, but that the recently (February) appointed provincial premier Kathleen Wynne has indicated to him that she has a different strategy for the OLG, something which he does not believe Ontario can afford to embark upon.
On the other side, Sousa only issued a politically correct statement praising Godfrey's contribution in turning the OLG's fortunes around, but failing to provide any reasons for his dismissal.
According to Wynne, Godfrey's duties will be taken over temporarily by cabinet secretary Peter Wallace until a permanent replacement for Godfrey is found.
It is currently being speculated industry-wide that since the new head of the provincial government is not a fan of gambling, this may affect the already advanced plans in the cash-strapped province for an expansion of land and online gambling.
This could lead to a serious delay in the Canadian province's entry into the online gambling market, scheduled for later this year or early 2014, opined some industry observers.
The nature of Godfrey's dismissal does not seem to be amicable – Godfrey claims that provincial finance minister Charles Sousa has not provided him with any reasons for his dismissal, but that the recently (February) appointed provincial premier Kathleen Wynne has indicated to him that she has a different strategy for the OLG, something which he does not believe Ontario can afford to embark upon.
On the other side, Sousa only issued a politically correct statement praising Godfrey's contribution in turning the OLG's fortunes around, but failing to provide any reasons for his dismissal.
According to Wynne, Godfrey's duties will be taken over temporarily by cabinet secretary Peter Wallace until a permanent replacement for Godfrey is found.
It is currently being speculated industry-wide that since the new head of the provincial government is not a fan of gambling, this may affect the already advanced plans in the cash-strapped province for an expansion of land and online gambling.
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