BCLC CEO Jim Lightbody Steps Down
The Canadian provincial lottery operator, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), has revealed that Jim Lightbody stepped down as its chief executive and president in December 2021, following a two-year period of medical leave. The BCLC will now begin a global recruitment effort in order to find a permanent replacement — in the meantime maintaining an interim president.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) revealed in December 2021 that Jim Lightbody is stepping down as its chief executive and president.
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Lightbody First Joined BCLC in 2001
The lottery operator of the Canadian province of British Columbia, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), revealed in December 2021 that long-time president and chief executive Jim Lightbody would be stepping down from his roles, following a two-year period of medical leave. Following a cancer diagnosis, Lightbody went on medical leave in September 2019. He will now leave both roles but will still officially remain on medical leave from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).
Lightbody has had a long stint at the BCLC, initially joining the corporation in 2001 and first serving as vice president of lottery gaming and vice president of casino and community gaming, before moving onto the role of president and CEO in 2014.
As is somewhat standard industry practice, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation will now commence a global recruitment search in order to find a permanent replacement for Lightbody.
Lynda Cavanaugh, who has actually served as both interim president and chief executive since January 2021, will continue to serve these roles on a temporary basis until a permanent appointment is finalized.
Lightbody’s Contribution to BCLC Celebrated by Former Colleagues
In his departing statements, former British Columbia Lottery Corporation president and chief executive Jim Lightbody thanked all his colleagues for their support but said it was time for someone new to take the torch:
“I would like to thank everyone for their support, it has been truly humbling. It was an honour to be BCLC’s CEO; however, it’s time for someone else to lead the company as I look forward to my next chapter.”– Jim Lightbody, Former President and Chief Executive, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)
Board chair of the BCLC, Greg Moore, who served as interim president and CEO before Lynda Cavanaugh took on the roles, praised Lightbody’s leadership skills and entrepreneurial mindset, wishing him a speedy recovery:
“Known for his strong leadership that focuses on people and an entrepreneurship approach to business, Jim has made countless contributions to BCLC – and its employees – through the course of his career with the organization. On behalf of the board of directors and everyone at BCLC, we wish him the very best as he continues his road to recovery.”– Greg Moore, Board Chair, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)
The news of Lightbody’s departure arrived shortly after the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) announced the appointment of Dan Beebe as interim chief operating officer in October 2021, following Brad Desmarais revealing that he would be retiring from the role.
Beebe previously served as director of lottery strategic development at the BCLC. He is now serving as interim COO while a more permanent replacement for Desmarais is looked for.
British Columbia Exceeded $25m in Single-Event Bets in November 2021
In November 2021, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) came out with some encouraging news: British Columbians had placed over $25 million (£14.7m/€17.3m) in single-event sports bets via its PlayNow.com website.
This record result arrived merely two months after the official launch of legal and regulated single-event sports betting in Canada. Bill C-218 was unanimously passed through the country’s senate in June 2021 and was first reintroduced into the Canadian parliament in November 2020. The most popular sport British Columbian sports bettors wagered on was the American National Football League (NFL), with the number of NFL wagers rising by an impressive 97% during the first seven weeks of the 2021 NFL season.
Interim CEO and president Lynda Cavanaugh emphasized the symbolic importance of such results, stressing that British Columbian sports fans now had a safe and secure environment to place wagers in:
“This is a significant milestone for BCLC that demonstrates further how PlayNow.com is well positioned to provide highly entertaining and engaging sports betting in a safe and secure environment.”
Results of Loto-Québec Audit Unveiled in June 2021
Earlier in 2021, the official lottery of the Canadian province of Quebec, Loto-Québec, was subject to an independent audit looking into claims of money laundering in casinos and gaming halls throughout the province.
In June 2021, Loto-Québec released a statement welcoming the results of the audit, asserting that it had already begun implementing the recommendations outlined in the audit.
Loto-Québec President and CEO Jean-François Bergeron recognized the fight against money laundering is complex and ongoing, emphasizing that the lottery was in the process of adopting the measures outlined in the audit:
“We recognize that the fight against money laundering is a constant challenge, and we are pleased to note that several recommendations that emerge from the audit relate to measures already in place or in the process of being.”
