New board to lead Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corp

The Canadian province of Manitoba has appointed nine new members to form the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation’s new board of directors.

Following the election of the NDP government in October, the new board has been appointed by Manitoba’s Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Glen Simard, and will be chaired by Jeff Traegar, president of a local United Food and Commercial Workers union.

As the Minister responsible for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL), Simard has mandated the board to “review the approach to online gaming to ensure it remains relevant to Manitobans” and “work collaboratively with stakeholders to lift the pause on gaming expansion”, which has been on hold since 2018.

He has also mandated the board to implement an IT modernization program that will be delivered “on budget and on time to allow the corporation to enhance the customer experience of both liquor sales and gaming activities.”

“This new team is up to the challenge of making sure that Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries can serve Manitobans as a successful, publicly owned Crown corporation,” said Minister Simard. “Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has a long history of delivering for Manitobans by creating good jobs while also investing in social responsibility.

“Together, we can repair the damage caused by the previous government’s lack of investment in Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and ensure it pays dividends to Manitobans for years to come.”

The provincial regulator is in charge of the province’s two land-based casinos, lottery, and the PlayNow iGaming site, which was launched in partnership with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) more than ten years ago.

Earlier this year the provincial regulator appointed Gerry Sul as president and CEO.

The new board of the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation comprises; Jeff Traegar (chair), Tim Comack (vice-chair, returning member), Michelle Cameron, Sarah Pinsent-Bardarson, Christine Van Cauwenberghe (returning member), Tannis Mindell, Josiane Kroll, Doug Ramsey and Sara Penner.