The Alcohol and Gaming Commission's organizational structure is based on functional responsibilities with internal 'checks and balances' on the exercise of the agency's powers and authorities.

	The diagram to the left illustrates these relationships.
Click to enlarge image

Further information about the AGCO’s organizational structure follows:

Chair and Board    back

The Board of the AGCO is created by statute and has the functions and responsibilities that are assigned to it by statute.  Appointments to the Board of the AGCO are the prerogative of the Premier and are handled through the Public Appointments Secretariat.  The Chair of the AGCO, David Gavsie, provides leadership and guidance to the members of the Board.  The Board ensures the AGCO exercises its powers and duties in the public interest in accordance with principles of honesty, integrity and social responsibility. 

There are two major functions and responsibilities of the Board: Corporate governance - manages AGCO affairs in accordance with the law, and through the approval and monitoring of internal policies; and Adjudicative - the Board conducts appeal and disciplinary hearings and prepares decisions under the Liquor Licence Act and Gaming Control Act, 1992.  The Board may also conduct public interest hearings and review applications for a liquor licence. 

Board of Directors    back

Hearings Section    back

The section, reporting to the Chair, administers and coordinates Hearings before panels of the AGCO Board.  The section processes requests for Hearings, issues Hearing notices and summonses, coordinates the assignment of Board panels, arranges Hearing locations and distributes written Board decisions.

Chief Executive Officer    back

The Chief Executive Officer, Jean Major, under the direction of the Board provides leadership and direction to the staff of the AGCO.  The Executive Office shapes the values, principles and major operating policies of the AGCO, provides strategic direction and leadership to the various operating Branches of the AGCO, and ensures the AGCO fulfills its regulatory mandate in an effective and efficient manner.  Advice is provided to the Board, and the annual Business Plan for the AGCO is prepared following governmental fiscal and policy provisions and presented the AGCO Board for consideration and approval.

Centre of Gaming Excellence    back

The mandate of the Centre of Gaming Excellence is to research, develop, and support the implementation of regulatory best practices and gaming expertise, at the AGCO, as part of ensuring our gaming regulatory thinking and practice continues to reflect the very best from around the world. The mandate encompasses all of the AGCO's gaming business lines: casino gaming, lotteries, and charitable gaming. The Centre of Gaming Excellence will be looking closely at what is going on in other jurisdictions in Canada, North America, and around the world.

Corporate Policy and Communications Branch    back

This Branch leads the AGCO Business Plan development, handles issues management, develops strategic policy and acts as the governmental liaison.  The group also provides strategic communication advice and services to the AGCO by recommending and executing programs to manage media relations, handling stakeholder publications and AGCO websites, as well as builds an understanding and acceptance of organizational objectives, policy and program priorities through regular communication with staff.

Legal Services Branch    back

The Branch provides a broad range of legal services such as reviewing Notices of Proposals, representing the Registrar and Deputy Registrar at Hearings, providing advice and opinions to AGCO staff and on corporate issues e.g. Freedom of Information, drafting legislation and contracts, and assisting in policy development.  Counsel conduct prosecutions under the Liquor Licence Act, the Gaming Control Act, 1992, and prepare appeals to Divisional Court and to the Court of Appeals.

Corporate Services Branch – Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance & Administration   back

The Branch provides strategic advice and guidance and key support services, including information technology, human resources including the administration of the collective agreement, and finance and administration, to the AGCO and its operating programs.

Sector Liaison Branch    back

The Branch maintains relationships with stakeholder associations in the alcohol and gaming sectors, identifies policy issues and opportunities, and monitors emerging trends and regulatory changes in relevant jurisdictions.  The Branch also performs a public affairs role by conducting information and educational sessions, as well as consultations with stakeholders, on issues related to alcohol and gaming.

Licensing & Registration Branch    back

The Licensing and Registration Branch is responsible for alcohol licensing, lottery and gaming registrations.

Staff review and process applications for liquor sales licences, liquor delivery service licences, manufacturer’s and sales representative’s licences, and ferment on premise facility licences to determine eligibility for licensing.  In addition, the Branch is responsible for the administration of the Special Occasion Permit programme, and on-site and off-site retail store authorizations. 

Staff also review and process applications to determine eligibility for lottery licence events under Order in Council 1413/08 and registrations for lottery retailer and managers, gaming suppliers and gaming employees under the Gaming Control Act, 1992. 

Investigation and Enforcement Bureau    back

The Bureau is comprised of members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) assigned to the AGCO and AGCO staff, including liquor inspectors.  Criminal investigations are conducted related to gaming at casinos, charity casinos, slot machine facilities at race tracks, licensed gaming events, as well as in relation to lotteries managed and conducted by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).  Background investigations on individuals and companies seeking registration under the Gaming Control Act, 1992 occur and intelligence information is exchanged with other law enforcement agencies.  Twenty-four hour policing is provided at commercial and charity casinos.  Individuals and organizations that manage, conduct, or provide services to lottery schemes related to Break Open Tickets are monitored for compliance with the Gaming Control Act, 1992.

Liquor Enforcement Section  
This section of the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau works independently and in partnership with local police services to conduct Liquor Licence Act investigations at licensed premises, monitor liquor licensed premises for compliance with the Liquor Licence Act and investigate complaints/breaches of the LLA. Liquor inspectors are also cross-trained to inspect charitable gaming facilities for compliance, such as bingo halls and Break Open Ticket (BOT) retailers, and will now also be inspecting retailers that supply OLG lottery products.

Electronic Gaming Branch    back

The Branch ensures slot machines are managed with technical integrity, safety and security by testing and approving all new electronic gaming equipment, and conducting random and scheduled inspections of approved electronic gaming equipment including changes to installed equipment.  Inspections of slot machines, computer systems linked to slot machines and other gaming related systems occur on an ongoing basis.

Audit and Gaming Compliance Branch    back

The Branch ensures honesty and integrity of gaming and lottery operations by conducting scheduled and random audits for compliance with approved policies, terms and conditions of registrations, the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and the Liquor Licence Act.

Risk Management and Internal Audit Section    back

The section provides risk and control advice to AGCO management and staff to assist them in meeting their objectives/responsibilities.  The group is also responsible for the development and management of the organization's “risk framework”, which is a systematic approach to building and improving risk management capabilities on an enterprise-wide basis.  Additionally, they are responsible for ensuring an appropriate control environment exists within the organization, which demonstrates that the agency has structured risk governance and accountability mechanism formalized within its operations.

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