"What makes BetMGM Canada special is the people. Watching that culture take shape, and knowing I played a role in helping build it, is something to be proud of.”
Jonathan Hugh Woodward Manager, Relationship Marketing
When I look back at the early days of BetMGM Canada, it was such a unique experience to have been part of something that was built from the ground up. In 2022, the digital space came to Canada, and Ontario became the first province to regulate online gaming. It marked a very exciting time — not just for the industry, but for those of us who had the chance to shape what BetMGM would look like in Canada.
I joined BetMGM right as we launched in Ontario. After spending approximately 15 years in land-based gaming in Ontario, the move into digital felt like a natural next step. MGM was a name I already trusted, and it was an easy choice to choose BetMGM as one of the best platforms that was coming into the digital space. At the time that I joined, I was the second VIP host for Casino, and none of us could have predicted how quickly things would grow.
In those early days, our entire Ontario operation fit into a small WeWork in downtown Toronto. There were only two Casino VIP staff and two Sports VIP staff, and everyone wore multiple hats. What made it special was not just watching the business grow, but seeing the team come together and build something meaningful. It was such a unique experience and so exciting to see the growth of BetMGM in Canada and being able to be on the ground and see it firsthand.
As we expanded, we moved into a permanent Toronto head office right on the harbor, and it quickly became the hub for our staff. The physical space mattered, but the culture mattered more.
Seeing the New Jersey office and experiencing that culture firsthand made a lasting impression on me. It was paramount to bring the energy and culture of the Jersey City headquarters back to Canada. Culture doesn’t happen by accident; it’s intentional. It was important for BetMGM Canada to execute an engagement strategy for our staff.
From our first team event to ongoing town halls, office lunches, and team traditions, the goal has always been connection. Today, we stay close through things like our Team Canada chat and a monthly call to connect with one another. These moments help us maintain a strong Canadian identity while remembering we are a part of the larger BetMGM team.
What makes BetMGM Canada special is the people. I don’t think there could be more accepting group of people that are from different areas and backgrounds, all working together across VIP, Compliance, Marketing, and Leadership. Watching that culture take shape, and knowing I played a role in helping build it, is something to be proud of.
As we look ahead, that same foundation is guiding our expansion into Alberta. As BetMGM goes into Alberta, what makes this moment important is not just launching in a new province, but bringing the same values with us. The goal is to build Alberta the same way we built Canada from the beginning — with people-first leadership, strong connections, and a culture where teams feel proud of what they’re creating together.
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