Details On AGCO Restructuring

On December 31, 2018, the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario’s Racing Operations Branch (Racing Officials and Racing Investigators) was integrated into the AGCO’s Regulatory Compliance Branch (RCB).

This integration helps to support the move to a new organizational structure within the RCB -- two cross-functional Regulatory Compliance teams led by RCB Directors Rob McKinney and Brent Stone.

Under this new structure, a Senior Manager will oversee the activities of the Racing Officials and coordinate racing compliance and medication control efforts. This role will also oversee provincial programs and stakeholder management, as well as play a key role on the Racing Reform project and Racing’s integration into iAGCO.

The Senior Manager of Racing and the Senior Manager of Veterinary Services will have a dual reporting relationship to both of the RCB Directors.

RACING INVESTIGATORS WILL NOW BE KNOWN AS COMPLIANCE OFFICIALS

As part of this restructuring, Racing Investigators will be part of the first group of AGCO team members to move into the new role and title of Compliance Official. In order to ensure the AGCO provides a compliance function that is as effective as needed and as efficient as possible, Compliance Officials will be trained in the AGCO’s other lines of business as the AGCO moves towards integrated compliance teams.

• The Compliance Officials (formerly Racing Investigators) will continue to serve Horse Racing primarily while reporting to their new managers in the Regional Compliance Teams, as well as supporting any compliance issues in the other AGCO business lines (e.g. alcohol service, gaming) at the racetracks.

• The Compliance Officials in the Equine Drug unit will continue their important work to target the abuse and misuse of equine drugs and medications and will continue to report to D/Sgt. Chris Bennett (OPP).

• Racing Officials will continue to work in their current roles and report to the RCB Managers of Racing until the AGCO is able to complete a comprehensive review of how this role could be further incorporated into its integrated service delivery model.

• Darla Wright will continue to act as the AGCO Human Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Administrator (Racing) and provide administrative support for the branch.

(AGCO)