The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has announced that Sarah McCarthy will be taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer for the organization. McCarthy takes over for Shelly White, who is retiring from the CEO position after eight years in that role.

McCarthy Brings Years of Non-Profit Experience to RGC

Based out of Toronto, Ontario, the RGC has been a leading non-profit organization working towards the prevention of problem gambling and promotion of responsible gaming since its founding in 1983. 

The organization advocates for both harm prevention and mitigation efforts and works on the premise that a healthy player base is best for both society and the gaming industry in the long run.

McCarthy will take over as CEO of the RGC after serving as the Vice President, Strategic Initiatives for the Rick Hansen Foundation. She previously held positions at the International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care, as well as other non-profit organizations. McCarthy is also a member of the Strategy Committee for the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition at Urban Land Institute Toronto.

In terms of education, McCarthy holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Master of Science, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics from the same institution. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Science, Behavior, Cognition and Neuroscience from the University of Windsor.

“We look forward to her contributions and leadership in achieving our strategic objectives and furthering our mission,” the RGC said in a statement announcing McCarthy’s hiring.

A new leader for the RGC was expected for a few months now, as White announced her retirement from the organization in June. At the time, the organization said Shelley would be officially retiring in December.

“Shelley’s commitment to RGC and the people, organizations, and communities we serve globally is unparalleled,” the RGC said in a statement on LinkedIn announcing her retirement. 

“We will celebrate Shelley and the remarkable contribution she has made to RGC as her retirement date approaches.”

RGC Leads on Problem Gaming Issues in Canada, Beyond

The RGC—and White—had taken on a higher profile role in the Canadian gaming industry since the launch of sports betting in Ontario in 2022, where it worked alongside stakeholders to mold the launch of single-game betting. 

While the organization may not be a household name among bettors, some Canadians may be familiar with the RG Check logo found on some gaming sites—a sign that an operator meets the RGC’s criteria for responsible gaming.

The Responsible Gaming Council has frequently been a key player in developing responsible gaming campaigns in Canada, particularly those aimed at vulnerable groups. In September, the Responsible Online Gaming Association announced that it was working with the RGC on such a campaign aimed at college students.

“For over 20 years, RGC has worked with young adults, post-secondary institutions, and leaders to understand the unique needs of this priority population,” White said at the time. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Responsible Online Gaming Association to speak to an even larger number of students with our prevention outreach messaging.”

The RGC also holds the RGC Discovery conference each year, where industry leaders from across the world meet to discuss responsible gaming issues. The next Discovery conference, which McCarthy will preside over, is scheduled to take place from May 20-22, 2025 in Toronto.