Schnarr assumes her role on 18 September replacing Tom Mungham, whose exit was confirmed earlier this year.
Schnarr brings with her extensive experience in the academic, public sector and private sector consulting environment. She currently serves as associated professor for strategic management at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Prior to this, Schnarr spent time at the Richard Ivey School of Business. Here, she was a PhD candidate for general management of strategy and corporate governance and also lectured in strategy.
Schnarr also worked for MacPhie and Company, Veritas Communications and held numerous senior roles in the government of Ontario, including chief of staff to ministers in multiple portfolios.
“I am excited to be joining a strong and vibrant organisation that works every day to ensure consumer protection, efficient business practices and a people-first focus,” Schnarr said. “My sincere thanks to the board for this opportunity.
“I am aware of the large shoes I will be filling of retiring CEO Tom Mungham. I am looking forward to taking on this role and can’t wait to get started.”
AGCO added: “We are excited to welcome Karin to the organisation. We also want to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Tom Mungham, who announced his intention to retire from the agency in March.”
Mungham’s legacy at AGCO
The outgoing Mungham joined AGCO in 2006 as director of licensing in registration. He went on to become its chief operating officer before assuming his current roles in 2020.
During his tenure as CEO, Mungham oversaw a number of major initiatives in the Canadian province. These included the development and regulatory oversight of Ontario’s new online gambling market, which opened in April last year.
Mungham agreed to remain with AGCO until the autumn as the regulator searched for a replacement.
Leadership changes at iGaming Ontario
Confirmation of Schnarr as new CEO follows Heidi Reinhart taking over as chair of iGaming Ontario.
Reinhart replaces Dave Forestell, who stepped down after taking over as chair of AGCO. Forestell had held the role of chair since the online gaming regulator was formed in July 2021.
Reinhart temporarily chaired AGCO, after Lalit Aggarwal departed.
How is Ontario’s online market performing?
Players staked CA$14.0bn over the three months to 30 June, iGaming Ontario figures show. The vast majority is staked on casino games, including slots, tables and bingo, making up $11.6bn of the total.
Sports handle, meanwhile, reached $2.0bn in the quarter. Revenue of $545m also skewed heavily towards icasino, which accounted for 72% of that figure.