Anfinson, who previously served as the group’s COO, will succeed Anthony ‘Tony’ Rodio, who is retiring as CEO and Director and the Board of Directors.
Great Canadian has also appointed Jordan Banks as its first Executive Chairperson.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the management team and Great Canadian’s team members, we want to thank Tony for his outstanding leadership,” said Chairperson of the Board of Great Canadian and Partner at Apollo Alex van Hoek.
“Tony has guided the company through a transformative period of recovery and growth, while navigating the industry-wide challenges of Covid-19. His contributions to Great Canadian will be valued by the company, our team members and our guests for many years to come.
“We are also pleased to name Matthew as CEO, whom we are excited to have lead Great Canadian in its next chapter. Matthew is a North American leader in our industry with a deep understanding of the business.
“He has been responsible for driving top-line growth across all 25 of our properties and has held leadership roles in operations, marketing and analytics.”
Before joining Great Canadian, Anfinson served as Senior Vice President, Operations at Caesars Entertainment Corporation in Las Vegas. He previously held key leadership roles for Harrah’s in its midwestern US markets.
Anfinson commented: “It is an enormous privilege to lead Great Canadian Entertainment, especially at this defining juncture of the company as we set a new industry standard for gaming and entertainment in Canada.
“We are incredibly excited to bring to market what will be among the premier casino resorts in North America in 2023 with the projects currently underway at Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Woodbine, as well as new innovative programs and initiatives that will drive growth at our other properties and in local communities across the country.
“We remain focused on continuously enhancing the overall experience for our guests, delivering long-term growth and value creation for our stakeholders, and doing so in a socially responsible way.”
