Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries names new president and CEO

Sunday, July 9, 2023 5:10 PM
  • Mark Keast, CDC Gaming

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has a new permanent president and chief executive officer, with the announcement that Gerry Sul is taking on the position. Sul has been acting president and CEO since last January. His position became official July 5.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is a crown corporation that manages gaming and entertainment in the province, as well as distributing and selling liquor and sourcing and distributing non-medical cannabis to retailers. Profits are used to support provincial programs in areas like health care, education, and social services.

“Gerry is an experienced leader with extensive knowledge about our lines of business. He is trusted and respected by employees throughout the corporation and under his leadership, Manitobans can expect to see continued innovation and sound financial governance,” said board chair Bonnie Mitchelson.

The move is the latest step in a progression for Sul at the crown corporation. He first joined in 2007 as chief information officer. Since then, he’s occupied several key executive positions: chief corporate services officer, vice president of facilities, central services, security, and surveillance, and most recently, executive vice president of gaming and entertainment, before taking on the role of acting president and CEO.

Prior to joining Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Sul built up more than 20 years of experience working in the private sector for a publicly traded agribusiness company, managing systems development and providing project-management services.

“I look forward to working with our board and employees to continue to offer Manitobans great service and experiences, while increasing our impact in supporting important programs and initiatives that benefit our province,” Sul said.

Sul replaces Manny Atwal, who left the position early in 2023 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector.

In Manitoba on the igaming front, the crown corporation recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its legal-gambling website PlayNow. Unlike Ontario’s open regulated igaming market, PlayNow is the one legal spot in Manitoba where residents can go to play casino slot and bingo games and bet on sports.