Apollo Funds completes acquisition of Great Canadian Gaming
Tony Rodio has been named CEO of Great Canadian and will lead the company from its headquarters in Toronto.
Canada.- Apollo Global Management affiliate Apollo Funds has completed its acquisition of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation in a $2.5bn deal.
The purchase means that Apollo now has control over 25 casinos located in Ontario, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and New Brunswick.
Closure of the deal also sees the appointment of Anthony “Tony” Rodio as CEO of Great Canadian Gaming. He will lead the company from its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, and will also join the Board of Directors.
Rodio has nearly 40 years’ experience in the gaming industry. He was most recently CEO of Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Before that, he served as CEO of Affinity Gaming and President and CEO of Tropicana Entertainment.
Alex van Hoek, Apollo partner and chairman of the board of Great Canadian, said: “Tony is one of the industry’s most accomplished executives, and we are confident that his experience leading businesses through transformative periods of innovation and growth will help to take Great Canadian to new heights.
“We are excited to have him at the helm and to support Great Canadian as the company continues to prioritize and enhance the experience of the guests, team members and communities they serve.”
Rodio commented: “Great Canadian is an incredible gaming and entertainment franchise and I’m excited to lead the Company as we continue to safely welcome back team members and guests across the country.
“Together with Apollo and my management team, we see tremendous opportunity to build on Great Canadian’s leading market position, improving the guest experience and entering new channels for growth, with a continuous focus on the importance of our relationships with our Crown agencies and other key stakeholders.”
