A new chief executive of the Bermuda Gaming Commission has been announced.

Charmaine Smith, a Bermudian, takes over the role from Canadian Jean Major.

Mrs Smith, who was chief regulatory officer with the commission, said: “We have an excellent team of professionals with broad technical knowledge and competencies; a keen interest in public service and a strong commitment to good governance.

“Stakeholder-regulator engagement is vital for the successful creation of a culture of compliance in Bermuda’s gaming industry. I look forward to continued engagement with all the relevant stakeholders in this sector.”

Cheryl-Ann Mapp, chairwoman of the BGC, said: “We would like to thank Mr Major for his significant contributions to the commission.

“We are pleased to have had someone of Mr Major’s calibre leading the commission over the previous two years.

“His tenure contributed to the successful recruitment of Mrs Smith, and we acknowledge the role he played in executing the Commission’s succession plan, developing the regulatory framework for licensing casinos and issuing the first casino gaming license.

“We are excited to have Mrs Smith accept the post and to continue to build on the work that Mr Major has led over the last two years.”

Mr Major said: “I had a wonderful time working at the commission and living on this beautiful island.

“Having reached my two-year anniversary, we have successfully accomplished the two key goals that were originally set out for me: to initiate the licensing process with the corresponding compliance framework for casino gaming and to recruit and train Bermudians to regulate gaming on the island.”

Mr Major was previously the chief executive officer and registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

During his time leading the BGC, the island’s first casino licence was granted to the St Regis Bermuda Resort in St George’s, announced in October.

A statement from the commission said then that the opening date of the gambling venue was “entirely dependent on the casino operator meeting all legislative requirements for opening which will be subject to the commission’s review and approval”.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, said last month that there was “no further update” on when the island’s first casino would open.

Mrs Smith is a barrister and attorney, and was previously chairwoman of the Police Complaints Authority, and a member of the Employment Tribunal.

She also served as senior legal counsel in the Office of the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee prior to joining the commission.

A spokeswoman for the commission stated: “Since August 2021, the organisation is responsible for regulating all lawful gaming in Bermuda and is committed to establishing a regulatory framework that builds a culture of compliance though education and collaboration in a fair and responsive manner.”