Three Sportsbook Operators Clear Crucial Ontario Sports Betting Step


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Ontario sports betting

Multiple sportsbooks achieved a major step toward Ontario sports betting last week, becoming registered online operators with regulators.

PointsBet, theScore and Rivalry Corp. released statements announcing their status as registered online gaming operators with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Now registered with the AGCO, the operators must finish procedural requirements and sign operating agreements with AGCO subsidiary iGaming Ontario.

Previously, an ON sports betting source told LSR there are at least 30 applicants for licenses.

On April 4, Ontario will be the first, and largest, province to open to commercial operators in Canada sports betting.

PointsBet eager for ON sports betting

PointsBet is among the most active sports betting operators in Canada, setting up a variety of partnerships. Among the partnerships are:

“Since day one, we have remained genuine to our promise of building a Canadian sportsbook, with Canadian employees, for the Canadian market,” PointsBet Canada CEO Scott Vanderwel said in a statement. “Today’s approval of PointsBet Canada as a licensed sportsbook in Ontario effective April 4, 2022, is a momentous step in unveiling our authentically Canadian gaming experience to the province.”

theScore hopes to go big in Canada sports betting

Penn National Gaming, which acquired theScore in October 2021, announced the sportsbook achieved registration with the AGCO.

Based in Toronto, theScore is also a well-known sports media brand in Canada.

“We’re thrilled to be one of the first operators to receive an internet gaming operator certificate of registration from the AGCO as we prepare for Ontario’s new regulated market,” theScore CEO John Levy said in a statement. “We’ve been and will continue to be at the forefront as regulated internet gaming is introduced in Ontario and are beyond excited to bring theScore Bet to our home market on April 4.

“Finally, the countdown to launch has begun.”

Another Ontario sportsbook receives approval

Toronto-based Rivalry Corp. also announced it its status as a registered operator with the AGCO.

The company operators Rivalry Limited, which offers online sports betting, esports betting and casino.

“We are very pleased to be one of the first companies to be registered as an internet gaming operator in Ontario,” Rivalry Co-Founder and CEO Steven Salz said. “As a proud Toronto-founded and based company, it’s a particular privilege to be able to finally offer our innovative product legally and responsibly in our backyard. I’m confident we will deliver a differentiated experience that will elevate what consumers think sports betting can be.”

Racing for Ontario sports betting market share

In January, Ontario regulators announced the province will open to commercial online gaming operators April 4. The province’s lottery launched ProLine+ in August 2021.

Ontario is the largest Canadian province. With 15 million residents, it would be the fifth-largest US state. Operators could generate up to CAD $570 million in sports betting revenue this year, according to an Eilers & Krejcik estimate.

The province’s largest city, Toronto, is home to MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL and Canadian Football League teams. The nation’s capital, Ottawa, is also in the province and has an NHL and CFL teams. Hamilton also has a CFL team.