A sportsbook operator with eyes on Ontario sports betting has hired a new managing director in Canada.
This week, Rush Street Interactive announced Bruce Caughill will lead the company’s Canada sports betting efforts. The news comes as RSI’s BetRivers prepares to launch sports betting in Ontario next week.
“We welcome Bruce who, with his unparalleled legal, operational and regulatory expertise in Canada’s gaming industry, will provide strong insight, guidance and counsel in this exciting new online market,” RSI CEO Richard Schwartz said in a release. “Bruce’s proven leadership capability, extensive experience and strategic thinking make him a great addition to RSI.”
Strong Ontario experience
Caughill joins RSI from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the agency with regulatory oversight of the province’s online gaming industry. He was the AGCO’s chief legal officer.
Prior to his time with the AGCO, Caughill consulted with international gaming companies. He also spent 20 years with the operator of Niagara Casinos in Canada.
“I am excited to bring my years of experience in Canadian gaming to support RSI’s pursuit of opportunities in Canada,” Caughill said in the release. “I am particularly excited at the prospect of supporting the many local Canadian employees as the company establishes its Innovation Hub here.”
Operators building Canada operations
Caughill will direct RSI’s efforts to build out business opportunities in the Great White North. RSI joins several other sportsbook operators establishing Canadian offices.
Last summer, PointsBet began hiring a staff dedicated to finding ways to connect with Canadians. Among the hires were PointsBet Canada CEO Scott Vanderwel, a former Rogers Communication executive, and Chief Commercial Officer Nic Sulsky, former president of daily fantasy sports operator Monkey Knife Fight.
In October, FanDuel named former Rogers Communications and Deloitte executive Dale Hooper to be general manager of its business in Canada.
Operators line up for Ontario sports betting
BetRivers was granted its AGCO license earlier this month. RSI launched a free-to-play game in Canada last fall.
As of Wednesday night, there are 15 other operators approved for online gaming in the province. Among the other sportsbooks are PointsBet, FanDuel, BetMGM and bet365.
In January, Ontario regulators pegged April 4 as the launch date for commercial online gaming.
