Ontario sports betting is not done adding to its available sportsbooks.
NorthStar Gaming announced Thursday it received Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approval for ON sports betting. Before launching, the company still needs to enter an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.
“As a made-in-Ontario online gaming and sportsbook operator, we’re excited to be awarded our registration as we prepare to launch a locally relevant platform for Ontario gaming enthusiasts to experience,” NorthStar Gaming CEO and founding partner Michael Moskowitz said in a release.
“As a local operator, the opportunity for us to design, build and launch a platform for our home market is very special. We’re proud to call Ontario home and look forward to introducing our content-rich platform to consumers.”
NorthStar Bets ready to enter Ontario
Last year, Torstar Corp. announced it would enter the Canada sports betting landscape with NorthStar Gaming. Torstar Corp. also owns a variety of other businesses, including the Toronto Star newspaper.
NorthStar Gaming announced Moskowitz, a former Panasonic North America CEO, as the gaming company’s chief executive in October 2021.
In February, NorthStar Gaming announced the NorthStar Bets platform and an integrated partnership with the Toronto Star. The company has deals with Playtech and Kambi behind its Ontario sports betting platform.
Ontario sports betting grows
The Ontario commercial online gaming market opened April 4 and there are 21 gaming sites operating, according to iGaming Ontario.
Since the launch, the AGCO has approved NorthStar Gaming and Buddybet. There are several more operators awaiting approval, including DraftKings Sportsbook.
Growing Canada sports betting partnerships
While some sportsbooks have yet to launch, others have been busy setting up partnership foundations in Canada since the Ontario launch.
Both PointsBet and FanDuel saddled up with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, while FanDuel also signed a deal with TSN. The NHL expanded its agreements with FanDuel and BetMGM to include Canada.
Penn National Gaming’s theScore Bet secured an exclusive partnership with MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.
