Canada
Rivalry Launches Esports and Sports Betting in Ontario
Rivalry Corp., an internationally regulated sports betting and media company, announced that its online esports and traditional sports betting service is now live in Ontario. On the first day of regulated online gaming in the province, Ontario residents can access Rivalry’s full sportsbook at www.rivalry.com.
In a field of new entrants dominated by foreign-based operators, Rivalry is one of the only Canadian companies launching internet gaming services in Ontario. Founded in Toronto in 2016, Rivalry’s headquarters and origin are at the heart of the province, and the Company applauds the regulatory efforts that have led to it being able to now legally operate there. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and is growing rapidly, with month-over-month betting handle1 growth averaging more than 20% since the start of 2021.
In addition to being a local success story, Rivalry stands out from the pack in several other ways. Rivalry’s largest segment is esports betting, which is especially popular with the younger Millennial and Gen Z demographic. As a proud Toronto start-up, the Company built its brand among younger audiences through compelling content and quality product experiences that inspire loyalty and community. This approach has made Rivalry the most engaged brand in esports betting globally.2 High engagement results in lower customer acquisition cost which helps drive profitable unit economics in comparison to peers who often offer high up-front incentives to attract new users.3
Rivalry’s unique approach will be evident in the way it builds awareness in Ontario. The Company is launching a marketing campaign starting today, built around the theme: “Bet on Canada. Bet on Rivalry.” Local residents will be exposed to the Rivalry brand through a holistic campaign featuring uniquely captivating visuals that play out in a brand video delivered through social media channels, a full wrap (inside and out) enveloping one of Toronto’s most iconic symbols, a TTC streetcar, along with more grassroots wild postings that will be featured prominently in the city’s downtown core.
“We do things differently at Rivalry. We are aiming to be the sportsbook for the next generation through engaging content and innovative experiences that entertain and create loyal fans of Rivalry who come back for more,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “To launch in our home market feels like a dream come true, and a very significant milestone in our creation of a leading global brand.”
Ontario is Canada’s largest province with a population of approximately 14.9 million people. It is the first province to allow regulated internet gaming by private operators since the Canadian government enacted legislation in August 2021 giving provincial and territorial governments discretion to conduct and manage single-event sports betting in their respective jurisdictions. According to the Government of Ontario, the size of the online gaming market in the province is estimated to be $1 billion annually.4
Ontario becomes Rivalry’s second fully regulated market following the approval of its Australian license earlier this year. The Company continues to pursue licenses in additional regulated markets around the world, and will explore opportunities for further expansion within Canada as other provinces develop their respective regulatory frameworks.
Canada
ComeOn Group adds sportsbook to its offering in Ontario
ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.
ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.
ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”
*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)
BCLC
INTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT Inc., its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalization of the existing land-based network.
The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
INTRALOT is a leading player in a changing world of gaming. With significant experience in looking forward and anticipating emerging trends, the company provides future-proof solutions to regulated lottery and gaming operators around the world.
Canada
Relax Gaming joins forces with PointsBet to strengthen footprint in Ontario
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Ontario market through an agreement with leading Canadian operator, PointsBet.
This partnership reinforces Relax Gaming’s aim to become a standout provider across North America, having already gained early success in Ontario. Relax became one of the first suppliers to deliver content to the region’s players in March 2022, debuting with over 120 games across multiple operators.
PointsBet pride themselves as one of Canada’s leading operators offering unmatched speed, ease of use, and a comprehensive array of pre-game and in-play sports betting options. This is complemented by a top-tier online casino which will now be boosted with the integration of Relax’s portfolio of slots and live dealer options.
With its authentic Canadian approach, PointsBet prioritises technology that minimises external dependencies to maintain control over its platform and has a commitment to responsible gambling best practices, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all players.
Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “Since we launched in Ontario we have enjoyed tremendous success, with our content hitting the sweet spot for the broad range of players in the Canadian province. This partnership with PointsBet will strengthen our presence in the market as the region’s leading operator integrates our rich content portfolio which will engage its player base.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, added: “Relax Gaming has established a strong reputation across North America and in Ontario in particular. The impressive range of content that will be integrated into our platform will increase engagement within our online platform and we are delighted to be able to provide more immersive experiences to our audiences.”
Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.
Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.
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