Canada
OpenBet Names Stewart Groumoutis As New VP of Commercial For Canada
Appointment of highly experienced lottery executive showcases company’s ambitions to further penetrate key territory
OpenBet, the world leader in sports betting entertainment, has appointed Stewart Groumoutis as its new VP Commercial – Canada, highlighting the company’s commitment to extending its footprint within the country’s sports betting marketplace.
Groumoutis brings with him a wealth of industry expertise, most notably the insight gained following a highly successful 10-year period with British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), where he recently served as Director, eGaming.
During his time with BCLC, Groumoutis became familiar with OpenBet as the company currently supplies the Canadian lottery with a comprehensive product suite encompassing world class technology, content and services. His experience as an operator is set to be hugely beneficial for the sports betting provider, with his insight on existing market challenges set to further enhance the company’s already strong reputation as a trusted partner for sportsbook operators.
In his new position, Groumoutis will play a pivotal role in maximizing OpenBet’s commercial opportunities in Canada. The country’s sports betting marketplace continues to expand, with further engagement expected after Ontario opened its newly regulated market in April 2022.
OpenBet already holds a strong position in Canada. Alongside the organization’s operations with BCLC, it controls a leading market share with its technology, content and services powering other major lotteries including Atlantic Lottery, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and Loto-Québec.
This latest appointment also further demonstrates the company’s strong desire to expand its workforce with the addition of highly ambitious and experienced individuals, as it aims to redefine the future of sports betting entertainment.
Stewart Groumoutis, VP Commercial – Canada of OpenBet, said: “I am very excited to be joining the OpenBet family. During my time with BCLC, I was exceedingly impressed by OpenBet’s ability to maximize operational value delivery, while also maintaining a strong focus on the future and innovation in the industry. As a former operator, I understand the challenges new and existing operators face, and want to ensure that we can remain an instrumental partner in achieving and maintaining success.
“North America is in the planning or early stages of growth in most States and Provinces, and operators are looking for not just vendors but real partners to help them succeed. This has always been a strength of OpenBet’s approach, and I believe it will be one of the main reasons for our continued growth.”
Cathryn Lai, Chief Commercial Officer of OpenBet, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Stewart to the team. He understands the culture and best practices of OpenBet, which is hugely beneficial as we look to power more sportsbooks with our unrivalled technology, content and services across North America, including Canada.
“Over the coming months, we anticipate increased commercial activity as demand for our products and services continues to grow. With the addition of Stewart, we are building an ultra-strong team full of passionate individuals that will see OpenBet maintain its position as a world leader within sports betting entertainment.”
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.
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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