PointsBet Canada Reports 'Solid Engagement' For First Curling Event
PointsBet Canada has taken a deep dive into curling, including a sponsorship agreement with Curling Canada, and a partnership with Team Bottcher.
PointsBet Canada is striving to build a uniquely Canadian operation. Curling is a sport deeply embedded in Canada’s identity. The sport is played in every province and territory, in 1,000 clubs, and is played by almost two million per year in Canada (pre-pandemic). There are over 300 hours of Curling Canada events on television each year, and the national championships for both men’s and women’s always score big ratings.
PointsBet Invitational A Big Success
So there was big money riding on the PointsBet Invitational, held last week at Willie O’Ree Place in Fredericton, NB.
Canada’s best men’s and women’s curling teams came together for the first major event of the 2022-23 season. Sixteen men’s and 16 women’s teams competed in a single knockout tournament offering a purse in excess of $350,000. Team Jones defeated Team Scheidegger in the women’s event, while Team Dunstone beat Team Carruthers on the men’s side.
While we can’t get into any specific wagering numbers at this point, a spokesman from PointsBet Canada tells Gambling.com there were 30 hours of live broadcast coverage across TSN, simulcast on ESPN 3 in the U.S.
The spokesman said there was “solid engagement” on social media as well. There were actual betting options for people in Ontario, plus live betting on select marquee matchups.
“We’ve had curling markets before, but this was the first big bang,” the spokesman said. Anecdotally, PointsBet Canada saw an “uptick” in curling betting interest during the tourney.
PointsBet Canada is offering curling betting across the three core markets – spread, total and moneyline – for all Curling Canada majors and the Grand Slam of Curling. They’ll also offer live betting on some of the featured matchups during those events.
Kambi Signs Deal With Two Mohegan-Owned Casinos
As another sign that retail sportsbooks are coming soon to Ontario, Kambi Group, the sports betting platform, announced this week they will be providing its services to the Mohegan-owned Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara properties.
The two companies already have an online partnership. A total of 36 kiosks will be installed across both properties, with plans to convert Casino Niagara’s sports bar into a retail sportsbook.
Said Richard Taylor, president, Niagara Casinos, in a statement: "We are very excited to partner with Kambi as we prepare to launch sports betting at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara. With the changing landscape in gaming, we are working collaboratively with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Province to develop sports betting in Ontario. Our partnership with Kambi will continue to elevate our offerings at Niagara Casinos."
Canada Awards More iGaming Licenses
Apollo Entertainment Ltd., offering seven online casino games, is among the latest to secure an AGCO licence, as well as Betsafe, CanPlay Ontario, and Bally’s Canada.
On the iGaming Ontario operating agreement end, BetVictor became the latest this week to join the party in Ontario.
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