Tag Archives: canada

National Lacrosse League, TSN Announce Landmark Multi-Year Partnership For Canada

The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, today announced a historic partnership with TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, to bring games to Canadians across broadcast and live streaming platforms for the first time since 2016. The new agreement is the league’s most comprehensive Canadian broadcast partnership in its 35-year history, and marks the next in a series of major steps the league has taken in recent months as it moves towards returning to play on December 3, 2021.

The multi-year media rights partnership between the NLL and TSN includes exclusive rights to the regular season “NLL Game of the Week,” as well as comprehensive playoff action, including the NLL Championship Series. TSN also delivers NLL coverage to TSN and TSN Direct subscribers through live streaming on its digital platforms, TSN.ca and the TSN app. Schedule details and additional content information will be announced in the coming months. The 2021-22 NLL season begins the weekend of December 3 with 14 teams, five of which are based in Canada.

“As one of our new owners, Wayne Gretzky, reminded people a few weeks ago when we launched our new franchise in Las Vegas, box lacrosse is the national summertime sport of Canada, and we couldn’t be more pleased and eager to bring the NLL back to Canadian fans with TSN, the country’s premier sports network,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “This partnership will give us the ability to distribute NLL games to even more fans than ever before and showcase our amazing athletes, coaches, and action that so many Canadians love so dearly and have enjoyed in person.”

“Box lacrosse is an exciting, fast-paced sport, and we are very proud to partner with the NLL to grow the game and bring comprehensive live coverage to Canadian viewers throughout the season,” said Nathalie Cook, VP, TSN and RDS. “The NLL is a significant addition to our live sports schedule, one we know our fans will enjoy for years to come, and we’re excited to deliver expansive coverage, both on and off the floor, to spotlight the league’s talented players.”

For the most up to date information and breaking news, sign up for the NLL newsletter at NLL.com. Also follow Deputy Commissioner Jessica Berman and Commissioner Sakiewicz on Twitter @JessicaBerman1 and @NLLcommish, respectively.

HeadsUp Entertainment to Enter the Regulated Canadian Online Sports Betting Market

Mark Scheifele (Lisa Gansky from New York)

HeadsUp Entertainment International Inc. announces today its strategic plan to enter the regulated sports betting market in Canada.  In November 2020, the Canadian federal government introduced a bill (C-218) to the House of Commons that, if passed by both House and Senate, would legalize single-game sports wagering within the country’s 10 provinces and three territories.  It is anticipated that this bill will pass in the spring of 2021 and HeadsUp is positioned to be a major player in the sector.

The forthcoming legislation and subsequent changes to the Criminal Code of Canada will allow for HeadsUp to be positioned for rapid growth, taking to market platforms in sports betting, into an industry estimated to be over $14 Billion in annual gross gaming revenue as estimated by the Canadian Gaming Association.

HeadsUp is currently negotiating with 2 sportsbook software providers and is in negotiations with a strategic media partner as a potential merger candidate or acquisition to create unique market access and lower than industry standard costs for player acquisition.

“The rapidly evolving opportunities in the Canadian market, as well as in other countries, are very encouraging and our team has been anticipating licensing and government regulation that we are strategically poised to take advantage of” commented HeadsUp President and CEO Doug Wilson.

The Company will be launching its media content delivery platforms the first week of January which are designed to target viewers and build its base of players in anticipation of the launch of its online gaming products once the path to legalization and licensing in Canada is complete.

Canada is an explosive market for sports wagering and the country is following the lead of New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania as US States that have legalized sports betting.

Canadians’ Passion for Sports Uncovers Huge Potential for Online Betting According to Global Affiliation Company

Air Canada Arena (Suman Chakrabarti)

Swedish affiliation company Leadstar Media recently launched Mybettingsites.com/ca for the Canadian market. It is the company’s third North American website, but the first one targeting the Great White North. “The potential for sports betting in Canada is huge and we want to be a part of it,” says CEO Eskil Kvarnström.

Swedish iGaming lead generation company Leadstar Media has launched a bookmaker comparison website in Canada as they progress their global expansion.

Adding to the already lengthy list of markets they are active in, which includes the US, UK, Germany, and Brazil, the introduction of MyBettingsites.com/ca to Leadstars portfolio represents a significant state of intent and a desire to continue their rapid growth.

CEO Eskil Kvarnström sees huge potential in the Canadian market, and believes now is the perfect time for Leadstar to take the plunge: “Betting in Canada is only getting bigger, and it has always been a territory in which we have wanted to make some noise.

“There is a really interesting gambling culture over there, which is of course helped by how passionate Canadians are about sports.”

MyBettingsites.com rates and reviews bookies as well as providing betting guides and bonus offers for sportsbooks and online casino sites.

Visitors to the site can also find up-to-date information around the legality of gambling, deposit methods, plus new features on betting websites and apps.

“We always strive to be a dependable resource for gamblers and bookmakers. Our online betting partners bring a multitude of benefits, and more importantly the convenience of being able to bet from a mobile device from anywhere at any time. That is simply a necessity in modern-day gambling,” continued Kvarnström.

Having entered the US and Canada in quick succession, further launches are expected from Leadstar in other countries in 2020.

theScore Supports Proposals to Legalize Online Gambling in Ontario

credit: Tom Glod/Pixabay

theScore, Inc. (TSX Venture: SCR) (“theScore”) today welcomed proposals by Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government to legalize online gambling in the province. The plans, presented in the provincial government’s budget, also included support for the legalization of single event sports wagering at the federal level.

With one of the most popular sports apps in North America, theScore is set to become the first media company in North America to launch a sportsbook in the United States after federal legislation prohibiting sports betting was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in May 2018. theScore’s sports betting platform is scheduled to launch in New Jersey mid-2019.*

Late Thursday, in the Progressive Conservative Government’s “A Plan for the People” provincial budget, proposals were advanced to “establish a competitive market for online legal gambling that will reflect consumer choice while protecting consumers who play on these websites.” The provincial government will now consult with key stakeholders over its plans. In addition, the province confirmed it had already asked the federal government to take action to legalize single event sports wagering. Its full announcement can be read here.

John Levy, Founder and CEO of theScore, said he fully supported proposals to finally modernize outdated prohibition laws in the country and said the Company would be prepared to offer online sports betting to Ontarians when legislation permitted.

“theScore has always embraced the fact that sports betting is part of the overall fan experience, and it is finally time for jurisdictions across Canada to adopt common sense sports betting regulation,” he said. “We applaud the Ontario government for taking this very significant first step. As we prepare for the launch of our sportsbook in the United States, we intend to actively participate in the Ontario government’s consultation process.

“theScore is already a highly-recognized brand in Canadian mobile sports, and the most popular mobile sports app in the country. We’ll be ready to provide Canadian fans with a best-in-class mobile sports betting experience when the opportunity arises.”

theScore app, which is used by more than four million sports fans a month and is one of the leading multisport news and data apps in North America, is available in the App Store and on Google Play and offers news, scores, alerts and stats for every major league and competition, including betting line movements for leagues including NBA Basketball, NFL Football, NHL Hockey and MLB Baseball.

*Subject to receiving all required approvals and licenses from the State of New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC).

Century Casino Opens Edmonton, Alberta, Location

Century Casinos, Inc. announced the opening of its racing entertainment centre at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in South Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

At 9:30 a.m. MDT the doors opened for the first time and the public was invited by Century’s staff to explore the brand new casino featuring 550 slot machines and electronic table games, 14 video lottery terminals, an innovative REPLAY gaming stadium with 28 unique play stations and an interactive digital wall display, an off-track betting room, a restaurant and a lounge area.

With the racing entertainment centre open, Century is now preparing for the first weekend of Thoroughbred racing on the one-mile racetrack, which is scheduled for April 28, 2019.

Century Mile Racetrack and Casino is the Company’s latest development, located on Edmonton International Airport land and close to the city of Leduc, south of Edmonton. The location is ideally positioned exiting off the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, which is the main corridor between Calgary and Edmonton and one of the most heavily used highways in Western Canada. It is close to the airport, a shopping mall, retail outlets, hotels, a golf course and an abundance of other businesses. The Company is investing approximately $46.6 million USD, based on the exchange rate in effect as of February 26, 2019, in the development.