Canada

PointsBet Expands Live Betting Offering for Soccer Ahead of World Cup

Published

4 years ago

November 17, 2022

PointsBet has announced the debut of a new and expanded suite of live betting offerings for soccer ahead of the start of the World Cup.

As part of its OddsFactory proprietary technology integration, which includes live products for the NFL, NBA, MLB and NCAAM, PointsBet will deliver 130+ live market betting options for Soccer, the most markets for any US sportsbook – positioning itself as the home for live betting during the World Cup and the leader in the industry for soccer live betting for fans of the passion-filled sport.

PointsBet users will have access to an unmatched number of one-minute and five-minute Lightning Bet markets, including Free Kick Awarded, Goal Scored, Goal Kick Awarded, Shots On Target, and much more. Users will also have the ability to build a Same Game Parlay pre-match or live to maximize their live betting experience.

“The 2018 tournament commenced just a few short months after online sports betting was legalized in the US, meaning this year’s tournament will be historic in nature with more than 100 million Americans having the ability to place online wagers on the world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup. Soccer is ripe with opportunities to tap into live betting, and we are gearing up for an immense surge in soccer betting activity by delivering our Soccer OddsFactory integration ahead of what will no doubt be an incredible tournament. We are investing the necessary resources to make PointsBet the go-to sportsbook for World Cup betting – and we have the technology in place to prove it. Soccer bettors will have more live options with PointsBet than anywhere else,” Johnny Aitken, CEO at PointsBet USA, said.

“Our continued investment in elevating our in-house sports betting technology and OddsFactory, our proprietary trading feeds solution, has allowed PointsBet to produce up to 8 billion calculations in less than one second when we have a full suite of live games running in parallel. This positions PointsBet to offer bettors with an immense amount of live betting options across all sports, especially for fans who are looking to take part in the World Cup action. PointsBet gives bettors more live betting options on more matches than anywhere else in the US,” Mark Hughes, Chief Product Officer at PointsBet USA, said.

Acquisitions/Merger

Vectiq buys PlayCanada.com from Catena Media as Alberta opens iGaming

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

vectiq-buys-playcanada.com-from-catena-media-as-alberta-opens-igaming

Vectiq Inc. has acquired PlayCanada.com from Catena Media US, Inc., as Alberta opens regulated online gaming to private operators on 13 July 2026. The deal hands Vectiq a Canada-facing iGaming media brand as the country adds its second major regulated province after Ontario’s iGaming Ontario framework.

PlayCanada.com covers casino, sports betting, poker and slots content across Canada, including Ontario and Alberta. Vectiq said the site’s long-running domain history and national reach make it a cornerstone asset as Alberta’s market launches.

“PlayCanada.com is a brand that Canadians have trusted for a generation,” said Pablo Ferreira, CEO of Vectiq. “Alberta’s regulated market will create an enormous demand for credible, province-literate guidance for players, and PlayCanada.com’s editorial depth and national footprint put us in an exceptional position to meet it.”

Catena Media framed the divestment as part of its MRKTPLAYS+ approach. “PlayCanada.com is passing to a partner well placed to take it further. Vectiq’s Canadian expertise and local presence make it ideally suited to grow the brand as Alberta opens up. This is our MRKTPLAYS+ strategy in action — backing strong partners to unlock more value in their markets. Canada remains an important market for Catena Media, and we’re glad to see PlayCanada.com in good hands as it enters its next chapter,” said Pierre Cadena, Chief Operating Officer of Catena Media.

Vectiq said its portfolio now includes MaxSpinz.com, described as an Ontario-focused casino and sweepstakes review platform, alongside PlayCanada.com’s national coverage. The company said it is building iGaming media properties designed to drive regulated player acquisition through editorial content, SEO, paid media, free-to-play game mechanics and CRM.

The post Vectiq buys PlayCanada.com from Catena Media as Alberta opens iGaming appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

Hard Rock Bet Brings World-Class Sports Betting and Online Casino to Ontario

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

hard-rock-bet-brings-world-class-sports-betting-and-online-casino-to-ontario

Hard Rock Digital announced the official launch of Hard Rock Bet in Ontario, Canada, marking the company’s first international market expansion and bringing its award-winning mobile sportsbook and online casino platform to players across the province.

Hard Rock Bet enters Ontario with a differentiated offering that combines a premium online sportsbook experience with one of the largest online casino selections in the market, featuring more than 3000 games, including top slots, table games, and live dealer content from leading providers. The platform delivers an intuitive player experience, fast deposits and withdrawals, and parlay wagering across fan-favorite sports from around the world. Ontario players will have access to exclusive Legendary Reward Drops at launch, as well as online Unity Points, which can be redeemed in the Hard Rock Bet Reward Store.

The Ontario launch reflects Hard Rock Digital’s commitment to building a truly local presence in Canada. Hard Rock Bet draws on the legacy of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, which has established itself as a trusted destination in the province. The company has an Ontario-based marketing team and a 24/7 local customer support operation to provide players with around-the-clock service.

“Expanding into Ontario with Hard Rock Bet marks the first time we’ve brought our platform to an audience outside the US. We’re excited to introduce Ontario players to a premium entertainment experience that reflects the energy and service synonymous with the Hard Rock brand. And by investing in local talent, local partnerships, and localized customer support, we’re creating an experience designed specifically for Ontario players,” said Marlon Goldstein, Executive Managing Director & CEO of Hard Rock Digital.

“Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa has the reputation of bringing people together for amplified entertainment experiences, and we’re excited to see that spirit extend into the digital space. The launch of Hard Rock Bet is a natural next step for the Hard Rock brand in Ontario, and we look forward to building on that connection with guests and players over time,” said Christine Crump, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.

The launch will also be supported by connections to Toronto’s iconic music scene, including a collaboration with Canadian artist Choclair that remastered a celebrated 20-year-old track, “Let’s Ride,” to celebrate Hard Rock Bet’s arrival in Ontario.

Hard Rock Bet is available for download via iOS and Android and can also be played on desktop via HardRockBet.ca.

The post Hard Rock Bet Brings World-Class Sports Betting and Online Casino to Ontario appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

1X2 Network

1X2 Network launches in Alberta iGaming market with seven operators

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

1x2-network-launches-in-alberta-igaming-market-with-seven-operators

Supplier says its slot content is live across most tier-one Alberta brands, extending its Canadian footprint to three provinces.

1X2 Network has gone live in Alberta, launching with seven operators in the province’s newly regulated iGaming market.

The supplier said the rollout covers the majority of Alberta’s tier-one brands. It added that its content has secured homepage placement across operator lobbies since the market opened, with Iron Dog Studio’s 3 Hot Chilli Peppers featuring on the homepages of most operators in the province.

The Alberta launch follows 1X2 Network’s existing presence in Ontario and Quebec. The company said Alberta will be treated as a core market for future game releases, with new titles included in its ongoing release schedule for the province.

Kevin Reid, Chief Executive Officer at 1X2 Network, said: “Going live in Alberta with seven operators is a fantastic start and a real milestone in our North American journey.

“North America is a primary focus for us this year, and Alberta is now a core market for everything we release. We’re excited to build on this momentum as we expand further across the region.”

The post 1X2 Network launches in Alberta iGaming market with seven operators appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.