Canada
TheLines.com: Scheffler, Rahm the oddsmakers’ favorites at PGA Championship
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and Spaniard Jon Rahm are the oddsmakers’ consensus favorites to win the PGA Championship this week at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., according to TheLines, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market.
Scheffler, who entered 2022 without a PGA Tour win in his career, has now won four times and ascended to the No. 1 world ranking. Both Scheffler and Rahm are listed at +1100, according to a consensus of the nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet. That means a bettor will win $1,100 for every $100 wagered should Scheffler or Rahm claim the Wanamaker Trophy.
Rahm won last year’s U.S. Open in June to claim his first major title, but was winless until three weeks ago at the Mexico Open. Rory McIlroy is next at +1400, followed by Justin Thomas (+1500), Collin Morikawa (+1800), and Patrick Cantlay (+1800).
Also at +1800 is Jordan Speith, who needs a PGA Championship to complete the career Grand Slam. Spieth missed the cut at The Masters but rebounded to win the following week, and he finished second over the weekend at the Byron Nelson Championship.
Tiger Woods, who shocked many by not only playing at The Masters, but also making the cut, is +6000 at this week’s PGA. This will be just his second start since the devastating car accident 16 months ago.
The PGA Championship will not have a back-to-back winner after Phil Mickelson — who stunned many last year with a win at Kiawah Island, South Carolina — withdrew from this year’s event. Mickelson has not played a PGA Tour event or major championship since his controversial comments about the Saudi Arabian government and his connection to LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed rival to the PGA Tour.
“There will be a lot of talk this week about who is not playing, and the fact that Tiger Woods is playing,” said Brett Collson, lead analyst for TheLines. “While the PGA has had its share of longshot winners in the past, golf hasn’t really had a surprise major champion since Gary Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open. There is value down the board, but bettors will likely focus on the top of the board when picking a winner this week.”
As for the course, Southern Hills should prove to be a strong test, playing at more than 7,500 yards this week.
“As it relates to Southern Hills, the 2022 PGA Championship is a perfect amalgamation of the characteristics of each of the other three Majors,” said John Haslbauer, who writes about golf wagering and advanced golf metrics for TheLines. “It has the expansive undulating fairways and around-the-green premiums of Augusta National, it has the tight greenside runoffs and exposure to high winds which we’re accustomed to seeing at The Open, and it’s been lengthened to a point where distance will provide a distinct advantage, just like the U.S. Open.”
The consensus odds for the favorites to win the 2022 PGA Championship as of May 16:
- Jon Rahm, +1100
- Scottie Scheffler, +1100
- Rory McIlroy, +1400
- Justin Thomas, +1500
- Collin Morikawa, +1800
- Patrick Cantlay, +1800
- Jordan Spieth, +1800
- Dustin Johnson, +2000
- Cam Smith, +2000
- Viktor Hovland, +2200
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Acquisitions/Merger
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
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
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.
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