Sports betting platforms in Canada are continuing to add key personnel to their rosters.
PointsBet Canada has announced the hiring of Brett Jackman as its vice president of strategy for PointsBet Canada.
Few sportsbooks have been more focused on Ontario sports betting than PointsBet, which has announced key personnel additions and partnerships in the last six months.
“The opening of the regulated iGaming market in Ontario represents one of the most exciting business opportunities within Canada in recent memory,” Jackman said in a news release. “I look forward to playing a role in ensuring that PointsBet Canada capitalizes on this incredible opportunity and delivers a truly authentic and differentiated product experience for Canadian sports fans.”
Jackman joins PointsBet Canada from Rogers Communications, where he was senior director of corporate strategy. He was a top strategic adviser to senior leadership and helped drive long-term strategy across the company’s platforms, the release said.
“Brett’s expertise and vision will be absolutely crucial in helping shape PointsBet Canada’s priorities as we forge further ahead into the budding sports betting landscape,” PointsBet Canada Chief Executive Officer Scott Vanderwel said in the release. “As our commitment so far has shown, PointsBet Canada has big ambitions, and I am thrilled to have Brett alongside us moving forward to help shape and drive our growth agenda, building upon the strong foundation we’ve assembled thus far.”
On April 4, PointsBet Canada launched in Ontario’s new regulated market, accepting its first bet just 50 seconds after the province’s sports betting market went live.
PointsBet Canada Has Been Active
The appointment of Jackman is just the latest moves by PointsBet Canada, which has been lining up partnerships for months. Among the deals just this year:
- On April 11, PointsBet Canada and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment announced a new multi-year partnership designating the sports betting company as an official sports betting partner. MLSE owns the Leafs, Raptors Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, and the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, as well as the minor-league farm teams for the Leafs, Raptors and TFC. The company also owns Scotiabank Centre, OVO Athletic Centre, with investments and management involvement in BMO Field, Coca-Cola Coliseum (home of the AHL Marlies) and Lamport Stadium.
- On March 24, the Ottawa Redblacks announced a partnership with PointsBet Canada, the first to be announced by a CFL team and a sports betting operator. The Redblacks named PointsBet the official sportsbook of the team and its home facility, TD Place.
- Just before the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February, PointsBet and Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) announced a new multi-year agreement (commencing with the current 2021-2022 season), with PointsBet becoming the organization’s official sportsbook.
- In mid-January, PointsBet signed a multi-year, exclusive partnership with the Trailer Park Boys, a popular Canadian television show. It’s a comedy series about the lives and misadventures of trailer park residents, led by characters Bubbles, Ricky and Julian.
- On Jan. 11, PointsBet joined the NHL Alumni Association as its exclusive sports betting partner in Canada in a multi-year deal.
PointsBet Keeping It Canadian
The strategy of partnering with truly Canadian sports and entities has been a priority of PointsBet Canada.
Nic Sulsky, chief commercial officer for PointsBet Canada, said in a news release about the Redblacks partnership: “PointsBet Canada is committed to building an identity that acknowledges the little intricacies that make us all proud to be Canadian. Nothing says Canadian like three downs, a 55-yard line and the rouge. We are excited to add a little bit more red and black to RNation for years to come!"
In October of last year, PointsBet announced a deal with Curling Canada. The company now has aligned with curling, hockey and a CFL team. Doesn’t get more Canadian than those sports.
