FanDuel and PokerStars have announced new partnership agreements with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) that will see the two brands become the official sports betting and iGaming partners of the company and its associated sporting franchises.
The deal comes at a time when FanDuel and PokerStars are preparing to offer Canadian gamblers located in Ontario both sports betting and online casino gaming options. While FanDuel has already launched, PokerStars is currently waiting on final regulatory approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Speaking in a press release issued at the time of the announcement, Dale Hooper, General Manager, FanDuel Canada said:
“The Maple Leafs, Raptors and Toronto FC are pioneering franchises and major pillars in Canadian sports culture. As we bring FanDuel to Ontario, we want to collaborate with globally recognized enterprises like MLSE to bring unique content experiences to some of Canada’s most dedicated sports fans.”
Tom Warren, PokerStars Marketing Director went on to add:
“We have epic plans for our community in Canada, and are excitedly looking forward to creating some incredible experiences in our birth country, when we launch very soon. Partnering with MLSE gives us the opportunity to reach passionate fans across Ontario with a wide remit of poker and casino, heighten experiences wherever we can, and be a part of some major winning moments.”
Jordan Vader, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships, MLSE said of the deals:
“We are thrilled to partner with Flutter Entertainment, a global leader and one of the most trusted operators in the sports betting industry. As the Online Gaming markets open in Ontario, we have worked hard to find partners who aligned with both our vision for innovation, and our values including a shared commitment to responsible gaming. We look forward to working with Flutter and providing a platform for them to engage with the millions of 19+ Ontario residents who are fans of our teams.”
MLSE currently owns the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA’s Toronto Raptors, CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC and AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.