Kambi enters Canadian sports betting with NorthStar Gaming partnership
Technology supplier inks long-term deal with prospective Ontario licensee ahead of April launch
Kambi Group has agreed a long-term sports betting technology partnership with prospective Ontario licensee NorthStar Gaming Inc.
The technology-driven agreement will see Kambi provide its sportsbook platform technology to NorthStar ahead of the expected launch of Ontario’s sports betting market in April 2022.
The partnership marks Kambi’s first expansion into Canada, despite operating a significant technology-based platform presence in the US with several major operators, including Rush Street Interactive.
NorthStar Gaming recently signed an omni-channel advertising and marketing services agreement with Torstar Corporation, a brand with roots dating back to 1892.
A particular area of interest for NorthStar in its selection process was the firm’s ice hockey-based betting technology and products, with ice hockey-based betting potentially a substantial growth market for NorthStar.
“Kambi’s data-driven sportsbook and flexible technology, along with our proprietary UX approach, will give us access to the market’s most innovative and differentiated sportsbook experience,” NorthStar Gaming founding partner and CEO Michael Moskowitz said.
“With valued partners like Kambi, our best-in-class online casino and local sportsbook brand will provide consumers with an engaging and frictionless experience,” Moskowitz added.
Ontario will finally begin regulated igaming operations with effect from April 4.
Under the terms of the launch, operators will be required to sign agreements with iGaming Ontario (iGO), an entity set up by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to “conduct and manage” igaming within the province.
Companies will operate gaming sites within the market on behalf of the province and in accordance with these agreements.
The launch announcement represents a near two-month delay on the proposed launch date, with Ontarian bettors now prevented from betting on the upcoming NFL Superbowl on February 13.