Report: Hard Rock has applied for Ontario iGaming license

[The Buzz]

Hard Rock Digital has reportedly applied for an iGaming license in Ontario, according to a report by Casino.org, further fueling speculation about the potential sale of PointsBet Canada.

This development coincides with Betr Entertainment's ongoing bid to acquire PointsBet Holdings in Australia, with the divestiture of PointsBet Canada reportedly part of Betr's offer.

From the article:

PointsBet’s board issued a statement in February indicating they were accepting a MIXI takeover bid. The board was concerned that Betr’s bid was more contingent on raising debt.

The latest reporting says Betr has improved its bid – a total of AU $360 million (USD $232.4 million), a combination of cash and shares. MIXI proposed a takeover bid of AU $350 million in April.

Part of that new bid from Betr involves selling off PointsBet Canada, with Hard Rock to be the buyer. A Betr news release on April 29 confirmed this: “We have received a non-binding proposal from Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC to acquire certain assets which relate to PointsBet’s Canadian operations, subject to various conditions precedent.” Hard Rock would pay Betr US $29.6 million for PointsBet Canada if this were to all go through.

According to the industry source, who has connections with Hard Rock:

Hard Rock is applying for a license in Ontario. The Hard Rock deal is contingent on Betr buying PointsBet Australia and divesting the Canadian business but the only news I’ve seen says it involves selling the customer database, which only makes sense if a license application is in the works. It can take six months or more to get a license [in Ontario].”

Read more here: https://www.casino.org/news/source-h...anada-rumours/

[ocreditor]

Interesting to see major U.S. brands positioning themselves early in Canada’s regulated market, Ontario is quickly becoming a strategic gateway for North American iGaming expansion.

[invinciblepoker]

also in related news, Alberta is about to open its doors to private operators :

In a significant development for Canada‘s gambling landscape, Alberta legislators have passed Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, opening the door to a competitive online gambling market in the province.

The legislation, which cleared its third and final reading on Wednesday with no amendments, now awaits only Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani’s formal approval to become law.

Assembly Bill 48, championed by Service Alberta Minister Dave Nally, will fundamentally transform Alberta’s online gambling ecosystem, which has been limited to a single government-operated platform since 2020. PlayAlberta, run by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), has until now enjoyed exclusive rights to offer legal online betting in the province.


“This legislation marks a turning point for Alberta’s gambling industry,” said industry analyst Morgan Reynolds. “Moving from a monopoly to a competitive market aligns Alberta with progressive gambling jurisdictions across North America and creates significant economic opportunities.”

- via casinoindustrynews.com

[Casinosti]

Looks like things are shifting steadily in Canada. Ontario's getting more competitive, and Alberta opening up could attract even more operators.

[Anastasia1997]

That’s a smart move by Hard Rock if it goes through — Ontario’s market has been growing steadily, and getting in via an existing customer base could give them a real head start. The timing with Betr’s bid makes things even more interesting.

[Ymercury]

If this report holds up, it’s a pretty strategic move by Hard Rock. Ontario remains one of the most attractive regulated markets in North America, and acquiring PointsBet Canada’s database would give them an instant foothold rather than starting from zero. The timing also lines up license applications take months, so getting the process started now makes sense if the Betr takeover moves forward.
Between the PointsBet Australia sale, a potential carve-out of the Canadian business, and Hard Rock stepping in, this could become one of the more interesting reshuffles of 2025.