Toronto-based TheScore was one of the first brands to be registered as an online gambling operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in February, a matter of days after the Commission announced the market’s 4 April launch date.
Both PointsBet and Rivalry were approved as operators in the market around the same time.
To celebrate its launch in the market, theScore Bet is hosting an official “Home Opener” launch party for fans in Toronto on 2, 3 and 4 April, before it begins accepting wagers on the third day.
Users of the app must be aged 19 or over and physically located in Ontario in order to place bets.
“Millions of Ontarians already know and love theScore, and we are excited to introduce them to theScore Bet as part of our pre-registration rollout,” said John Levy, CEO of theScore.
“We are ready and eager for the legal market to open on 4 April and look forward to showcasing our fully integrated media and betting experience.”
https://twitter.com/iGamingOntario/status/1506023862881902592?s=20&t=DcJF4PN28o00SNDZl_T-BATheScore Bet app will be integrated with the existing theScore media app, which boasts one of the largest user bases of any sports media app in North America and is the market leader in Canada.
In the US, the brand’s sportsbook is currently available in New Jersey, Colorado, Indiana and Iowa. TheScore was acquired by US casino giant Penn National Gaming in October 2021 for approximately $2bn.
Several other iGaming brands such as 888, BetRivers, FanDuel, Unibet, LeoVegas and bet365 have been added to the list of approved operators by the AGCO.
Approved suppliers to the industry include Bragg Gaming Group and sportsbook provider Kambi, which will power sports betting offerings for several of the approved operators, including 888, Unibet and LeoVegas.
The market is expected to be extremely competitive following its launch, with several operators already bringing experience in Ontario’s grey market and the ‘first-mover’ advantage that comes with it.
The AGCO warned operators in the process of securing a licence, however, that they should cease any unregulated activity in the market prior to the official launch on 4 April.
Any operator which fails to cease operations prior to launch could face having its application for registration rejected.
Ontario is expected to provide a near $1bn opportunity for licensed operators in its first year of operation. On population terms, it would be the fifth biggest state in the US.
