Ontario-based operator NorthStar Gaming is to expand the reach of its online casino and sportsbook across Canada.
Since launching in May 2022, the NorthStar Gaming offering has only been accessible in Ontario. However, this will now be available across all provinces and territories in Canada with the launch of NorthStarBets.com.
The launch is possible following the acquisition of Slapshot Media earlier this year. Slapshot Media delivers marketing and operational management services to sports betting and igaming operators.
As such, NorthStarBets.com is available through a wholly owned subsidiary of NorthStar acquired through the Slapshot Media deal.
NorthStar customers in Ontario can continue to access the platform through the NorthStarBets.ca website.
“We are thrilled to take this ground-breaking step and become a truly national brand,” NorthStar chair and CEO Michael Moskowitz said. “As a Canadian company, we are confident we understand local consumers better than the large international competitors and that we offer a premium experience that best meets their needs.
“We expect the Canada-wide launch to be an important catalyst that drives growth in our customer base and revenues for years to come.”
Only Ontario has a regulated igaming market, which went live in April 2022. Online gaming is prohibited in other Canadian provinces outside of the provincial lottery corporations, which have a de-facto monopoly. As such, NorthStar’s new dotcom venture will not be regulated by Canadian authorities outside of Ontario.
NorthStar Gaming aims to accelerate growth
The move is in line with comments by Moskowitz in the wake of NorthStar posting its Q2 results in August.
At the time, Moskowitz said NorthStar would be looking to expand outside Ontario. He did not put a timescale on this initiative.
As for its wider Q2 performance, NorthStar posted continuing losses despite record revenue results. NorthStar reported growth in revenue, handle and gross margin in Q2.
This followed the company’s reverse takeover of the business by Canadian property business Baden Resources.
Baden, which owns Canadian property business Midway Property, combined with NorthStar Gaming Inc and a wholly owned subsidiary of Baden.
This resulted in the reverse takeover by the former security holders of NorthStar, Baden changing its name to NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc, and the de-listing of Baden common shares from the Canadian Stock Exchange.
