iGaming giant Hard Rock seeks Ontario license, sparking speculation about potential PointsBet Canada acquisition.
Written on: May 3rd, 2025, 10:29am.
Last updated: May 3rd, 2025, 10:29am.
Author: Mr. Mark Keast Brushes up on: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC
Hear ye, hear ye! It's time for a juicy scoop from the betting world!
It appears that Hard Rock Digital, the iGaming wing of the iconic Hard Rock International, has thrown its hat in the ring for an igaming license in Canada's bustling province of Ontario. If you're wondering where this tidbit comes from, it's straight from an insider in the gaming industry.
Now, let's dive into a bidding war between Betr Entertainment and the Japanese giant MIXI over purchasing PointsBet, an Australian company connected to PointsBet Canada. Betr already owns a chunk (19.9%) of PointsBet and following their merger with BlueBet Holdings, they've snatched the BlueBet brand.
In February, PointsBet's board announced that they were accepting MIXI's takeover bid, but recent reports indicate that Betr has sweetened the deal with a new bid worth AU $360 million (approximately USD $232.4 million), consisting of cash and shares. This might just be enough to sway the board's decision away from MIXI.
Here's the exciting part: According to our source, part of this new bid from Betr involves offloading PointsBet Canada. Rumor has it thatHard Rock Digital could be the lucky winner. Our industry contact confirmed thatHard Rock Digital is indeed applying for a license in Ontario and that this deal would go down if Betr secures ownership of PointsBet Australia and offloads the Canadian business. Top secret stuff, right? Unfortunately, neither PointsBet Canada nor Hard Rock Digital has made any official comments yet.
Keeping a keen eye on this spectacle, the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) has confirmed that they have received applications from igaming operators, but they've neither confirmed nor denied any involvement fromHard Rock Digital at this point. So, stay tuned for more updates!
Just a heads up: Hard Rock Digital is an established player in the iGaming and sports betting scene, with ventures like launching brand-new games and partnering with famous ambassadors. They've even planted their flag in Ontario soil, courtesy of the recentlyopened Hard Rock Hotel in London, Ontario. But it's still unclear how this will translate to their potential acquisition of PointsBet Canada.
So there you have it, folks! A tantalizing tale of bids, deals, and potential acquisitions in the iGaming world. Keep your chips ready for more twists and turns in this rollercoaster ride!
- Hard Rock Digital, a division of Hard Rock International, is reportedly vying for an igaming license in Canada's Ontario province.
- Betr Entertainment is engaged in a bidding war with Japanese giant MIXI over the acquisition of PointsBet, an Australian company connected to PointsBet Canada.
- PointsBet's board previously announced acceptance of MIXI's takeover bid, but recent reports suggest a new AU $360 million bid from Betr may shift the decision.
- This new bid from Betr includes offloading PointsBet Canada, with Hard Rock Digital potential recipients according to industry sources.
- Hard Rock Digital is currently applying for an igaming license in Ontario, though the AGCO has not confirmed or denied their participation.
- Established in iGaming and sports betting, Hard Rock Digital has ventures such as launching games, partnering with ambassadors, and a physical presence in Ontario through their Hard Rock Hotel in London, Ontario.
- The future acquisition of PointsBet Canada by Hard Rock Digital remains uncertain, as neither company has made any official comments yet.
