Hard Rock’s Ontario License Fuels Fresh Talk of PointsBet Canada Purchase

Hard Rock Digital is grabbing attention in the Canadian gambling world as talk grows that it might buy PointsBet Canada. A gambling industry insider says the Florida company has applied to get an iGaming license in Ontario. Many see this as laying the groundwork to make a big purchase.

Betr Proposes $232M Takeover of PointsBet, Eyes Sale of PointsBet Canada

This news comes as Betr Entertainment steps up its push to acquire PointsBet Holdings Ltd., an Australian gaming company. Betr, which already owns almost 20% of PointsBet’s shares, has put forward a new offer worth about $232 million. The proposal, made up of cash and shares, challenges an earlier AU$350 million ($226 million) bid from Japanese firm MIXI.

At the core of Betr’s new proposal is a plan to sell off PointsBet Canada. People in the industry are talking about Hard Rock as the possible buyer if the sale goes through. Someone close to the talks provided information to Casino.org that Hard Rock’s application for an Ontario license fits with this idea since it seems to focus on getting PointsBet Canada’s customers. However, neither Hard Rock Digital nor PointsBet Canada has said anything about this.

Making things more unclear, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) said it is working on several operator applications right now, but added that Hard Rock has not officially signed up yet. Still, we know that license applications in Ontario take a few months, which suggests that any real progress might still be in the future.

Hard Rock Poised to Expand in North America with Potential PointsBet Canada Purchase

Betr’s first plan ran into trouble because people worried about how it was set up and about its use of debt. Even with these doubts, the better offer is now back in focus and seems to be picking up steam due to the plan to sell off the Canadian branch.

If Hard Rock buys PointsBet Canada, it would grow the brand’s online presence in North America. Hard Rock Digital, the internet part of Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, already works from several spots across North America, including an office in Toronto.

Ontario’s iGaming scene, with 49 licensed operators and 84 active gaming websites, keeps drawing global attention. If Hard Rock joins, it could change the game in Canada’s biggest province.As talks go on and the licensing process moves forward, the industry will keep a close eye. What Betr, MIXI, and Hard Rock do next might set the course for online gaming in Canada.