OpenBet: SIGA deal indicative of Canada's growth

SIGA DEAL INDICATIVE OF CANADA'S GROWTH

Cathryn Lai, OpenBet’s Chief Commercial Officer, discusses the challenges and opportunities she expects to encounter as the sportsbook technology and content supplier grows its presence in the Canadian market.

BY CHARLIE HORNER

As the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) expands its footprint in Canada through an agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), OpenBet is cultivating a long-term relationship with the lottery as its sports betting provider.

Lai noted since she took her new role, the firm has gone ‘to the next level to be at the frontline of driving online and landbased legalized gambling in Canada’.

She explained: “OpenBet is excited to seal another tribe partnership with SIGA, allowing us to be a part of bringing online gambling to the people of Saskatchewan, and we feel we are well-placed to be the region’s sports betting partner of choice.

“There is set to be a lot of innovation in the sports betting space in Canada over the next few years and OpenBet will be at the forefront of that. It’s exciting to be part of an organization with such continued promise.”

OpenBet has enjoyed a long and productive relationship with BCLC which has helped to evolve governmentregulated gambling in North America.

This agreement, Lai explained, will only serve to enhance the relationship between the two parties as they enter another province.

“Partnering with SIGA," she added, "is a testament to the organization’s commitment to being the top performer in a lot of categories in North American gambling. OpenBet has been BCLC’s sports betting platform provider for over a decade, and this move strengthens our relationship further.”

One challenge of this partnership is that consumers in Saskatchewan are not used to sports betting. With sports betting an immature market in North America, and Canada especially, OpenBet intends to show players how sports betting can add to the entertainment value of sports.

“OpenBet’s experience will help newcomers like Saskatchewan to succeed – we were also a partner with BCLC in bringing online gambling to the people of Manitoba, so are well-placed to deliver what is needed,” she noted.

“By moving quickly to understand the nuances of different territories, we can ensure that we’re serving operators, lotteries, and tribes the way they want to be served.

“This means making sure our technology, content, and services are delivered in a personalized way that meets their exact needs. This is especially important when you consider the top sports for bettors; differences in sport and live betting, and the way that plays out, are extremely important for us.”

Lai praised SIGA’s ability to foster a gaming industry in Saskatchewan which has provided invaluable opportunities for local communities and detailed that partnering with BCLC is another move that will have ‘a lasting impact’ in the province with the resulting economic opportunities.

Praising the work that the association has done, Lai remarked: “SIGA has been a positive driving force for Saskatchewan since 1995, established as a non-profit entity to create opportunities and give back to local communities.

“The organization is dedicated to investing in economic opportunities that have a lasting impact, and this deal with BCLC represents just that. We’re proud to have formed another tribal partnership alongside SIGA.”

Moving forward, OpenBet also revealed several plans to expand its Canadian operations further, with the SIGA deal displaying ‘evidence of our continued efforts’ in the country.

Yet Lai is seeking further Canadian growth, noting that the firm is ‘ready to serve and help operators’ across the country.

She concluded: “OpenBet has a very strong historic presence in Canada, primarily with BCLC and also LotoQuébec, and can continue to replicate the successes we have seen over the years. We were the first regulated sportsbook platform provider to offer singles betting in Canada, and the recent SIGA deal is evidence of our continued efforts.

“We also work with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and we need to explore more opportunities to work with the other jurisdictions as well.”

"OPENBET’S EXPERIENCE WILL HELP NEWCOMERS LIKE SASKATCHEWAN TO SUCCEED"