As a day-one licensed operator in Ontario’s regulated online gambling market, PointsBet has accomplished quite a bit in Canadian gaming over the last three years and more. That makes PointsBet Canada CEO Scott Vanderwel well-placed to speak on the state of the industry at SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto from June 17-19.

Vanderwel will speak on a panel entitled To market, to market: where will all the new customers come from? That discussion will look at how operators can differentiate themselves in a crowded Ontario market, as well as a focus on the pathway to entry in Alberta’s upcoming regulated market.

In the lead-up to CGS, Canadian Gaming Business spoke to Vanderwel about Ontario and Alberta, PointsBet’s market position, how it juggles both sports betting and online casino and what he’s looking forward to at the Summit.

CGB: Three years into Ontario’s regulated market, what do you make of the market’s progress when it comes to stated goals like channelization, player protection and expansion of consumer choice?

Vanderwel: Ontario’s iGaming market has shown strong progress since its April 2022 launch. Channelization has been a big win — the vast majority of players are now betting on regulated sites, showing folks do value safe, legal options. That said, there still are some consumers dabbling in unregulated platforms, so there’s room for improvement. Likewise, player protection is in a good spot, with PointsBet and other legal operators prioritizing responsible gaming tools and adhering to stringent regulatory standards. On innovation and consumer choice, the market’s deep slate of regulated operators and sites creates an extremely competitive environment, benefiting consumers by driving diverse sports betting offerings and expanded online casino portfolios. That healthy competition has the market buzzing with variety. Overall, it’s been a great start for iGaming in Ontario, but collectively as an industry we need to keep our foot on the gas and keep the momentum going.

CGB: Is PointsBet happy with its market position in Ontario? What are the company’s goals in the province for the rest of 2025 and beyond?

CGB: I think it’s fair to say PointsBet is pleased with our progress to date in Ontario. In a market with so many competing operators, we’ve managed to carve out a solid spot, showing steady user growth and great feedback on both our sportsbook and casino. For the rest of 2025 and beyond, we’re aiming to keep users engaged with better personalization, further improve our casino offering, and continue leveraging our relationships with local sports leagues and teams to stay true to our promise of being authentically Canadian. We want to remain a premium choice by delivering a top-notch experience that’s all about the customer.

CGB: PointsBet has posted impressive results in sports betting growth and a notable surge in live betting. How has the company seen sports betting habits evolve over the last year?

Vanderwel: Live betting has been a game-changer for us, and as you suggested, it has definitely helped drive our sports betting growth. Today’s sports fan is all about in-play action — people want that added immediate investment, with micro-bets and options tailored to what they’re actively watching. Our tech lets us handle big volumes and roll out unique features, ultimately positioning us to capitalize on this trend. We’re doubling down on both tech and content to match how fans are betting today.

CGB: Ontario is the only market in which PointsBet also offers online casino, and the company has greatly increased its supplier portfolio. How is the company positioning itself to thrive?

Vanderwel: Ontario’s online casino scene is massive, driving ~85% of GGR, so it’s only right that we’ve listened to consumers and have actively invested in our product. We’ve poured a ton of effort into our casino, building out a huge range of games with top suppliers to give players what they love. That investment’s paying off — our casino’s growing fast, even in a crowded market. Going forward, we’re focusing on continuing to make the experience more fun with personalized promos and an even more seamless link between our casino and sportsbook. It’s about keeping players engaged with fresh content and a smooth platform, and I think we have the appropriate strategy to keep gaining ground while growing our sports betting side, too.

CGB: You and PointsBet CEO Sam Swanell have both expressed keen interest in the mooted Alberta market. What opportunity do you see awaiting in that province?

Vanderwel: Alberta’s shaping up to be a big opportunity. It has a lively sports scene, a tech-savvy population, and a passion for sports betting and casino games. With a regulated market possibly launching soon, we see a chance to bring our A-game, just like in Ontario. Alberta’s tech workforce and innovation hubs like Calgary and Edmonton match our focus on building a slick, localized platform. Our Ontario playbook — including partnering locally, and continuously tailoring products — sets us up well. We know how to adapt to what players want and feel ready to work with Alberta’s stakeholders to deliver a terrific iGaming experience.

CGB: Alberta hopes and Ontario progress will be discussed at this year’s Canadian Gaming Summit. What else are you looking forward to diving into at this year’s event?

Vanderwel: Beyond Alberta’s potential and Ontario’s achievements, I’m eager to explore some other key topics with industry peers. I want to dig into how tech, like AI’s potential role in consumer personalization or next-level live betting platforms, is shaking things up. I’m also intrigued by the idea of a national approach to sports betting rules and regulations, which would be a game-changer for advertising consistency across provinces. The Canadian Gaming Summit is always an amazing opportunity to network, reconnect and spark new thinking.