PokerStars, FanDuel Strike Deal with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment

Another major story breaks just a few days after Ontario sports betting went launched as PokerStars and FanDuel join forces in a partnership deal with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

It's been a monumental week in iGaming for North America with the legalization of sports betting in Ontario, and such a deal today is further justification on how big this market is set to be amongst the now 31 states in the U.S. that have legalized sports betting.

We’ll run through what this deal means for PokerStars, FanDuel, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

What is the Deal?

This deal is set to be the first in North America that features multiple brands under Flutter Entertainment, owners of PokerStars and FanDuel.

This strategic partnership sees the FanDuel Canada Sportsbook become the official sports betting partner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, just as PokerStars joins as an official gaming partner.

The partnership will witness both integrated into the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment teams that proudly represent nine professional institutions within five different sports or eSports.

This will include Major League Soccer giants Toronto FC, the eMLS equivalent of the soccer club represented by esport athlete, Phillip Balke.

It also includes the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Argonauts, the Toronto Marlies, Toronto FC II, Raptors 905, and the Raptors Uprising Gaming Club.

“The Maple Leafs, Raptors and Toronto FC are pioneering franchises and major pillars in Canadian sports culture,” Dale Hooper, General Manager, FanDuel Canada, said in a news release..

“As we bring FanDuel to Ontario, we want to collaborate with globally recognized enterprises like MLSE to bring unique content experiences to some of Canada’s most dedicated sports fans.”

FanDuel Canada Sportsbook will be going live in the province soon.

“We have epic plans for our community in Canada, and are excitedly looking forward to creating some incredible experiences in our birth country, when we launch very soon,” Tom Warren, PokerStars Marketing Director, said in the release.

“Partnering with MLSE gives us the opportunity to reach passionate fans across Ontario with a wide remit of poker and casino, heighten experiences wherever we can, and be a part of some major winning moments.”

Deal Will Highlight FanDuel’s Presence

Partnering with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment gives FanDuel a presence with the giant of pro sports in the province.

“We are thrilled to partner with Flutter Entertainment, a global leader and one of the most trusted operators in the sports betting industry,” Jordan Vader, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships, MLSE, said in the release.

“As the Online Gaming markets open in Ontario, we have worked hard to find partners who aligned with both our vision for innovation, and our values including a shared commitment to responsible gaming. We look forward to working with Flutter and providing a platform for them to engage with the millions of 19+ Ontario residents who are fans of our teams.”

Flutter Entertainment now has the chance to have these two major brands showcased to some of Canada's most popular teams and loyal supporters.

All of the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment teams will now see advertising and marketing from FanDuel Canada Sportsbook, PokerStars Casino and PokerStars, such as rink board and on-court signage for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.