PointsBet Brings Scott Vanderwel as CEO to Spearhead Canadian Operations

The Canadian sports betting industry is fast approaching, with PointsBet reinforcing its boots-on-the-ground in anticipation of the official market legalization. 

PointsBet Commits More People to Future Canadian Operations 

PointsBet continues to expand quickly across the board with a new hire to cover the soon-to-launch Canadian sports gambling market and the company’s local division. Scott Vanderwel, an industry veteran from Rogers Communications, will now step in as the company’s chief executive officer (CEO) up north. 

His appointment comes at a crucial time for the Canadian betting industry after Bill C-218 was approved last month by the upper chamber and now awaits royal assent before it can become law. 

After several big announcements this week, PointsBet is actively expanding its C-level team to bring more hands-on expertise. The company brought in former Bet365 and Rank Group executive Aaron O’Sullivan and tasked him with spearheading the company’s online growth.

At the same time, PointsBet managed to break ground in Arizona through a Cliff Castle Casino Hotel partnership. Vanderwel will continue to bring a positive change to the brand’s name and oversee PointsBet Canada’s launch using the best practices from the US market.

This includes both marketing and technological rollout when PointsBet gets an official go-ahead. With a population of 38 million people, Canada can prove an auspicious market for US sportsbooks that are prepared to export their expertise across the border.

Canada’s Potential Is Appreciated by US Brands 

The Canadian sports betting industry is valued between $1.25 billion and $2 billion, and the market is gathering a lot of momentum. Luckbox and Rivalry.gg, two esports betting companies that have decided to expand into the traditional betting space, have both lauded the legislative efforts to replace the dominant offshore gambling industry with one regulated by provinces.

Commenting on his appointment, Vanderwel had this to add: “The sports-betting industry has demonstrated how it can entertain consumers, engage sports fans and deliver quality products, and PointsBet has been at the forefront of doing it the right way.”

He was confident that he would be able to build a modern, responsible, and “distinctly Canadian” operation. Vanderwel is joining a strong team of PointsBet executives who have been handpicked by the company to spearhead its Canadian operations, including COO Nic Sulsky, who worked at Monkey Knife Fight, and Chantal Cipriano as VP of legal compliance.