Oakville’s Vanderwel heads up sports betting deal with Raptors, Leafs owner MLSE

PointsBet Canada, headed by Oakville native and CEO Scott Vanderwel, has made a multi-year deal with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) to become the official sportsbook of their sports teams.

The partnership between the Australia-based company and the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Toronto FC (MLS) and the Toronto Marlies (AHL) was announced on Monday.

Vanderwel, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer for PointsBet Canada in July of 2021, previously served as Senior Vice President for Rogers Communications.

With Rogers, he oversaw corporate strategy, operational improvement, and digital operations. He was also involved in the company’s $5.2 billion deal in 2013 for the right to broadcast NHL games across Canada.

“You rarely get the opportunity to partner with an organization that spans across all four professional leagues… and offers year-round entertainment within the sports market in Canada,” Vanderwel said of the deal with MLSE in a news release.

The new deal with MLSE will provide PointsBet Canada with a variety of promotional and media opportunities. That includes digital signage along the Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway and advertising on rink boards at Scotiabank Arena and Coca-Cola Coliseum for all 41 home Leafs and Marlies home games.

PointsBet has also partnered with Curling Canada and the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks.