PointsBet increases curling foothold with Bottcher partnership
Ontario-licensed operator adds to Canada-first strategy with Olympic champions partnership
PointsBet has agreed a deal to become the official betting partner of the newly formed multi-championship-winning Canadian curling team, Team Bottcher.
Team Bottcher consists of world, national, and Olympic champions including Ben Hebert, Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and team leader Brendan Bottcher.
The partnership is understood to run for three years and will include the teams run to the 2026 Winter Olympics, which takes place in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Team Bottcher skipper, Brendan Bottcher, said he was thrilled to be signing with PointsBet, citing the firm’s pedigree in Canada.
“Having a world-class operator like PointsBet Canada on our team will not only help us in our pursuit of championships, but also help us connect in innovative ways with our nation’s curling fans,” Bottcher added.
From the outset of sports betting in Canada, PointsBet has pursued a ‘Canada first’ strategy, inking deals with Canada-facing sports entities as a way of creating a localized marketing approach.
In October 2021, PointsBet Canada agreed a long-term partnership with Curling Canada, which has seen the firm become the body’s official sportsbook partner and title sponsor of Curling Canada’s Season of Champions event.
The Toronto-based operator has also signed deals with the Ottawa Redblacks, Alpine Canada, and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, as well as agreeing partnerships with the Trailer Park Boys and the NHL Alumni Association.
“As one of the few locally based Canadian companies, we know how important it is for our industry to not only engage fans, but grow grassroot participants,” PointsBet Canada CEO Scott Vanderwel said.
“We are excited about our long-term partnership with Curling Canada and Team Bottcher as it will help us to continue our pursuit of growing the game of curling,” Vanderwel added.