In Canada and the National Hockey League (NHL) has announced the signing of a deal to name the Proline+ online sports wagering brand from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation as its official domestic sportsbetting partner.

The professional ice hockey organization used an official Wednesday press release to detail that the multi-year alliance is due to kick off from Sunday as the state-owned operator sponsors pre-game activities at its Heritage Classic contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres. The NHL also explained that the first-of-its-kind partnership will subsequently run across retail lottery outlets spread throughout Ontario as well as via the digital platform at Proline.ca.

Committed collaboration:

The NHL has seven teams in Canada and disclosed that the arrangement is to also permit the Ontario Lottery and Betting Corporation to utilize its logos while cooperating to bring a range of ‘unique and engaging NHL content’ to users of its Proline.ca service. The New York City-headquartered league pronounced that the pair are to furthermore partner to create a series of digital, retail and social media cross-promotional campaigns that are to encompass ‘special co-branded promotions for sportsbetting enthusiasts’ during select regular season, playoff and Stanley Cup games.

Optimal operation:

Kyle McMann serves as the NHL’s North American Business Development Senior Vice-President and he used the press release to proclaim that his organization, which additionally has 25 teams in the United States, is ‘thrilled’ to have named the Proline+ brand from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation as its ‘first official sportsbetting partner in Canada’.

Read a statement from McMann…

“As a leading gaming entertainment operator for more than four decades with an excellent track record in Ontario, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is an ideal partner for the NHL to begin our transformative entry into this space in Canada and to further engage our avid Canadian fan base.”

Recent reformation:

For his part and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Chief Digital and Strategy Officer, Dave Pridmore, divulged that the online sportsbook at Proline.ca was launched in late-August after the federal government of Canada had passed legislation to legalize single-game sports wagering. The executive stated that the mobile-friendly service additionally comes complete with a range of responsible gambling and educational tools from its PlaySmart program, which has been certified by the highly-acclaimed World Lottery Association.

A statement from Pridmore read…

“This deal is a big win for our valued sports bettors. A partnership with a world-class organization like the NHL will help complement the ultimate sportsbetting experience for hockey fans on Proline+ where our players can execute legal single-event wagers and other unique bets on a sport they love.”