Rivalry goes live with esports betting mobile app in Ontario

Canadian betting and media company Rivalry has launched its esports wagering mobile app in Ontario. The app promises “the region’s largest selection of esports to bet on,” including popular games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike; as well as wagering on mobile titles including Call of Duty: Mobile, Free Fire, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. 

The news arrives as esports betting continues to grow in the Canadian province, says Rivalry, with the firm reporting a 15% average month-over-month growth rate in the region since acquiring its license in April 2022. But for those not into esports, users can also wager on a range of traditional sports, including football, soccer, basketball, and more.

"Mobile betting is a significant addition for our Ontario operations and core audience of Millennial and Gen Z consumers that prefer the flexibility of betting on their phones," said Steven Salz, Rivalry Co-founder and CEO. "Launching a mobile app adds an important layer of accessibility to our product, increasing our addressable market in Ontario, and allowing us to bring esports betting to more customers in the region and ultimately grow the category."

The firm describes its mobile app as built “with digitally native users in mind,” using in-house technology to customize the betting experience for a demographic with “unique consumption and entertainment preferences.” It also incorporates elements from gaming culture into its product design to engage the younger generations.

The company expects its mobile app will drive an increase in player acquisition and engagement among its core audience of Millennial and Gen Z bettors, which represent 97% of its active users. The iOS mobile app is now available to Ontario residents 19+ and can be downloaded on the Apple App Store.

In Ontario 🇨🇦? A human being? Own an iPhone? Download our app today📱https://t.co/bQaejfwXAz

— Steven Salz (@StevenSalz) May 31, 2023

"We are engaging a demographic with unique consumption habits and betting preferences," Salz continued. "This is a generation that expects more from the products, entertainment, and brands they consume, and we've customized our online betting experience to match that. Our differentiated user experience continues to act as a catalyst for our company, and we're excited to bring this offering to the palm of our customers' hands."

The launch also follows the release this week of Rivalry’s first-quarter report. During the first three months of the year, the company cut losses by 50% as revenues reached a new all-time high. Revenue amounted to a record CAD 12 million ($8.8 million), growing a staggering 151% on a yearly basis and 27% from Q4 2022. Results were driven by an all-time high betting handle of CAD 120.2 million ($88.6 million), up 199% year-over-year and 43% sequentially.

“Rivalry’s content and brand strategy are setting the industry precedent for betting entertainment, allowing us to acquire customers profitably and engage them through authentic touchpoints without having to consistently deploy additional marketing and promotional spend for growth,” said Salz. “And it is this approach that is generating breakthrough industry economics, user engagement, and charting a path to profitability for the company.”