The Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced a multiyear partnership with online sportsbook and casino BetRegal. Under the terms of the deal, BetRegal will become the Official Sport Gaming Partner of the CFL.

BetRegal, a Canadian company that was launched in Europe, is looking to expand in its home country following the legalization of single-game sports betting in Canada. It is currently partnered with soccer team Dundalk FC of the Irish Premier League; however, its partnership with the CFL, which takes effect from the beginning of the new season on Aug. 5, marks the firm’s first major North American deal.

CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said: “The sports gaming landscape is changing rapidly in Canada, and to be able to partner with BetRegal, who has international experience, and the expertise is crucial for growing the league’s business going forward. With BetRegal’s Canadian roots, we can’t wait to collaborate and engage through the Canadian game with our fans across the country.”

Michael Mirtl, CEO of BetRegal, said in a statement: “The Canadian Football League is one of the most iconic brands in all of professional sports and we are thrilled to be partnering with a league so rooted in Canadian culture.

“The evolving regulatory landscape around sports betting in Canada presents an amazing opportunity to enhance the CFL fan experience. As fellow Canadians, we are excited to apply our decades of experience in this sector to help educate Canadian sports fans on the sports gaming experience, with a particular focus on responsible gaming.”

Proline+ Announced In Ontario

Canadian sports betting regulations will be implemented and operated on a province-by-province basis, similarly to how each state operates sports betting within its boundaries in the USA. In this regard, Ontario sports betting is shaping up to be the first province to launch after the recent introduction of Proline+ by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

This development is a sure sign that a date for the official launch of single-game sports betting by the Canadian government can’t be far away. Currently, the only form of sports betting that is legal in the Canadian market is parlay betting.

The Proline+ deal is an indication that the OLG intends to compete for Ontario sports bettors with the major online betting sites and betting apps when they enter the Ontario market. Many of the main players, including DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, are expected to do so at the earliest opportunity.

While Ontario is pursuing a more open marketplace for operators, it remains to be seen whether the other Canadian provinces follow suit. The regulations for Manitoba sports betting and British Columbia sports betting, for example, may be very different from Ontario.

RELATED: CFL Grey Cup Odds, Top Contenders & Best Bets To Back

The CFL kicks off its 2021 season on Thursday when the defending Grey Cup Champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a rematch of the 107th Grey Cup.

Opening Weekend also features the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the BC Lions on Friday, Aug. 6 and a doubleheader on Saturday, Aug. 7, with the Calgary Stampeders welcoming the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Elks hosting the Ottawa Redblacks.