11/26/2025
🔍 Industry Insights from the Catapult Conference: Sport Betting & Wagering Panel
The sport betting and wagering industry is evolving at a rapid pace—and according to leaders from PointsBet Canada, FanDuel, Better Collective, and Woodbine Entertainment, there’s never been a more exciting time to be part of it.
The panelists, all of whom came from diverse professional backgrounds—tech, political science, government, packaged goods, media, and home services—highlighted a shared theme: you don’t need to start in sports to build a successful career in this industry but someone with a background in sport could have an advantage over others.
🚀 A Growing, Opportunity-Rich Sector
• Jessica (PointsBet Canada) spoke about transitioning from a decade in tech into gaming, calling it the best career decision she ever made and emphasizing that “the sky is the limit with this industry.”
• Brittany (FanDuel) echoed the same sentiment, noting that the industry is “a big realm of opportunity” and one where ambition and awareness stand out.
• Adam (Better Collective) and Adrian (Woodbine) shared how the sports media and wagering landscapes are rapidly expanding, providing new ways to engage fans and modernize traditional wagering experiences.
Despite its controversies, Canada’s regulated system makes it critical for professionals to understand the compliance and integrity standards shaping the space. Companies like PointsBet and FanDuel have invested heavily in responsible gaming and compliance, with these teams representing the largest internal departments.
🎯 What’s Driving the Industry Forward
• Increased fan engagement through integrated sports and wagering content
• A shift from traditional advertising to digital-first media strategies
• Growing focus on analytics, customer understanding, and optimizing product experiences
• Expansion of partnerships, marketing, communications, and media operations
• The steady rise of entertainment and culture-based betting
The audience reinforced just how mainstream sports betting has become today—almost everyone participates in some way.
💼 Career Paths & Hiring Trends
All panelists agreed: this is a growth industry.
Teams are expanding in:
• Marketing & partnerships
• Communications & media
• Trading (odd-setting)
• Data analytics
• Wagering development
• Customer service (with fast internal mobility)
• Promotions & product optimization
FanDuel’s Toronto office grew from 5 to 60 people; PointsBet’s now sits at around 70; Better Collective employs 50 nationwide.
The message was clear: roles are diverse, and the talent pipeline is wide open.
💡 Advice for Job Seekers
• Be ambitious, be eager, be informed.
• Understand the industry—read press releases, follow trends, and get familiar with igaming’s role in the sports ecosystem.
• Customize your résumé and show you’ve done your homework.
• Face-to-face connections, like those at conferences and networking events, give you an edge.
As Jessica put it, “We’re in such a growing industry that we can shape it. We are at the forefront.”
Stay tuned for information on the next Catapult Sport Esport Career Conference at www.catapultconference.ca.
