Thunderkick expands Ontario footprint with PointsBet slots integration

• Stockholm-based studio adds PointsBet to growing list of Canadian operator partnerships.
• Initial roster includes Carnival Queen 2, Midas Golden Touch 3 and Esqueleto Explosivo 3.
• PointsBet’s Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs partnerships provide extensive brand exposure.

Thunderkick has struck a content supply agreement with PointsBet in Ontario, marking another step in the independent studio’s North American expansion strategy.

The deal follows 18 months of steady growth in the Canadian market since Thunderkick secured regulatory approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Founded in Australia in 2017, PointsBet established operations in Ontario when the province’s regulated iGaming market launched in April 2022.

Strategic alignment with Canadian identity

The Stockholm-based studio entered the Canadian market in mid-2024 after obtaining provisional licensing from Ontario regulators.

Svante Sahlström, chief commercial officer at Thunderkick, emphasized the cultural fit between the two companies.

“Since its Canadian launch, PointsBet has forged relationships rooted in the country’s cultural identity, which firmly aligns with Thunderkick’s core philosophy of going deeper, not wider,” Sahlström stated.

PointsBet’s extensive brand visibility through its partnerships provides Thunderkick with access to millions of sports fans across Ontario.

The operator secured a high-profile agreement with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, becoming an official sports betting partner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts.

The multi-year agreement includes rink board branding at Maple Leafs home games, courtside LED signage at Raptors games, and field signage at Toronto FC and Argonauts matches.

Initial content rollout

The partnership launches with three flagship titles from Thunderkick’s portfolio: Carnival Queen 2, Midas Golden Touch 3 and Esqueleto Explosivo 3. The studio plans to expand the content offering with additional releases from its wider catalogue in the coming months.

Brooke Hilton, head of casino at PointsBet Canada, framed the integration as part of the operator’s differentiation strategy.

“PointsBet has made a point of distinguishing itself from the crowd, from our local on-the-ground presence in Ontario to our premium online casino portfolio,” Hilton stated.

“We strive to partner with the very best, and when it comes to casino content, the addition of Thunderkick’s popular slots will enable us to continue providing players across the province with diverse, impactful gaming experiences.”

The Esqueleto Explosivo franchise has emerged as one of Thunderkick’s most recognizable properties.

The third installment features a 5×5 cluster pays mechanic with cascading symbols and multipliers, maintaining the Day of the Dead aesthetic that defined the series. The game carries an RTP of 94.22% with maximum win potential capped at 7,500 times stake.

Ontario market development

Thunderkick’s North American strategy centers on building operator relationships rather than pursuing rapid market expansion. The studio maintains offices in Stockholm and Malta, employing more than 80 staff who handle all aspects of game development in-house.

Ontario represents Canada’s largest iGaming jurisdiction with approximately 15 million residents. The province generated $814 million in sports betting handle during November 2024.

PointsBet entered the market as the province opened to commercial operators in April 2022, accepting its first wager 50 seconds after market launch.

The operator competes in a crowded Ontario market alongside FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, BetMGM and approximately 40 other licensed platforms. PointsBet differentiates through local presence and premium casino content curation rather than competing primarily on promotional offers.

Controlled expansion approach

The partnership demonstrates ongoing content consolidation in Ontario’s maturing iGaming market. Operators increasingly differentiate through exclusive content deals and curated game libraries.

Casino content providers have responded by targeting specific operator segments, with independent developers like Thunderkick focusing on selective partnerships with operators sharing similar brand positioning.

The Canadian market represents a strategic priority for European content suppliers seeking North American distribution. Ontario’s framework provides regulatory clarity compared to fragmented US state-by-state licensing, making it an attractive entry point for studios planning transatlantic expansion.

Sahlström confirmed Ontario serves as a foundation for broader North American ambitions, though Thunderkick maintains its “deeper, not wider” philosophy.