Mike Mirtl is coming home – and he’s bringing his casino brand, BetRegal, too.
The gaming industry CEO has announced a tentative plan to establish a company headquarters in his hometown of North Bay, Ontario, by 2022.
Currently, BetRegal has offices in Costa Rica, Malta, and Curacao.
But Canada is where he’d like to settle in.
“What I would envision if we would set up some kind of contact centre in North Bay and I could employ [people] from Nipissing University or people from the Canadore Athletic Department, or part-time employees,” said Mirtl, to BayToday.
“That would be my ideal for me: to have some sort of a home base and a place that we call home and where better than in my backyard?
That is my idea, hopes, and expectations.”
BetRegal’s plan for expansion into North Bay
The exact number of employees Mirtl plans to hire remains to be seen.
But, he notes BetRegal currently has roughly 200 employees in its other offices. Those roles include customer contact and support, development and marketing roles.
In North Bay, Mirtl has already created a business relationship with King Sportswear. The company provides promotional materials for BetRegal.
Casino partnerships are also in play to help out the local economy.
BetRegal’s Canadian breakthrough
The latest announcement comes in a string of successes for the international company within Canada.
Earlier this year, the online sportsbook officially launched in the Canadian gaming market. Its free-to-play sports betting platform, BetRegal.net, hit the ground running with two major sponsorship deals.
Firstly, as the official sports gaming partner of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and then as the official title sponsor of the PGA of Canada. Sports legends Damon Allen (CFL), Matt Dunigan (CFL) and Bernie Nicholls (NHL) are on board, too, as BetRegal brand ambassadors.
But to take the next step, Mirtl knows his company must first obtain its full operating license in Canada.
“Ultimately, the idea is to be able to operate our business in Canada,” said Mirtl, who left his banking job 16 years ago for the offshore gaming industry.
“[Being] under license really allows us to spread our wings a little bit, and that is what is exciting for us.”
BetRegal hopes to be licensed in Ontario by the end of 2021.
