iGaming turnkey solutions provider Soft2Bet has entered a strategic brand licensing agreement with WPT Royale, an official licensee and partner of the World Poker Tour (WPT), securing the rights to use the WPT Royale brand for a new online casino and sportsbook in Ontario.
Under the agreement, Soft2Bet will develop, launch, and operate the WPT Royale-branded platform through its Ontario operating license and proprietary technology stack. The launch remains subject to regulatory approvals, with the company targeting a rollout in the coming months after completing the required filings.
The new offering is intended specifically for Ontario players. Soft2Bet said it will manage all operational and technical aspects of the platform under its existing Ontario gaming license.
The operator said the platform will run on its proprietary technology and include responsible gaming tools designed to support player protection. The casino and sportsbook will also incorporate Soft2Bet’s Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA).
Introduced in 2023, MEGA is used by operators in multiple markets and provides gamification features, customized player experiences, and a player retention model.
The WPT brand has operated in poker for decades through international tournament series, televised events in more than 150 countries and territories, and online and mobile products.
Nearly 20 years before the introduction of WPT Royale, the World Poker Tour expanded the game’s global audience through major tournaments and helped establish players including Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, and Mike Sexton as recognized figures in the poker industry.
Soft2Bet said the agreement gives the company the right to launch and operate the WPT Royale brand in Ontario while using WPT Royale’s intellectual property and brand recognition as it enters the provincial market.
“This engagement with the WPT Royale is a significant milestone that reinforces Soft2Bet’s commercial standing across North America,” said Andrew Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer of Soft2Bet.
“Starting with our launch in Ontario, we are demonstrating how our proprietary technology and operating expertise can power global brands in highly regulated environments. This is a clear indicator of our business strength and long-term trajectory in the region,” Cochrane added.
Quyen Nguyen of WPT Royale said the company selected Soft2Bet after reviewing multiple candidates.
“We’re excited to partner with Soft2Bet for the launch of the WPT Royale brand in Ontario, a key regulated gaming market for WPT Royale. Following a competitive evaluation process, Soft2Bet stood out through its technology, operational expertise, and proven track record,” said Quyen Nguyen at WPT Royale.
“WPT Royale represents an important expansion beyond poker, bringing the trusted WPT experience into casino and sportsbook verticals while delivering a new entertainment destination for Players,” Nguyen added.
The planned launch adds another Ontario brand to Soft2Bet’s North American operations.
The company already powers ToonieBet in Ontario, which serves as an Official Sports Betting Partner and an Official Online Casino Partner of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The WPT Royale project forms part of its strategy to introduce localized gaming brands across Ontario, Canada, and the North American market.